"When it seems the magic slipped away...We find it all again on Christmas Day..."Believe, from The Polar Express, music by Alan Silvestri.
12-Birds Gotta Fly, Fish Gotta Talk
For many people all over the world, Christmas is a wonderful time of year. It means getting the newest toy in the toy store, or a brand-new jewel to show off, or some new sporting equipment. Christmas, though, is more than just the new things under a great big tree covered with lights and ornaments, and way more than two weeks off from school. It means spending the day with people you care for — Your parents who raised you from birth, siblings, those crazy aunts and uncles and grandparents with a million stories, even six people you got to know on a little isle somewhere in the Pacific.
Willy Gilligan was amazed. The castaways had decided to keep up their spirits by decorating a bamboo tree with seashells and seaweed. Small coconuts were their pretty ball ornaments.
They all laughed gaily as they wished for stuff to be put under their Christmas tree. The Skipper wanted a thick, juicy steak, and Ginger wanted Cary Grant. "I wish we could be rescued," he said, and wished it with all his heart...
XXX
The bamboo Christmas tree looked dull and dreary now, though, as darkness settled in.
The seven castaways watched as Santa's sleigh disappeared into the night sky, and Gilligan suddenly had an idea. He disappeared into the supply hut and came back with a tray and seven glasses. The others turned as he cleared his throat.
"Merry Christmas, everyone. Santa is right, we should be thankful we have only been here a couple of months and were able to get along so well, I know I'm grateful to have met you all," he said.
The castaways smiled and each of them took a glass.
"Merry Christmas, Gilligan," they all chorused.
"I guess we should get to bed, then," the Professor said, as the silence drifted in.
"Or we could open presents?" Gilligan suggested.
"What presents, Gilligan?" Mary Ann asked.
Gilligan smiled and darted off to his hut. He came back holding his sea bag.
"These presents, Mary Ann. I wrapped them in seaweed, it was the best thing I could find," Gilligan said, and took out six seaweed-wrapped items and handed them out.
"Oh, wow, Gilligan — you didn't have to—" Skipper started, and Gilligan shrugged.
"It's Christmas, big buddy. A day to give. Open them... please," Gilligan said, and looking at each other, the castaways tore off the seaweed to find wooden plaques.
"World's smartest man, a real brain," the Professor read his plaque out loud, the first to speak.
Gilligan nodded. "Yeah, I hope I spelled everything right."
"The best baker in the world," Oh, Gilligan, you're so sweet," Mary Ann spoke up next, tears falling from her eyes at the simple but beautiful gift.
"Prettiest and greatest actress, you'll make it to Broadway." Thanks, Gilligan," said Ginger, smiling.
"To the richest man in dollars, cents, and warmth," spelled out Mr. Howell's gift.
"A rich woman, with a rich heart," read Mrs. Howell's
"The best big buddy ever!" the Skipper read his plaque last. "Gilligan, you didn't have to do this," Skipper said, and Gilligan shook his head.
"I wanted to, Skipper," Gilligan insisted again, and all the castaways smiled.
"Thank you, Gilligan. I will hang this up straight away," the Professor said. He went over to Gilligan and held out his hand. Gilligan looked at it at first, but then smiled and shook it.
"Your welcome, Professor," he said, as the two girls went over and hugged him from both sides.
"Come on Ginger, let's hang up our signs, too," Mary Ann said, and they darted off. The Howells went to their hut as well after thanking Gilligan.
The Skipper strolled into the hut he shared with his first mate, and Gilligan followed.
"Skipper, did you like your present?" he asked.
"Yes, Gilligan. Now you should get some sleep — big day tomorrow," Skipper answered. He had his back to Gilligan and was grabbing stuff from his sea chest. He tossed it in his sailor bag, and hurried out. Gilligan shrugged but climbed into his hammock:
Dear Diary,
Its crismas eve and wer still stuk here. I wish we wer off. anuthor iland was recud. they ben there elevun years, diary, I hop we arent that long. I mad castaways placks I hop they liked it, they huried off quicky, I hop I get presints from Santa. He cam to the iland today. says we should be greatful were here I agrees, we gots water, food and wer not in the water, plus were freinds. Im glad there my freinds.
Gilligan
Christmas morning, Gilligan strolled to breakfast to find a seaweed wrapped package at his place at the table. The others smiled as he opened it.
"World's greatest little buddy, and friend," he read the wooden plaque. "Thanks, Skipper!"
"You're very welcome, Gilligan. Merry Christmas, little buddy!"