The little boy looked deep in thought as he sat on Santa's knee.  He was unlike all the other children in the department store who we preoccupied with clutching at gifts their parents couldn't really afford, or were screaming for toys that they didn't really want or need.

Just looking at him Santa knew there was something "special" about him.  He had the sense of being much older than his tender age of 7 should ever have portrayed - as well as an aura of compassion that seemed to fill his heart to overflowing.

"So what would you like from Santa this year?"  He said smiling kindly at the young boy who called himself Kevin.  Half expecting the usual pleads of a new I-phone, laptop or games console.  Imagine his surprise then when all Kevin asked for was that his parents would listen to him a little more.  He had so much to tell them, but they never seemed to listen to him properly. 

They'd always interrupt him or cut him off mid-sentence without bothering to think how he must feel when they did that to him.  Just because he was a child didn't mean he had no heart or feelings of his own to speak of.  What they had to say was always more important than his own need to be listened to, but in reality, he needed to be heard just as much as them and wanted them to see that for themselves.

Santa smiled and said that grown ups had a habit of speaking a little more than they ought to.  But God had given them two ears and only one mouth as he wanted things a little differently himself.  Kevin seemed to pick up slightly when Santa said that so he asked him if there was anything else he'd like. 

Kevin nodded and said he's like his mom to be a little happier than she often is.  She doesn't seem to realize that how she feels affects us all.  When she's mad we've got to walk around on egg shells for fear of upsetting her, of if dad's late back home from work we try to become invisible or she'll vent out her frustration on us even when we've done nothing wrong.  It shouldn't have to be like that.

Santa nodded his agreement and told him that it was indeed important to remember how you feel and act can have an impact on everyone around you in one way or another, so it was important to try and make that a positive thing rather than a negative one.  That's why it's always so important to smile at strangers and say please and thank you. 

The little boy agreed and told him that he did that as much as he could.  Santa knew that already though.  He also told Santa that he was much thinner in person than he thought he'd be and that he looked really good in red. Then he took out a little wrapped up package that brought a slight tear to Santa's eye.  Santa thanked him for his complements and commented that he wished everyone was as thoughtful when the came to see him. 

Sadly, most people only think of themselves and this was the first time, in such a long time, than anyone had ever thought of giving him a gift.  They mostly just selfishly asked him for stuff.  The more expensive the better in their eyes, but the true gift of receiving is what you feel inside when you happily and willing give to others.  Especially those most in need!

The little boy thanked Santa for his time and then stepped down as he wanted other people to get as much time with Santa as he had.  It was only after he'd gone that Santa actually realized Kevin hadn't asked him for anything expensive, hi-tech or gadgetry. In fact nothing he'd asked for actually cost a penny to give which, surprisingly, few of the best gifts ever do.  Gifts like a handwritten note to express your thanks to someone, or the gift of affection - be that a warm hug, a loving kiss or a gentle pat on the back.

It could even be a random act of kindness that is given without ever being asked or expected of you.  Simply because; it feels like the right thing to do at the time!  Such as offering a stranger a lift in heavy rain or giving up your seat to someone elderly on the bus.

It was then that Santa decided to untie the little blue bow that held the little package together that Kevin had kindly given him.  When he did he found it was a small collection of hand written jokes that were written with the intention of putting a smile on Santa's face throughout the year.  He couldn't have asked for anything nicer if he'd tried.  For the gift of laughter is one of the most precious of all, that's why it's meant to be shared with as many people as possible.  Tears of joy trickled down Santa's face at the thought of Kevin, the little boy who have him so much and asked for very little in return.

Hopefully, if you're reading this right now, you might try to emulate Kevin's example by trying to give a little more than we expect to get from life. That little boy who had the sense of being much older than his tender age of 7 should ever have portrayed, definitely was.  For he had (and shared) an abundance of the oldest and most treasured gift of all, the gift of love!  One of the few things that keep on growing the more you pass it along.

(C) Charles Anthony McFaulds