and sister were eating beans and bologna sandwiches when he came into the kitchen. He asked his father why no lights and father said, with a mouthful of beans, "We're saving on the power bill son. You can do your homework down here in the kitchen. I've turned the breakers off to all he upstairs except the bathroom. Besides, bedrooms are to sleep in and you don't need light to sleep."
This economizing is sure no fun, Joe thought, as he went back to his room to get his school backpack. Well, he'd no excuse to not do his homework.
A week before Christmas found Joe with Tyler near the burn barrel. A soft snow was falling making the Christmas trees look decorated while waiting for a home. Tyler was the only person on duty. He said, "All the scouts had something better to do than hang out here at the lot loading up trees to the buyers. By the way, you have a tree yet?"
Joe lowered his head and said, "Not yet and my mother decorated a floor lamp to look like a tree. My sister ran to her dark room crying. My brother sat on the couch popping pimples laughing his head off. I was trying to help my mother."
"As you can see Joe, we've only a few left. I'll only been here the next two days and then I have to go north on business."
"I'll see you tomorrow Tyler. I'll count my piggy bank and see how much I've got. Maybe I'll have enough for a tree," Joe said looking at the remaining scraggly left over trees.
With a flashlight Joe counted his piggy bank. He came up with $4.78. He'd forgotten to ask how much a tree cost. Well, tomorrow was another day.
The next evening he ran to the lot. Tyler was by the burn barrel. He smiled and waved at Joe. Joe came running when the walk light turned green.
"Good evening young feller," said Tyler.
"I've got $4.78 Tyler. Is that enough for a tree," asked Joe looking up at Tyler see his warm eyes looking down on him.
"My heaves yes Joe. You can take your pick. Hey, I think there was a nice small one that would be easy for you to carry." Tyler found a short five foot noble fir that was lovely. "Here let me help you put that sharp needle tree on your shoulder. Now don't forget tomorrow is my last day. Come here directly after school as I've a small present for you."
"I promise Tyler. I'll be here for sure," said Joe.
When Joe arrived home with the tree, his father and mother were both home. Both parents were shocked and then told Joe how happy the tree made them feel. Joe too, was happy. They took the decorations off the floor lamp and transferred to the real evergreen tree. For the next few hours the Smiths' were very happy.
After school the next day, Joe ran all the way to the Christmas tree lot. Tyler was sitting on a chair by his red truck. "Hi Joe and Merry Christmas," said Tyler.
Joe was out of breath, but said, "Merry Christmas to you too. Tyler.
Tyler handed Joe a Christmas decorated bag with handles. Inside was small box. He said, "A small gift for you Joe and your family,"
"Thanks Tyler. I'll open it Christmas morning. I'm happy to have met you sir. I hope to see you next year?"
"I'm here every year Joe. Now I must be off to take care of my other business. Bye Joe Smith."
On Christmas Eve, mother brought home from work her Christmas bonus. Ten cheese burger and fries. No coke. The whole family sat around the nice Christmas tree eating a very rare treat indeed. A few presents were wrapped nicely and father said, "I sure hope the New Year coming is better than this year."
Joe thought, how could having no money in your pocket, no TV, no lights to read by, nothing to eat but mustard sandwiches and burned beans, get any worse. He'd learned a new phrase: rock bottom. His mother said they all looked like rag muffins; whatever that means.
Christmas morning came early that year for Joe Smith. He ran downstairs in his pajamas to see what his friend Tyler had given him. He was the only one up at this early hour. Joe tore open the paper and inside was a small hardwood box with his name on it. He opened it up and a Christmas card stared back at him. He opened and it said:
Merry Christmas Joe Smith and Family,
I hope this small gift will relieve some of the burden of tough times.
There are some guidelines to follow, but reasonable people will not find
much trouble following the requirement. Joe Smith is entitled to half of
the total funds. He's a good boy. After he graduates college, he'll be
rather successful.
Enclosed you'll find a contract to sign. If it's broken then all funds are
automatically forfeit. Merry Christmas,
Santa [Tyler] Claus
Joe looked inside the box and saw two checks. One had his name on it and Joe had a little trouble with all the zeros. Mother later, after she feinted, told him that it was a check for 500,000 dollars. The other check was for the same amount.
Later Joe was told that the trustee explained the requirements. The list wasn't long, but children under 21 years of age couldn't own a cell phone. The computer was game forbidden with a special block. Grades had to be 80% or above. TV time was two hours a day. And there were a few other things for the parents to abide by. Overall if you lived your life correctly, according to the contract, which by the way was tax free, you had the help that you wished for.
As usual, Joe didn't understand all the vocabulary that was written or explained to him. What he did know, after going shopping, he had a warm coat, pants that came down to the top of his foot, new socks and warm shirts. Also, he had his light back on near his bed. Joe, with his new pencil and notepaper, was busy writing a letter to Tyler thanking him for the warm clothes.
Joe told Tyler he was saving his allowance for a tree next year. It took Joe a week to write the letter and with his mother's help, mailed it to the North Pole.
A few weeks later, a letter came for Joe Smith. The return address was the North Pole.
Who said there isn't a Santa Claus?
The End
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