THE BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT IN THE WORLD
1. The Best Christmas Present in the World | |
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There are some dates or periods of time in the history of the world that are so significant that every one knows and remembers them. Echoes of Christmas 1914 in the trenches call to the present day when a letter found by chance in an antique desk brings one soldier's experience hauntingly to life. It is the story based on the World War I. It highlights the peaceful celebration of Christmas between enemy armies. It also describes affection of a wife towards her husband who is out for a war. Heart-warming and spine-tingling, this is a perfect story to curl up with on a winter's night.
main charactersJim McPherson; He is one of the tommies and is the Leader of his troop. He is an open-hearted, brave and courageous man. He lives in 12 Copper Beeches, Bridpot, Dorset. He was a teacher in Dorset before the war. He is a martyr in The World War I.
Connie McPherson; She is the wife of Jim McPherson. An accident burnt her partially. She is alive only in the belief that she will be able to see her husband once again. Hans Wolf; He was a German Fritz in the World War I. He is their captain. He worked in an orchestra in Düsseldorf before the war. summaryThe Roll-Top: The author found a roll-top desk in a junk shop. He thought that he could restore it. So he bought it and began to work on it on Christmas eve.nThe Letter: He pulled out the drawers.
He found that these had been badly damaged by fire and water. The last drawer
stuck fast. When it opened, it revealed a secret space. In it he found a small
tin box. Over it he found a notice which read “Jim’s last letter.” There was a
letter inside addressed “12 Copper Beeches, Bridpot. The
date was given December 26, 1914.nJim and Connie: The author read the letter. The owner of
the desk might have put it in. The letter had been written by a captain of the
English army, Jim McPherson. He had written it to his wife Connie. A wonderful
incident had happened on the battlefield on the Christmas eve. Jim McPherson
had narrated it in his letter.
nUnforgettable Moments: The English and Germans were at war. The two armies stood in their respective trenches. Suddenly McPherson saw someone waving a white flag from the enemy side and heard Christmas wishes. The English too responded them and wished them from their side. Then, they thought it was all over.But, to their surprise……nHans Wolf and Jim chatted about their lands. Hans told that he knew Dorset very well to where Jim belongs to. He has never been to England but he spoke English very well. His favorite writer was Thomas Hardy and favorite book was ‘Far from the madding crowd’. They shared many thoughts and foodHans Wolf and Jim chatted about their lands. Hans told that he knew Dorset very well to where Jim belongs to. He has never been to England but he spoke English very well. His favorite writer was Thomas Hardy and favorite book was ‘Far from the madding crowd’. They shared many thoughts and foodWar or Football; Then a soldier brought out a football. The soldiers played in the no mans land while the captains clapped and cheerednHans Wolf suggested that the world would be much better if the problems are solved by football matches rather than wars. Because, in a football match the winner and the loser are chosen without any bloodshed.The Celebration: After the football match, all the drinks and food were consumed. Now it was time to part. Both the armies saluted each other and the Germans walked away slowly. Jim bid farewell to Hans in moist eyes. In the night both the armies were heard singing carols. And, the peaceful celebration of Christmas came to an endnThe Hope: McPherson ended the letter hoping that the war would end soon. He wrote that both the armies longed for peace and he was sure that they would be together again. nHaving read the letter, the author, put it back in the envelope. He decided to give the letter back to whom it belonged. The address was of Bridpot, Dorset. So he drove to that place. But ……………………. nThe house number 1 |
new words
Roll-top desk – A desk with a flexible sliding cover
Restore – Repair Christmas Eve – The day before Christmas Stuck fast – Shut tight Trenches – Deep holes in the ground Fritz – A name for German soldier No man’s land – An area between armies which no one controls Tommy – A name for English soldier Reached out – Extended the hand short questions
What did the author find in the small black tin box ?
Who are the Fritz and Tommy ? Who, of the two Armies, took the initiative for celebrating the Christmas together ? How did they begin ? What did Hans Wolf do as a Civilian ? long questions
How did the two armies celebrate the Christmas?
How did Mrs. McPherson behave when the author met her ? home work
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