I was a single parent of four small children, working at a low-paid job. Money was always tight, but
we had a 1 over our heads, food on the table, clothes on our backs, and if not a lot, always 2 . Not
knowing we were poor, my kids (孩子们) just thought I was 3 I've always been glad about that.
It was Christmas time, and although there wasn't 4 for a lot of gifts, we planned to celebrate with a
family party. But the big 5 for the kids was the fun of Christmas 6 .
They planned weeks ahead of time, asking 7 what they wanted for Christmas. Fortunately. I had
saved $120 for 8 to share by all five of us.
The big 9 arrived. I gave each kid a twenty-dollar bill and 10 them to look for gifts of about four
dollars each. Then everyone scattered (散开). We had two hours to shop; then we would 11 back at
the "Santa's Workshop".
Driving home, everyone was in high Christmas spirits, 12 my younger daughter, Ginger. Who was
unusually 13 . She had only one small, flat bag with a few candies - fifty-cent candies! I was so angry, but
I didn't say anything 14 we got home. I called her into my bedroom and closed the door, 15 to be
angry again. This is what she told me:
"I was looking 16 thinking of what to buy, and I 17 to read the little cards on the 'Giving Trees.'
One was for a little girl, four years old, and all she 18 for Christmas was a doll (玩具娃娃). So I took
the card off the tree and 19 the doll for her. We have so much and she doesn't have anything."
I never felt so 20 as I did that day