Mr. Edward is a successful and busy banker. Because he dealt with money all day long, he unknowingly developed the habit of using money to spend everything, not only in business, but also with his family. He opened a special account in the bank for his wife and children, and allocated large sums of money for their consumption every once in a while. He asked his secretary to buy expensive gifts, and he was responsible for delivering them to his door during festivals or family anniversaries. Everything was as efficient and orderly as doing business, but his relatives didn't seem to get the happiness he expected. As time passed, he himself felt aggrieved: Why were they still dissatisfied and even complaining about me after I spent so much money?
Mr. Edward subscribes to several newspapers so that he can browse the latest financial information every morning. The person who originally delivered the newspaper was a middle-aged man, but at some point, he was replaced by a teenage boy. Every morning, he rode his bicycle quickly along the street, took out the rolled newspaper from his canvas backpack, threw it under the porch of Mr. Edward's house, and then rode away quickly.
Mr. Edward could often see this hurried newsboy through the window. Sometimes, the newsboy would look up and see him in the room, and would raise his hands to him in a playful manner. After seeing it so much, I remember that childish face.
One weekend night, when Mr. Edward came home, he saw the newsboy looking for something along the street. He stopped the car and asked curiously: "Hey, kid, what are you looking for?" The newsboy turned around and recognized him, smiled slightly, and replied: "I lost five dollars, sir." "You must have lost it here?" "Yes, sir. I have been staying at home today. Except for delivering newspapers in the morning, I must have left them here."
Mr. Edward knew that this child who made extra money by delivering newspapers every day would not grow up in a privileged life. family; and he could also conclude that the missing $5 was slowly saved by the child day by day. A sense of pity prompted him to get out of the car. He took out a 5-dollar bill and handed it to him, saying, "Okay, kid, you can go home." The newsboy looked at him in surprise and did not reach out to take the bill. Money, his expression was full of dignity, clearly telling Mr. Edward that he did not need charity.
Mr. Edward thought for a while and said: "I lent it to you. Don't forget to write me an IOU when you deliver the newspaper tomorrow morning and pay me back later." The newsboy finally took the money.
The next day, the newsboy handed Mr. Edward an IOU when delivering the newspaper, and the signature on it was Ferris. In fact, Mr. Edward didn't care about the IOU at all, but he did care about what little Phyllis was anxious to do with the $5. "Buy a Christmas angel for my sister, sir." Phyllis replied cheerfully.
The child's words reminded Mr. Edward, but no, it will be Christmas in one week. Unfortunately, I have to fly to Canada to negotiate a merger and acquisition, so I can't spend Christmas with my family.
In the evening, when the family finally got together for dinner, Mr. Edward announced: "I'm afraid I won't be able to spend Christmas with you next week. However, I have told my secretary to wait for each of you. Put some extra money in your account and buy whatever you want, even if it’s my Christmas gift to you.”
There was no enthusiastic response from Mr. Edward at the dinner table, and the family members only paused for a moment. He took the knife and fork in his hand and said one or two polite words to him to express his gratitude. Mr. Edward felt very uncomfortable.
On Monday morning, Ferris came to deliver the newspaper as usual, but Mr. Edward made an exception and walked outside the door to talk to him. He asked the child: "Did you buy the Christmas angel you gave your sister? How much did it cost?" Phyllis nodded and smiled: "48 cents a piece, sir. I bought one at the flea market yesterday for 40 cents. I bought an old Barbie doll for 8 cents and bought some white gauze, silk and silk thread. My classmate Larry’s mother was a seamstress, and she was willing to help transform the old doll into a little angel wearing a beautiful gauze skirt and having wings. You know, that Christmas angel was exactly like what was described in one of my sister's favorite fairy tale books.
Phyllis's words deeply touched Mr. Edward, and he said with emotion: "How lucky you are. A gift of 48 cents can make your sister happy." But as for me, even if I paid much more than that, all I got was some polite words. Phyllis blinked and said, "Maybe they didn't get the gift they hoped for?" "Mr. Edward frowned. He didn't know what kind of Christmas gifts his family wanted, and he never seemed to ask, because he thought it was the same to give his family money and let them buy it themselves. He was confused. Said: "I gave them a lot of money, isn't it enough? Phyllis shook his head and said: "Sir, Christmas gifts are actually gifts of love. They don't necessarily have to cost a lot of money, but they should be given to others what they hope for in their hearts." ”
Phyllis walked away along the street, but Mr. Edward was still standing at the door, thinking for a long time before turning and entering the house. Breakfast had been laid out in the house, and his wife and children were waiting for him. At this time, Mr. Edward did not drink milk and read the newspaper as usual, but said to everyone: "Oh, I have decided to cancel my plan to go to Canada and want to stay at home to spend Christmas with you. Now, can you tell me, what kind of Christmas gift do you most want to get? ”
Because he hadn’t communicated with his family in this way for a long time, Mr. Edward was a little uncomfortable when he spoke. The family was also a little surprised. They exchanged glances and seemed to understand his intentions, so they smiled at him together. Several children were chattering about their wishes, while his wife quietly put her hand on his hand intimately - it was the sweet family atmosphere he had been looking forward to for a long time.
From the second day onwards. At the beginning of the year, Mr. Edward established an "angel fund" in the bank. Every December, he would send special personnel to select some Christmas gifts and distribute them to children in welfare institutions and orphanages. These small gifts are not expensive, but because of the Someone has been asked to do research in advance, so the gifts given are the things that the children long for, because Christmas gifts are actually gifts of love - this sentence is like a motto that Mr. Edward keeps in mind.
Christmas gifts are actually gifts of love. They don’t have to cost a lot of money, but they should give others what they want in their hearts.
To love someone, you must know what they like in their heart.