Presents courtesy of ClassroomClipart.com

“The winter holidays are upon us,” Ms. Applewood said to her third grade class. “Green Lawn Elementary School is participating in a toys for charity event. If you would like to participate, please bring a toy to class this week. Santa will stop by this Friday to pick up all the toys and bring them to the children in need in our community.”

“Hey, wait a minute!” Tommy Tomorrow said. “Doesn’t Santa have a shop for doing this kind of thing?”

The class laughed.

“Are the elves on strike?” Bobby Bishop asked.

A few students giggled.

“Are you sure we’re talking about Santa and not Scrooge?” Tommy wondered out loud.

There were some more chuckles in the room.

“Santa has enough toys for every child in the world. However, the spirit of Santa lives inside all of us. Santa sometimes works through us, so we can improve the lives of those around us,” Ms. Applewood said.

“It still sounds to me like Santa is slacking off. The spirit of Santa should be in Santa, not in us,” Tommy said.

“Santa uses all his abilities to make sure every child in the world receives a toy during the winter holidays. Sometimes he delivers the toys personally. Sometimes he inspires people to buy toys for others. Haven’t you heard it is better to give than to receive?” Ms. Applewood asked.

“I’ve heard about it, but I’m not sure it’s true,” Tommy said.

“Well, now is your chance to find out if it is true. If you bring a small gift for a child in need, perhaps you will see it is better to give than to receive. Some people even say that what we give, we receive.”

“Wow! Santa and this giving and receiving business are so confusing,” Tommy said.

“You do not have to participate in this charity event. It is optional. I encourage you all to discuss it with your parents first,” Ms. Applewood said.

“Now I have to get a toy for Santa’s charity event no matter what. Santa’s given me so many toys. It’s about time I give him one, too,” Tommy said. “And I would love to see if it really does feel better to give than to receive…but I have my doubts…I sure would like a toy rocket ship this holiday, and I don’t think any toy I could buy for someone else would make me as happy as having my own rocket ship!”

“Well, you may surprise yourself, Tommy. When we give to others, it is a very special, happy feeling that does not compare to the feeling we get when we buy things for ourselves,” Ms. Applewood said.

“What if they don’t like the toy we buy?” Bobby asked.

“Just do your best. That’s all we can ever do,” Ms. Applewood said.

The Elementrees went home that afternoon from school and discussed the toy drive with their parents. All their parents agreed to buy one small toy for a child in need. The Elementrees were excited to meet Santa on Friday. They also wanted to learn how it really might be better to give than to receive.

Click here to read the last part of this story titled Santa Visits Green Lawn Elementary School.

Question: What is one of your favorite toys that you ever received? You can leave a comment by clicking here.