The Best Christmas Present in the world summary

 

The Best Christmas Present in the world summary 

The story opens with the narrator present in a second-hand goods store. He had been craving for a roll-top desk for some time, but could not get his hands on one because he was too expensive. Finally, he saw one at the junk shop in Bridgeport. The seller told him that it belonged to the early nineteenth century and was made of oak. Old as it was, in poor condition; The roll top was not in a single piece, one leg of it was inefficiently repaired and it had markings on one side as if it had burned. Due to it being old and the situation it was in, it was available at a very cheap price. The narrator wanted to get it so badly that he believed he could restore it even though it was unlikely. Like this, He bought the man of the shop by paying it and took it home. He took it to his work room which was in the back of his garage and started working on it on Christmas Eve.

The desk was in very poor condition and it appeared to him that the water and fire had clearly caused enough damage. The fact that all ornamental wood or veneer was coming out made it more likely that it could cause water damage. He removed the roll-top completely and started removing the drawer. While all the drawers came out, the last one was stuck. They tried to pull it slowly but when it did not work, they had to use excessive force to get it out. He opened the drawer on the side of his fist only when it was opened. It was a secret drawer, inside which was a black tin-like box. The top part of it was fixed, which read, "Jim's last letter received on January 25, 1915. To be buried with me when the time comes. " In unstable handwriting. He knew in his heart that it was wrong for him to open the box, but curiosity made him better somehow,

Upon opening it he found an envelope inside a tin box. An address was written on it. It read: "Mrs. Jim McPherson, 12 Copper Beaches, Bridgeport, Dorset." The narrator took out the letter, revealed it and began to read. It was written on December 26, 1914, as noted with a pencil above it.

The letter begins with an informal and friendly salute to someone named Kony. Jim reveals that he is writing in a very happy mood and is about to share details of the great thing he experienced. He tells her about the day when all of them (army) were in their position in the trenches a day earlier. It was Christmas. The weather was cold and noiseless, making it a morning, as they pointed out, a beautiful morning that they had experienced. There was frost all around, just as it should be on Christmas morning.

He expresses how much he wants to tell Kony that it was the German soldiers who started it (whoever he is about to tell that day). He describes how he felt uncomfortable to reveal that it was German (referred to as Fritz, a generic German name) that started it. He lists the series of events of how he first waved a white flag. The white flag is a symbol for dedication, struggle and negotiation. It is waved to make the other party aware of the intent and point them not to shoot. He then tells how they heard a man land without shouting "Happy Christmas, Tommy!" happy Christmas!". He used "Tommy" to refer to the English army as it is a common British name.

Once the British Army understood what was happening, they wished the Germans to return. They also thought that it was, but only then, they could see him on No-Man's Land, wearing a gray greatcoat waving a white flag and shouting, telling the English army not to shoot. Huh. The army did not shoot one by one, the Germans came out. Jim instructed his soldiers to stay hidden because they suspected it to be some sort of trick. But in fact, it was not a trick. The fact that Jim was instructing everyone indicates that he was their chief or chief.

One of his men (Germans) loaded a bottle on his head on the ground, making noise, saying that it was Christmas and they should celebrate. He invites the British soldiers and tells them that they also have their special shnep and sausages. In no time, they could see many Germans roaming and roaming the land of a person without their weapons. The first private Morris to break out of the trench was the English Army. After this, everyone and in Jim's words, "there was no stopping them". Jim mentions how he now feels that he should have stopped them because he was their officer, but he also admits that in that moment, persuading them, did not even happen to stop him from making peace . That time, All they could see was that they were walking in gray and khaki coats to meet each other in the center of the ground. He mentions that even he was a part of it and how they were making peace between the war between the two countries.

He expresses how he felt in that moment, it is beyond what can be expressed or imagined in words. He was overwhelmed when he came close to the German officer, who extended his hand and introduced himself. His name was Hans Wolf and he was from a place called Düsseldorf. He told Jim that he played the role of cello in the orchestra and then wished him a "Happy Christmas".
Jim congratulated him and introduced himself by calling his full name "Captain Jim McPherson". He told the German officer that he was a school teacher in Dorset, which is in the west of England.

Hans was pleased to hear about Dorset. He reveals that he knows the place well but it turns out that he never went to meet the place or any other in England. He knew so much about England and all the school or English books that he read. Jim mentioned how he shared a quota of rum and goose sausages. Jim's enthusiasm about their conversation was evident from the letter. He revealed that he talked about Hans' favorite author, Thomas Hardy, and his book, For the Madding Crowd. He told Connie how he made Bathsheba, Talked about the book's characters like Gabriel Oak and Sergeant Troy. They talked about each other's families. Hans was also married to a six-month-old son. They also shared the leftover cake that Jim's wife had made. Hans loved Margipan and he described her as the best ever. Jim was of the same opinion. Jim mentions how they both agreed despite being enemies to each other (at the time the Germans and Britain were at war). He tells how he used to look at a man's land and could see men in gray and khaki enjoying it. They were smoking, eating, laughing, drinking and most of all, celebrating. Jim mentions how it was a very unique Christmas party. Were celebrating Jim mentions how it was a very unique Christmas party. Were celebrating Jim mentions how it was a very unique Christmas party.

Jim mentions that someone, whom he does not know, takes out a football and next discovers that they were doing a football match in the middle of a man's ground. He used a greatcoat to make the goalposts. Hans and Jim only watched and cheered for the teams. They clapped and stamped their fights to keep themselves warm. Jim could also see his breath in the air (in winter). Hans also saw it and they both looked at each other and smiled. After a while, Hans said that this is exactly how the dispute should be resolved and not by war. In a football match, no one loses their life, no children are orphans and no wife is widowed.

Jim responds to Hans' idea that he said to solve it with football, saying that he would suggest cricket because then the "Tommies" would be more likely to win. They both had a good laugh.

Sadly, Jim informed that Fritz won the game by scoring two goals for one. Hans, as generous as he was, commented that it was because his goal was wider than the Tommies which was a bit unfair.

They ran away with rum, schnapps and sausages. The game was over. The sooner they realize this, it all ends. Jim wishes Hans well and explains how he hopes for things to end soon and end well so that they can all go home and reunite with their families.

Hans replied that reuniting with their families and ending things well, is something that every soldier wants. He then wishes Jim and expresses that he will always remember that day and do Jim. After giving the salute in slow motion the goose went away and came back in a wave only once. Jim felt as if Hans was reluctantly walking but soon, he was one of the gray-coated people who moved back into their trenches.

As they went back to their dugout shelters, they could hear the Germans singing carols very sweetly. He sang Still Nach or Silent Night. The Tommies then sang while the Shepherds watched. Just like that, they exchanged carols that night and after a while, they all fell silent. Jim calls it "a time of peace and goodwill" and says he will cherish it forever.

After telling him about the amazing Christmas night, Jim tells Connie that things will soon be resolved and that by next Christmas the war will be just a "distant memory". He tells her that his experience with them has made him realize how the two sides yearn for peace. He assures her that they will be reunited soon. He then signs.

After reading the letter, which he knew he should not have read in the first place, he neatly placed it in the envelope. The narrator could not sleep that night and the next morning, he knew exactly what he had to do. Therefore, he went to Bridgeport which was only a short distance from his place of residence. He asked a little boy that he was walking his dog to give directions for the copper beach. He went there in search of the address mentioned on the letter; But house number 12 was all burnt down. Its roof was all open and the windows were covered with boards for protection. To inquire about Mrs. McPherson's whereabouts, he knocked on the house next door. The old man in the sandal knew the woman personally. They called her a lovely lady, who was a little confused most of the time, but she blamed it on her age, Because she was one hundred and one years old. His house caught fire and he was rescued by firemen. The actual cause of the fire is not known but people suspect it to be candles. The old woman used to use candles because she thought electricity was too expensive. The old woman told the narrator that she now lived in a nursing home called Burlington House on Dorchester Road, which is on the other side of the city.

The narrator went to the Burlington House Nursing Home, which he found quite easily. Christmas decorations were everywhere; The hallway was decorated with paper chains on all sides and, at the end, there was a Christmas tree with an odd fairy on top. He introduced himself as a friend of Mrs. McPherson's who had come to give him a Christmas present. He could see everyone in the dining hall. They were all singing and wearing paper caps. The matron also wore one such cap. She was happy to see the narrator and even gave him a piece of mince pie. As she walks him through the corridor, she explains that Mrs. McPherson does not get frequent visitors because she has no family. According to him, Mrs. McPherson would be delighted to see him. She mentions that she is not celebrating today because she was a little confused, So they thought it would be better for him to rest. She took him to a conservatory, which had chairs made of wigs and potted plants.

Inside the conservatory, an old woman was seated in a wheelchair with her hands in her lap. His white hair was tied in a neat, neat circle. While she sat there, she was staring at the garden when he came in. The author said and said "hello". She turns her attention to him as she continues to wish him "Happy Christmas" and gives him the letter. She continued to look at his face while speaking. It was only when he handed her a tin box that her eyes glowed with immense joy. After she handed over the tin box, she explained the series of events that led her to the letter, but did not hear a word she said she was so full of joy. Nor did he say a word. She just sat there holding the letter in her hands with humility, kindness and affection.

As he stood there silently, Connie moved and held his hand while his eyes were waterlogged. She said that she had fulfilled her promise to be Christmas. He even went on to say that it was "the best Christmas in the world". He then asked her to come to him and sit near him. He called the author "Jim".

He did what he said. He sat near her while he kissed her on his cheek. She tells him how she reads her letter daily (considering the writer to be Jim) and it makes her feel like she was with him. She was longing to hear his voice, but then she mentioned, now that he is here with her, she can read him the letter in his voice. She asks if he will do it for her. She explains that she just wants to hear his voice badly and if she can do it for him, she will feel good. He suggested that they might drink tea later too. He then told her that she had also made her favorite Christmas cake with margipan. He is well aware of how he loved Margipan.