The New Year
It was New Year's Eve, and Morris was fast asleep in his bed. Suddenly, he heard a knock on the window. He jumped.
— Hey, Morris! Come with me! Come on, wake up! — Oh! But it's still night and it's very cold outside. — Oh, it's almost morning and we have many things to do. — What things? Who are you? And what do you want to work on at this hour? — I am the New Year, and I've brought blessings for everyone. But I can't push the sleigh by myself. Won't you come help me? — I'm so warm and cozy in my bed, and I'm very sleepy. Do we really have to go at this hour? Can't we wait until morning? — I promise you, if you come with me now, you'll feel happier than ever. Please, come! — Alright.
Preparations for the New Year
Morris quickly got dressed and went out of the house, where the little New Year was waiting for him.
— Hey, what a beautiful sleigh! It says 'love and kindness' on it. How sweet! Oh, come with me, you'll feel much better. Will you help me pull the sleigh? — Of course!
So the New Year gave Morris a rope to pull the sleigh, and they both started walking through the snow to reach Joe's house.
— This is Joe's house! Our gardener. He doesn't have any children. In fact, he doesn't have any family at all. Why are we going there? — That's exactly why we're going there. It's New Year's, he shouldn't feel like no one is thinking of him. No one deserves to spend New Year's Eve alone and sad. — That's right! So, tell me, what do you want me to do? — There's a lot of snow around his house. We won't be able to get in. You clear it away with the shovel, and I'll unload some blessings for him. Mmm, let's see. Maybe a new coat and scarf, a warm New Year's dinner and a hearty breakfast, a new pair of shoes. How about that? — Dad gave him his old coat. But wouldn't everyone want a new one, especially during the holiday season? Mmm, yes. I think the gifts you were talking about are wonderful.
Gifts for Joe and Bessy
So Morris cleared the snow from Joe's doorstep, and the little New Year unloaded the gifts and carried them into Joe's house.
— Shouldn't we knock on the door? — Oh, no! Why disturb him? Let's take them to the living room.
So the New Year entered through the window and left the gifts on Joe's table. When he saw him doing this, Morris felt more fulfilled than ever. Just thinking about how happy Joe would be when he saw the gifts, Morris's heart filled with joy. It was something inexplicable, but it felt wonderful.
Then, the New Year headed towards Bessy's house.
— This is Bessy's house! She sews for Mom. What gift shall we leave her? — Bessy has been sick for a few days. Some flowers and a New Year's chocolate could make her happy. What do you say? — Ah, yes, that would be wonderful!
So the New Year entered through the window again and placed the most beautiful carnations in the world and a huge chocolate next to Bessy's bed. Morris felt the same joy as before, just thinking about how happy Bessy would be when she saw the flowers and chocolate. It was as if Morris himself had received the flowers and chocolate.
The Power of Love and Kindness
The New Year and Morris went all over town, giving gifts to many people. Somehow, the New Year always knew exactly what to give to each person. But no matter how many gifts he gave, the sleigh never emptied.
— How is it that your sleigh is always full, no matter how many gifts you take from it? — Ah, love and kindness never diminish, no matter how much you take from them. The more love and kindness you give, the stronger they become, and the happier you feel.
A Happy New Year
— Morris! Morris! Wake up! — Nnn... What? — It's New Year's morning! Wake up, dear! — New Year's morning! The little New Year! The sleigh with love and kindness! — What? — Happy New Year, Mom! The more love and kindness you give, the stronger they become, and the happier you feel. Thank you for waking me up, Mom! You'll see, I'll make this New Year the most beautiful one ever!
Morris got dressed, took the little money he had saved and a chocolate he'd received from his uncle, and dashed off. He couldn't afford to buy a coat with his money, but he bought eggs and pancakes from a grocery store. He ran to Joe's house and knocked on the door.
— Oh! Good morning, Morris! What are you doing here? I have the day off today, you know. — I know, but I brought something for you. A New Year's breakfast. I thought you liked eggs, and you once told me you liked pancakes with honey and cinnamon. — Yes, I love pancakes with honey and cinnamon. Thank you! You are very, very kind! It's been a long time since someone thought of me and brought me something I like. It means so much to me. Thank you!
The little New Year was right. Love and kindness are the best things in the world.
Then Morris went to Bessy with chocolate and flowers.
— Hello, Morris! — Hello, Bessy! How are you feeling? It must be awful to be sick on New Year's. — Oh, of course! You're telling me! But I feel better now that someone has come to visit me. — I brought these for you! — Ah, how sweet, Morris! Thank you very much! — Happy New Year, Bessy! Maybe you can come over later and we can play Ludo or something, what do you say? — Ah, that would be wonderful! I get so bored just lying in bed and doing nothing all day. I think I'd recover faster if I played something.
Bessy was very happy. Seeing her so happy, Morris was even happier. Then Morris started spreading love and kindness to all his friends and even to strangers, and he was, oh my, the happiest boy in town!
The moral of the story: Love and kindness never diminish; the more you offer them, the stronger they become and the happier they make you.
