Chinese Christmas
ESL – October, 2015 - Woodhaven
When I wrote this story I had
a whole introspective introduction. It went something like this:
PART I:
... and so, this is Christmas
... they're cutting down trees
Joni Mitchell
... anyway, I'm Jewish and an agnostic to boot. Still, I would like to
understand this spirit of giving, and so on. So I tried! I poured myself a nice
glass of cognac, and meditated on the metaphysical nature of this holiday. I
know Jesus was also a Jew and I think, that his TRUE followers would not mind my
Jewishness at all. So, I thought about what I could give someone, anyone. After
a while, it dawned on me that the cost of my cognac (and I mean just one glass
of it), could probably buy a pair of rabbits for someone in Africa. For those
amongst you who may not be aware of this, rabbits multiply a LOT! An African
family of four could easily survive on that pair of rabbits for a very long time
and even prosper. So, I could have one less drink a day - that should make quite
a difference. But what about the oil that I use to power my car, heat up my
home, recharge my cell phone and my notebook. Now that, could probably generate
enough power to run a small village in Nepal or somewhere. The clothes I wear,
most of you may not be aware of the labor and natural resources involved in
manufacturing a pair of jeans - but I know!
My thoughts kept going in that direction for a while and then it just dawned on
me: Africa and Nepal and who knows which other geographical areas of this Earth
might be a lot better off if I just killed myself. They could do wonders with
that extra money (haven't figured out yet. how it would get there - but why
should I care, I'd be dead!)
I do not have any particular reasons to stick around much longer. I have already
accomplished about as much as I can hope to. I wrote some pretty good songs. I
played on a lot of stages - though none of them was too big, I still consider
that an accomplishment. I published a couple of novels and lots of short stories
and poems. I have sired four children and they in turned have blessed me with
nine grandchildren. I also fought in a couple of wars and (not that I kept any
count,) I have removed a little more than that number to make place for them on
this Earth.
As I contemplate my options I gaze at my computer screen. I must have been
checking my FB page because there it is. My cousin Virginia had just posted
something or another and I am reminded that I have promised her that I will
write a steampunk Christmas story. What the heck, I might as well do that before
I go. Wouldn't take long as I already some notes for a Christmas story. Not sure
how much steampunk spicing I can throw on there, but I'll give it a shot. One
more drink and here we go!
*** |
I guess it
is a good thing to have an editor, because they cut these part out and let the
story stand on its own. I like it, it reminds me that I was kind of trying to
emulate O. Henry. Of course my story is not as bitter sweet but somewhat more
acerbic. Still, thank you Sharon Flood and Tony Stark for the great editing job.
I have been told so many times that I talk too much.
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