Ben’s Christmas Lesson

By Graham Scott

One day as Ben sat with his friends, Devin, Graham, David and Sam, he realized that Christmas was only a week away!

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“Hey guys, guess what?” Ben asked his friends, “In a week it will be Christmas!” Sam and Devin answered, “Yeah, you didn’t know that?!”“Yeah Ben! I’ve been counting down for a month!” exclaimed Graham.

“I already have my list!” said David.“I got the biggest Christmas tree ever! My parents even let me put it in my

room!” Devin yelled.

7 more days…7 more days…7 more days…

1. New bike2. New phone3. Football video game4. Watch5. TV for my room etc…

Ben was disappointed. He hadn’t realized that everyone was so excited about Christmas, and he had just realized that it was around the corner.

With that fresh in his mind, Ben watched as his friends loaded into fancy-schmancy cars, Hummers, and limos as he sat waiting for the bus.

Lake View Elementary

School

BUS ONLY

When Ben got home, he immediately complained to his mom, wondering why he couldn’t be picked up in a limo. His mom chuckled,

“Why do you need a limo, you should be perfectly happy with the school bus. Besides, on the bus you get to talk to all of your friends.”

That made Ben mad, but he just decided to see if his big brother Reed knew that it was almost Christmas.

Hehe

“Reed, did you know that in 7 days it will be Christmas?!” Ben asked – trying to sound as smart as he could. Reed answered, “YES! Are you crazy, of course I did. Why wouldn’t I have known!” That made Ben

disappointed all over again.

OF COURSE!Do you

know…?

Then Ben went to his dad, “Dad when are we going to get our Christmas tree?” he asked. “We already have it silly! We were going to put it up and decorate it tonight!” his dad answered. Then Ben asked, “Can we put it in my room? Devin’s parents let him have the tree in his room!

Please!” His dad chuckled, “Just because one of your friends has something, doesn’t mean you have to have it too. You should be happy with what we have! Besides, it needs to be here in the family room so

everyone can see it!” Ben stormed off to his room.

Hehe

The next day during lunch, Devin was SO excited. When Ben asked why, he found out that Devin was going on a cruise to Mexico for Christmas.

“You’re so lucky!” Ben told his friend. And then, just like that, Ben found out that Graham was going skiing in Colorado, David was going to Hawaii, and Sam was going to Italy! Ben decided to ask his mom if

they could go skiing for Christmas when he got home.

So when Ben got home, he asked his mom, “Mom, for Christmas can we go skiing?” His mom chuckled, “Just because you’re friends are going

places doesn’t mean that you have to. Besides, we are going to have a fun Christmas right here and it would be too hard with Mason & Ellie to travel, your brother and sister are only one and a half remember!” Ugh,

though Ben.

Hehe

He went to his older sister Kathryn’s room and tried to get her to help him convince Mom to take them skiing for Christmas. “Why would I

want to go skiing? My friends - Katie and Maddy - are staying here!” Ben wasn’t happy.

My friends are staying here!

At school the next day, all the talk was about PRESENTS! At lunch

they were sharing what they wanted for

Christmas. Ben wanted a new football, a new

bike (his old one is way too small), and the

football video game. For the most part his friends were all the same, “I want a 2nd

bike, the NEW football video game that hasn’t

come out yet, a new phone, you get the

point.”

1. Football2. Bike3. Football Video Game

1. Two bikes2. Football Video

Game that comes out next year

3. New Phone4. New iPod

This made Ben want all of those things, so when he got home from school he asked his dad, “Can I have a phone for Christmas? The new

one just like all my friends.” His dad chuckled, “Why do you need a phone, in 5th grade too? Just because all your friends have one doesn’t mean you have to have one too! You should be happy with what you

have.”

Hehe

Ben wanted those things really bad. I guess he’s just going to have to wait until Christmas morning to find out!

I’m going to have to wait

until morning…

“IT’S CHRISTMAS!!! IT’S CHRISTMAS!!!” Ben’s siblings were yelling as he woke up. He couldn’t

believe that it was already Christmas morning! He bolted out of his room and down the stairs, joining Kathryn and Reed. Every year they always had to wait for their parents to get downstairs

before opening their presents. As their parents were walking down

the stairs with the twins, he and his older brother and sister yelled,

“FINALLY!”“HURRY” exclaimed Kathryn.“Come on! I want to open my

presents!” shouted Reed. Ben was so excited he couldn’t say anything.

IT’S CHRISTMAS!!

IT’S CHRISTMAS!!

As soon as their parents made it to the foot of the stairs, they were tearing open their presents!

“Yes!!!” Reed yelled, “I got a new iPod!” He then dove back under the Christmas tree for more presents.

“AHHH!!” Kathryn screamed, “NEW CLOTHES!” Then she started unwrapping more presents.

“WAHOO!” yelled Ben. He had gotten a new football, the new video game, and an awesome new bike! Just what he had asked for.

WAHOO!!

AHHHH!!A NEW IPOD!

That’s when Ben realized that they his parents were right. Just because your

friends have something doesn’t mean you have to

have it too, you should be happy with what

you have. “I am” Ben said. He walked over

to his parents, “Mom, Dad, you guys were

right. I should be happy with what I have. I am!” Grins spread across their faces. “We’re glad!”

his dad said.

I am happy!

We’re glad!We’re glad!

Everyone was enjoying their presents when Mason yelled from the window, “SNOW!!” They all ran to the window and sure enough, it was

snowing! “Snow… on Christmas!” they all whispered in awe. They couldn’t believe it. Together the family ran outside (without stopping to

put jackets or shoes on) and started playing in the snow.

“This is the best Christmas ever!” Ben proclaimed.

Mom said, “Maybe next year you’ll get a phone…”

THE END