Franklin's Christmas Gift

Written by
Paulette Bourgeois

Illustrated by
Brenda Clark

Kids Can Press

F
RANKLIN
loved Christmas. He could name all of Santa's reindeer. He could tie ribbons into bows and play “Silent Night” on his recorder.

Franklin liked to give presents and to receive them. But this year he couldn't decide what to give to the Christmas toy drive.

Every December the students in Mr. Owl's class donated toys for needy families. The toys could be new or carefully used.

When Mr. Owl put out the collection box, everyone was excited. They had three days to choose the perfect gifts to give.

That evening Franklin dug through his toys. He picked up a shiny red car.

“I remember this,” he said, wheeling it around. “Vroom!”

Next, Franklin pulled out a stuffed elephant and held her tight.

“I wondered where you'd gone!” he cried.

Then Franklin found his best green marble. It had been missing for weeks.

“Fantastic!” he shouted.

Franklin loved his marbles. He had won every marble in his collection, and each one was beautiful.

Franklin picked through the rest of the toys. He decided to keep everything but a rusty truck with a missing wheel.

Franklin asked his father to help him fix the truck.

“We can try,” said his father. “But it won't look new or even gently used.”

“It's all I have. Everything else is too special to give away.”

“I'd like you to think about that,” said Franklin's father. “Christmas is a time to be generous.”

The next day at school, Franklin asked his friends what they were giving.

Beaver was donating her big book of questions and answers.

“I already know all the answers,” she boasted.

“I'm giving a puzzle, said Bear. “I only did it once.”

Franklin frowned. “I'm giving a truck … I think.”

He had two days left to decide.

But Franklin was too busy to think about the toy drive.

He played the recorder in the school concert, made a card for Mr. Owl and wrote a holiday story.

“I'll pick a toy after school,” he promised himself.