The Best Christmas Present in the World: “The Best Christmas Present in the World” portrays camaraderie and universal friendliness as the story’s central subject. A roll-top desk is something the narrator wishes for. He looked for a roll-top desk in a junk shop in Bridport. The narrator takes over the oak desk. It is less expensive than the other desks that the narrator has seen. The desk bought by the narrator wasn’t in prime condition, and there was a lot of work to be done. The forces of fire and water had taken a real toll on the desk, and the narrator started by taking the desk cover off.
The drawer that took some force to open revealed a tin box inside. The note in the box had instructions to bury the letters with her. The letters had been addressed to a lady Macpherson; one was even written in pencil. The captain of the English army, her husband, was the writer of these letters. He talks about a scene held on a Christmas morning, where the side of the German soldiers showed a white flag and happily called out a ‘Happy Christmas’. Their side returned the wishes eagerly. They did, however, offer to share schnapps and sausage. In the middle of no man’s land, about 12 troops approached them. The narrator was initially concerned but did not attempt to stop them. Mr Macpherson was ecstatic that the narrator was rejoicing alongside his foes. He said he admired the German officer’s demeanor when he approached him and introduced himself.
Class 8 English Chapter 1
He wished him a “Merry Christmas” and suggested that he join the orchestra as a cellist. He was taken aback and greeted the German commander, who informed him that he was a Dorset schoolteacher. He then proceeded to share booze and sausage. He had a near-perfect command of the English language. Dusseldorf spoke good English and knew about Dorset, where he had gone, which astonished him. Celebrating with the enemies was fun, so they chose to play football next. If it were a cricket game, Macpherson was sure of victory. But the German army won the football game, and to add to the surprise, Hans Wolf confessed to having a wider goal. The soldiers said their goodbyes, and both sides wanted peace.
After reading the letter, the author was bereft of sleep and decided to embark on a journey to Bridport. A boy directed him there, and the older man told him he knew Mrs. Macpherson. Her candles in place of electricity for the sake of affordability burned her house. Burlington House on Dorchester road was the nursing home that housed her, so the author made his way there.
The nursing home hallway had a lit Christmas tree in the corner, which he spotted as he entered. After asking for Mr. Macpherson, he noticed the home members wore paper hats as they sang in the dining room. The matron or the housemother had no family and admitted contentedness on a visitor’s arrival. She even offered him some pie. A lady was sitting in a wheelchair with her hands folded in her lap and her hair held in a bun. The narrator wished this woman a Merry Christmas and handed her the box.
The tiny box with the letter left the woman with a smile and tearful eyes. She even asked the narrator to read all the letters as she yearned to hear his voice. She assured the narrator that they would have a Christmas cake and Marzipan. Finally, she confessed to having received the best Christmas present in the world.
Wars only bring hatred and violence in this world, whereas minimal acts of kindness and showing empathy bring only joy. The two armies had memorable experiences with each other despite everything that separated them. At the same time, the letters Mrs. Macpherson received brought back sweet old memories.
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