Among those that crowded the store was an old gentleman with a fine, generous face.
“Show me a pretty doll,” he said.
“There are some beauties in the window, sir,” answered the shopkeeper. “Come and look at them.”
“I’ll take the large one dressed in pink,” said the gentleman. “I’m going to send it to a dear little girl who did me a great kindness. My little dog strayed a long distance from home. She found him, and carried him to me. I’m sure her kind heart will love a doll.”
In the afternoon an old gentleman knocked at the door of a very humble home and said, “I have brought a gift to the little girl who took the trouble to carry my lost dog home to me. Please give it to her on Christmas Day.”
And so the most beautiful doll’s wish came true.
THE CHRISTMAS SPRUCE TREE
(Norwegian Legend)
ANNA VON RYDINGSVÄRD
Among the tall trees in the forest grew a little spruce tree. It was no taller than a man, and that is very short for a tree.
The other trees near it grew so tall and had such large branches that the poor little tree could not grow at all.
She liked to listen when the other trees were talking, but it often made her sad.