It was a bitterly cold winter. The wind blew sharp and strong and people huddled inside their houses trying to keep warm. Fires were lit inside and bonfires outside.
In the street was a little girl wearing a ragged frock. She had wrapped her arms around herself and shivered badly. Then she looked in at a window.
There was a fire burning inside the room. A lot of people were sitting around, chatting, eating and drinking. It seemed to be a birthday party of a little boy in the family. Shiny packets tied with ribbon were being unwrapped by the boy.
Suddenly, the door opened and light splashed out on to the street. An old man stood in the doorway. He looked at the girl and beckoned her.
“I didn’t do anything, sir,” she said, scared.
“I know, child. Please come here,” said the old man whose voice was very kind. She hesitantly went up to the door. He held her hand and took her into the house. As they entered the room, a silence fell. Everyone turned to look at the little girl.
The little boy who had a birthday brought a plate with a slice of cake on it. “Please share my birthday cake!” he requested. She took the plate, her hands shaking, and said, “Thank you!”
What is your name, child,” asked one of the girls.
“Lucy,” replied the girl.
“How did you come to be walking out in the cold?” asked a lady.
“I live in an orphanage. We go to work on the railway station. But I got separated from the group,” explained Lucy pathetically.
“Work at the station? What kind of work?” asked the lady.
“Someone always gives us some work: polishing shoes or selling cups of tea and biscuits, or newspapers, or cleaning some place.”
The lady came forward and asked, “Come in, my dear. Come near the fire and get warm.” She placed a rug in front of the fire. The girl happily sat near the fire.
“Would you like to stay here, Lucy?” she asked her, “You could play and study with Peter.”
“Live here?” she asked, “With all of you? What work would I have to do?”
“If you feel like, you can also do a little work like Peter, helping me in the kitchen and the garden and the house,” said the lady, smiling.
Lucy looked at her as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing! She had found a home! A family! They celebrated a birthday, by giving the gift of love.
Moral: A loving heart is more important than money.
