Iris was a blue-eyed girl. Her father went to work every day in the diamond mines high up in the mountains. Her mother had gone to her maternal home many months ago. Iris was lonely and longed for a friend. One day, she was walking home after school. ‘All my friends are going some place or the other for the holidays. I will be alone once again. Who shall I play with?’ she thought. When she reached home, her father opened the door for her. He hugged her and said, “Iris, there’s a surprise for you. Come here.” He led her to the bedroom, where her mother was waiting for her with a baby in her arms. “Say hello to your little sister,” she said. Iris jumped up in joy. “She is so cute! Wow! That means I shall not be lonely any more! God has answered my prayers,” she said.
Holiday Surprise
