detail from: KRK Art dizajn

SORROW AND JOY OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Ružica Kljajić, author 

Filip Istok, translator 

Santa Claus left a lot of presents under Milan's Christmas tree, which the boy, all excited and red-faced, examined and constantly wondered which one was the most beautiful. When he put all the colorful wrappers aside and the rustling of papers stopped, it seemed that someone was crying quietly. He looked around in vain, and when he didn't see anyone nearby, he looked at the Christmas tree and asked:

– Is that you crying?

–Yes, me, and who else would cry in this house?

–Why are you crying when you are so beautiful? I like you very much, and I want to play next to you.

–I am crying because I am very sad. I know! You and your mom worked hard to dress me up as lavishly as possible. I'm all shiny with various decorations, but if I'm beautiful, that doesn't mean I'm as happy as you, or your mom when she looks at me and sees you looking forward to those beautifully wrapped gifts.

–And why are you sad?

–Why? It is not easy to explain. I am sad because I arrived at your house. Your dad bought me at the market and, as he carried me, I thought of my friends who were left there waiting for someone to buy them too.

–I haven't heard you cry before.

–And I didn't. In all the excitement of the holidays, I was busy watching you and your family have fun. Now I know that my needles will start to separate from the twigs in a few days, and I will slowly dry out. I'm crying because I won't see my brothers and sisters, far away in the big forest. My friends at the market were rooted in the sod. When the holidays are over, their owners will surely plant them in their yard or a park, and they will grow quickly and decorate the surroundings with their green crowns throughout the year. And me? I'm going to end up in some landfill, and I'll never see you again, or the others I loved.

–Don't cry! I will plant you too.

–No, that's impossible! That greedy man came to the forest and cut me. My roots are stuck there and can't grow anymore...

And the Christmas tree gets choked. She didn't say anything more, but Milan still heard her crying, but quieter and quieter.

–Mom! Mom! - shouted Milan when he ran into the kitchen, where his mother was putting lunch on the table.

–What happened? Why are you yelling like that? Better go wash your hands, then have lunch!

–Nothing about hands and lunch! Call dad! You must do something now!

–Can't that wait while we have lunch?

–No! It can't! Now! Please!

Dad, who was hungry and attracted by the loud story, entered the kitchen:

–What is happening here? Shall we finally have lunch?

–We won't! - replied Milan, while tears flowed down his ruddy cheeks.

–And why, may I know?

–Because of the Christmas tree! - answered mom.

–Christmas tree? What does she have to do with it? As far as I know, she doesn't eat with us at the table.

–You must immediately plant it in the yard, under my window! Please! Now! Before her needles begin to dry and fall off.

His parents looked at him confused for a while, and then they said aloud:

–Let's go!

While mom was quickly removing the luxurious decorations from the treetop, Milan was preparing his new toys for another place. Dad had already dug a hole, in which he soon placed the Christmas tree stem. Although he was tired, the feeling of joy was stronger when he noticed that the Christmas tree still had one root left.

–You just need to water it regularly, and everything will be fine - he said loudly and hurried to finish the job.

The lunch was already cold when the three of them sat down at the table, but there was nothing left on the plates. They were hungry from the excitement of deciding to save the fir tree's life.

Jelka's little root has taken root, and she is growing together with Milan. One day, her slender tip curiously peeked through the boy's room window. Attracted by the intoxicating smell of green twigs, Milan left his book and went to the window. While gently caressing the newly grown tip, he quietly asked her:

–ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?

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