THE WORTH OF ONE - A CHRISTMAS STORY

By Tessa Harvey

    Veronica knew deep down the principal was probably right, but she actually liked holding onto her grievances. And now there were new ones added. Her friends, Jacob and Melissa had gone for a walk somewhere and her trusty side-kick Gus had gone to stand near the school gates, hoping for some boys around his own age to play ball  or kick another ball around.

    "I'm fed up," she suddenly yelled into the trees. Birds flew up, startled and so did several of her bunny friends. A loud voice accosted her in a rough parody of the local dialect. "Now then, our lass. What's to do? Mekkin' all this racket, fritting the poor birds and little bunnies. What ails thee?"

    Startled, Ronnie wheeled round. A tall figure was silhouetted against the noon day sun. He came nearer and she realised it was just a boy. "Oh you, you.....". Words failed her. "Go away!"

    "Fine." The voice changed to a smooth accent. The lad turned and left and for some reason Veronica felt humbled and ashamed. She also felt a strange sense of loss at his retreating figure. Something about him seemed familiar. Then her attention was caught by two smaller children, staring at her, a boy and a girl. They looked African. "Hello," Ronnie ventured. The students answered, still looking at her, curiously. "Please show us the place to go," the boy said. "I am Aiden. This is Pamela." "Lady sent us to you," Pamela added, twisting her hair.
    Veronica looked around. The principal must have thought she was good enough to help and Veronica felt less worthless until she saw the tall boy talking to the headmistress in the distance. Would he mention her rudeness?
    She shrugged and beckoned the new ones to follow.,

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