THE WORTH OF ONE - A CHRISTMAS STORY

By Tessa Harvey

    All that first week, the weather had been calm, clear skies, warm days. Most folk sailed through the seemingly endless still days in full acceptance of all this pleasant weather. But clouds were scurrying from above the horizon and gathering, always gathering, darkening until the beautiful sun was eventually dimmed.

    A chill wind began to blow. Augustus, balancing on the wide school gate, waiting to form a soccer team, scarcely noticed. Finally he heard a heavy vehicle labouring up the steep incline to the school drive. At that very moment, the storm broke. Thunder growled, and sharp. bright lightning flickered and dazzled, then briefly illuminated, dark grey cumulus clouds  banked high above the sky. Trees thrashed, and crashed against each other.

    The next clap of thunder was so loud that Augustus, startled, lost his hold on the now wildly swinging gate. The horrified bus driver saw a flash of something falling, just as rain and lightning blinded him. He braked hard, skidding sideways in avoidance. The vehicle was soon crashing into a stalwart oak and the driver slumped over the wheel, unconscious. 

    Older returning students hastily called on their phones for assistance. A girl near the front had seen the child fall and called an ambulance. Shaking and afraid, she joined the other kids streaming from the bus. The principal accompanied by returned staff hurried over. At her request, the matron ushered all but a few older students quickly to the main school hall near the refectory. Mrs. Smith with teachers and assistant matrons, checked the children. Most were only slightly or moderately hurt, others were in shock. The bus driver was helped in by the gardener and another man, a staff member. But what of Augustus?                                                  


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