THE WORTH OF ONE - A CHRISTMAS STORY 

By Tessa Harvey

    "Eww!" grumbled Veronica, "is that dog slobber?" She was feeling really out of sorts like a frog going over an unexpected set of rapids. 
    Melissa moved towards her. "Let's be friends," she whispered softly. Ronnie paused, a little ashamed. "Sure," she smiled. Encouraged, Melissa dug around in a hand-made flower-appliqued shoulder bag. She produced four delightfully delicious looking sausage rolls, four apples and a medium size bottle of water.
    Gus was impressed. "Wow!" he exclaimed, "can we stop and eat and then play ball?"
    The children settled on the sparse grass between the softly rustling trees. As the children munched hungrily, not even talking, the birds around them began to chirp, sing and flutter about. A small rabbit crept out, saw them and disappeared. That's my bunny, thought Veronica, cheered by something familiar.
    "Why you here?" asked Jacob, haltingly. He had begun to talk again a few weeks ago after some bullies had tackled Melissa. They had pushed him over, contemptuously, swearing at the "weirdo." dismissing him as useless. But something within had broken free and he had suddenly roared.
    The words were inarticulate, unsubstantial, but the furious flailing fists were real. A righteous anger had fuelled the small boy. Melissa or Missa was everything to him.
    Bruised, bleeding and torn, the young teenage thugs had scattered. Later they consoled themselves in defeat by calling him mad. After a victorious skirmish with a weaker gang, they soon regained their swagger.

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