Leo's First Christmas Morning: A Heartwarming Holiday Tale

🌨️ A Chilly Morning and a Sweet Surprise

On a frosty December morning, young Leo hesitated to leave his warm bed. Despite the cold, he was determined not to be late for school, especially as a first grader. As he slipped his foot into his slipper, he felt something unusual. Curious, he reached in and discovered candies. Startled, Leo wondered if someone had mistakenly accused him of taking them. Tears welled up as he feared his parents' reaction.​

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Comfort and a Festive Revelation

His parents, along with his sister and brother, entered the room, concerned.​

"Leo, why are you crying?" his father asked.​
Unable to speak, Leo's tears flowed freely.​

"He didn't want candies; he wanted something else!" his sister exclaimed.
"Did you check both slippers?" his brother inquired.​
Leo wiped his tears and said, "There were candies. I don't know how they got there."​

His father smiled, "Of course, there were candies. Today is St. Nicholas Day. He brings sweets to all good children."​

"But no one has ever brought me candies before. Are they really for me?" Leo asked, wiping his cheeks.​

"Yes, they're yours!" the family chimed in unison.​

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🎅 Discovering the Magic of St. Nicholas

Relieved, Leo began to examine the gifts, his eyes wide with wonder.​

"Has St. Nicholas never brought you anything before?" his new brother asked.
"No. Who is St. Nicholas?"​
"He's a saint who cares for all children and brings them treats," his brother explained.​

"When I lived with my previous family, I was told I was a mistake and shouldn't have been born," Leo whispered.​

💖 Embracing a Loving Family

The entire family gathered around Leo. His mother sat on his left, his father on his right, and his siblings sat across from him.​

"You've always been a good boy," his mother said gently. "Perhaps St. Nicholas was just too busy and didn't know about you. If he had known how kind and smart you are, he would have brought you many candies."​

"Now that you're with us in the city, St. Nicholas knows about you," his sister added. "He felt sorry for missing you before."​

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🎁 A New Beginning Filled with Love

Leo couldn't believe the warmth and kindness he was experiencing. In his six months with his new family, he had never felt so loved. Tears of joy streamed down his face as he realized he truly deserved the gifts and affection.​

His parents hugged him tightly, and his siblings joined in, wrapping their arms around him. From that moment, Leo knew that his real family was the one that loved and cherished him. They had shared his story with St. Nicholas, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and even the Easter Bunny.​

🗣️ Discussion Questions:

1. Leo was adopted by a new family and calls them his real parents. Why do you think that is?
2. Can you recall a time when you cried tears of joy? Why do we sometimes cry when we're happy?​

Author: Margaryta Surzhenko
Illustrations: AI-generated