62. The Gift Certificate

Christmas came and went and I didn’t work up enough courage to ask for the gift I truly longed for. So I left this for the next year. 

Alpin was not satisfied with the gifts he had received, for he didn’t get all that he had asked for. He took the trouble to write letters of complaint to all the gift-bringers that had disappointed him except the Magi. He was so angry with the Wise Men he reproached them in person. He was easily able to do this because he found them having dinner at The Jealous Merrow’s Pub before starting their journey back to the orient.

I dropped by the pub because I had been told Alpin was there and found him in the middle of a bitter speech.

The Wise Men try to give good kids what they ask for, but traditionally only give bad kids coal. Lately, they have mellowed and the coal they bring is not the real article. It is makebelieve coal made of sugar. It seems that Alpin received a splendidly generous ration of it. However, not all of it was black, and he was not happy with this detail either.

“...plus I also want you to know that the newfangled pink sugar coal may be an appropriate gift for naughty Barbies but is not my ideal gift at all, though I admit you gave me tons of it,” scolded Alpin. “And last but not least, I want to inform you in good time that my New Year’s resolution is to ask for more things next Christmas than I did this year and to manifest my displeasure less amicably if my expectations aren’t met. Be prepared.”

                     

Alpin’s sisters, Fiona and Branna, were also at the pub. They were giving their cousin Michael a Christmas gift in a large box wrapped in red paper and bound with a big golden bow.  

Michael opened his present and drew three fine porcelain figures out of the box. They were about a foot and a half high images of the Chinese deities Fuk, Luk and Sau.These gods are said to bring health, wealth and fame to the dwellers who keep them in a place of honour in their households. Also within the box was a large envelope and inside it a gift certificate. 

“Michael, you are always saying you are going to furnish your Apple Island home and never get down to doing it. My sister and I think it’s high time you did,” said Fiona.

“The gift certificate is so you can consult the best Chinese Master Decorators in the fairy world,” explained Branna. “These experts won’t only make your house pretty and cosy, they will also make it a beneficent place to live in and that will better your luck.”