Short Stories: A Little Girl's Wish 

Carrie stamped her feet and twisted her hands in her skirt as she waited impatiently for the parade to begin. "Mommy, when will it start?"

"Soon, Dear."

"But you said that earlier."

"I know, Dear. It should have started already. Don't know what the delay is"

Carrie was so excited, for she loved the Christmas parade. Every year, Carrie and her family, as well as some friends from church, met on the corner of Academy and Main Street to watch the annual Christmas parade. The 45-minute parade always drew in a big crowd from the whole valley. Most people started gathering at least an hour before the scheduled parade time to reserve their front-row space at the event. This year was extra special, for Carrie's two older sisters would be in the parade.

Carrie remembered well the past couple parades. Beyond that, everything seemed but a dim memory. Four years ago, was the only time Carrie missed the parade. She did not remember that year, for she was only a couple years old. Carrie's mom did not take her because it was an unusually bitter cold and windy evening for southern Virginia. That was the first year that the parade was held in sub-freezing temperatures and with some snow on the ground.

Tonight was unusually mild. It had been in the 70s earlier, but now that the sun had set, the temperature was quickly falling. Carrie was glad for her warm jacket and the hot chocolate and cookies to help the time pass more quickly. Every year one of the local churches provided hot chocolate, hot cider, and an assortment of cookies for everyone.

Carrie had just bitten into another cookie when she heard music in the distance. Cheering erupted up and down the streets as the annual Christmas parade began.

"'Bout time," someone grumbled. "Never remember it being this late before."

Carrie leaned out into the street, straining her neck to get a glimpse of the advancing parade. Her small stature made it nearly impossible to see anything.

"Honey, the parade will be here shortly. You can watch as it goes by," her mother gently reminded.

Carrie's mother was right, for very soon, Carrie observed the two smiling young women carrying a large banner between them.

"Welcome to the Salem Christmas Parade," read Carrie's mother as Carrie beamed in delight. Last year she had only recognized a couple words, but this year she could read the sign herself.

"Mommy, when will we see Chrissy and Holly?" asked Carrie.

"Well, Chrissy's near the beginning--float number 7, I believe. Holly will be later. I think she's 26."

"Will Chrissy be throwing candy?"

"No, Chrissy is sitting on the float with the other girls in her Girl Scout troop. But don't worry, you'll get plenty of candy if you're quick enough."

"When are the clowns?"

"I don't know, but they're usually near the end--Look, here come some people throwing candy!

Carrie scrambled to the edge of the road along with dozens of other children trying to get as much candy as possible.

"I got some, Mommy!"

"I see you did! And here comes Chrissy's float!"

"Chrissy, Chrissy!" yelled Carrie to her older sister. Chrissy smiled and waved to her family. Carrie beamed as she yelled to those standing around her. "Did you see her? Did you? That’s my sister Chrissy!"

Carrie sat back down on her little folding chair until the drum majorettes came into view. She loved watching those majorettes twirl their batons in the air. In fact, she had just gotten her very own baton for her birthday a couple weeks earlier, and her parents had promised to let her join the majorettes after Christmas. Carrie's eyes grew wide in amazement at the oldest majorette. She was twirling fire. How could she do it and not get burnt? At the end of the group were some little girls even younger than Carrie. Oh, they looked so cute! Carrie hoped she could be part of the parade next year.

Another marching band came into view. Was this Holly's school? No. Carrie did not recognize the colors. Andrew Lewis Middle School Marching Band the sign said. Carrie was amazed at how many marching bands were in the area. Another church float passed by playing Carrie's favorite Christmas Carol "Silent Night."

"Mommy, when's Holly coming?"

"Just a couple more floats, and she'll be here."

Carrie heard the school band before she saw them. "There's Holly! Hi, Holly!" Carrie jumped up and down waving her hands. Holly did not wave, for she was playing "Jingle Bells" on her clarinet, but Carrie noticed Holly's eyes smiling at her. Carrie once again announced to everyone that her oldest sister was out there.

A few more floats passed and Carrie knew that the parade would soon be over, but where were the clowns? A lull in the parade alerted Carrie that the clowns were on their way. This was Carrie's favorite part of the parade. About eight to ten clowns did silly (and sometimes stupid) tricks to make everyone laugh.

A miniature fire engine with two clowns came racing down the road. Another little car with a clown followed. Suddenly, steam billowed out of the car. "Help! Fire!" screamed the clown. The fire engine turned around, and the two clowns pulled out a hose and squirted the clown. The other clown then pulled out his squirt gun and started shooting at the clowns in the fire engine. Everyone laughed at the clowns, who by the end of the parade were drenched.

A few more clowns drove some other funny loud cars back and forth, in circles, and in figure eights. Another was on a unicycle, and two more walked on either side of the road handing out candy to the boys and girls. Carrie looked at the clown coming down on her side.

"Mommy, why is that clown sad?"

"Oh, the clown not sad. It's just paint."

"But he was happy last year. He looks so sad this year!"

Carrie kept her eyes on him as he drew nearer. "Here you go, Miss. Would you like some candy?"

Carrie nodded. Before he could leave, Carrie, tugged at his sleeve. "'Scuse me, Mister. Why are you so sad? You don't want to give away your candy?"

The clown looked down at Carrie. "Oh, I enjoy giving away my candy. It's more fun to give it away than to keep it."

"Then why are you sad?"

"Guess it's cause no one says thank you anymore."

Carrie jumped up and hugged the clown. "Thank you for the candy!"

The clown looked at Carrie in surprise. Despite his sad face, Carrie noticed a twinkle in his eye and the slightest upturning of his frown. He winked at Carrie before moving on.

Carrie thought about what the clown had said. Perhaps, he was right. She looked at her bag of candy. She did not need all this candy. Maybe she could share some of this with Missy. Missy was sick and could not come to the parade. Yes, that is what she would do.

"Here comes Santa Claus!" someone shouted. Carrie knew that Santa Claus was not real. Her family celebrated the birthday of Jesus at Christmas, but she enjoyed seeing him just the same. Her mother had taught her that Santa Claus represented Saint Nicholas who gave gifts to the poor in the true spirit of giving. Carrie stood as the sleigh pulled near.

"Merry Christmas!" he bellowed as he waved to the crowd, and it seemed to Carrie that he looked straight at her. Some people, dressed as elves, walked alongside the sleigh on wheels. They threw candy out to the crowd, but this time Carrie did not scramble for it with the other children. Instead she waved to the sleigh. Yes, this Christmas would be different. Carrie would remember the true spirit of giving to others.

Written August 28, 2000