Margaret(with a bright smile): Hello there, Granny Smith. You told me that you're gonna teach me the song "Away in a Manger" today!

Mrs.Smith(with a warm,wrinkled smile): Oh Yes,honey! Come and sit over here. We'll clap and sing "Away in a Manger". You'll perform beautifully this Christmas!

Margaret: Yes! I'll sing and dance and make everyone happy! New clothes have started coming in, and so have the gifts!

(The seven year old's enthusiasm and smile gave Mrs. Smith a much needed doze of energy and happiness in her 70s.)

Mrs Smith: Yes my dear. We'll all sing and dance and be happy! Then the Santa will come with all your surprise gifts! 

Margaret: And the socks? Won't Santa be putting in gifts in my pink and white socks?

Mrs Smith (cuddling Margaret) : Have you been a good girl all the year? Did you listen to your elders?

Margaret (trying to think an answer for the deep question asked by Granny) : Yes, I think. I even planted trees! 

Mrs Smith: Then don't you worry! Santa will surely come with your special gift!

Margaret: Just like last year?

Mrs Smith: Yes my darling. Just like last year or maybe even better.

(Mrs Smith smiled as she spoke to Margaret. Just like last year she has planned a gift for Margaret this year too. She would slowly enter the room once Margaret fell asleep and would put it in the pink and white socks.)

Margaret: But Granny Smith, they were saying that more people will be coming tomorrow..They won't choose me right? I want to stay with you!

(She hugged Mrs. Smith.)

Mrs Smith (teary-eyed,with a smile): Dear, if any family chooses you that'll be great! There'll be so many people who would love you and adore you just like me! You will get a “Mumma”, a “Dadda” another Granny probably and they'll love you so much that you'll always feel happy and blessed, my dear.

Margaret: No! Even if I have to go, I'll come here everyday and you'll have to wait for me over here, on this bench, each day,okay? I'll be very angry with you if I come and see that you're not waiting for me over here. Ok?

Mrs. Smith: Okay darling!

(The merging of the Old-age home and the Orphanage had resulted in unbreakable bonds of pure love.)

~Susta Dasgupta