The Christmas Box

Word Count: 308
Setting: A young woman has just moved into a different apartment and discovers something the previous tenant left behind.
Beginning:The woman is ending her day of moving with an entry into her diary.
Ending: The woman is in awe of what she found in the box in the closet.


Dear Diary,

Today is January 2 and it will be my first night in my new apartment. Moving is exhausting and I'm glad it's finished. Now all I have to do is put everything away! I had to buy take-out from the Chinese restaurant around the corner because the kitchen is a sea of boxes yet, as are most of the other rooms.

Getting unpacked will take time, so for now I've put most of the boxes marked "Miscellaneous" and "Odds and Ends" in various closets just to get them out of the way. In one of them I was surprised to find a box left behind by a previous tenant. While I know I shouldn't rummage through other people's things, curiosity was nearly consuming me so finally I gave in and sat on the floor to open it. "I might learn who it belongs to so I can return it," I reasoned, proud of my logic.

I carefully opened the flaps of the box and peered inside. "Hmmm, just a huge batch of old letters and such." While it didn't look very interesting, I spread a handful of the papers on the floor in front of me. There was an assortment of opened envelopes, all addressed in childlike scrawl, For Santa. "Gosh, did Santa live here?" I laughed aloud.

Then I paused to read some of the letters to Santa. Strange! Not one was asking him for toys or games. Instead, every one was thanking him for coming to visit them – in the orphanage – that special weekend before Christmas. His hearty laugh and tender hugs had meant more to each child than any mere gift could impart.

Putting the letters back into the box, a feeling of awe and wonder came over me. I silently vowed to return this priceless find to its owner, the true Santa!