The Five Golden Orbs
The children found them hidden inside the bushes in the back yard just as the sun was setting. They noticed the glow of lights coming from within the small holly bush. Mystified, they had walked up slowly to the shining bush and peered in through the holly leaves.
Five shining orbs of gold lay nestled hidden in the crooks of the branches inside the bush.
“What are they?” The girl child asked.
“I don’t know!” The boy child answered.
They were curious and the glow coming from the shiny orbs was not scary. The emitting light was golden and soft.
The boy reached in and grabbed one of the orbs. It was warm to the touch. But not too warm, just pleasantly so. The girl seeing that the orb rested comfortably in the boy’s hand reached in and grabbed another orb. She held it close and stared at the swirling light shining from within.
“They are pretty, aren’t they?” She said.
“Yes, yes they are.” He replied. “Lets take the rest of them and go inside.” He didn’t wait for her answer just reached inside the bush and pulled out two more. “You get the last one, but come on let’s hurry before anyone sees them.”
She followed his directions, first grabbing the last golden orb in her free hand and then hurrying after him 
as he ran into the house, carefully cradling the glowing orbs in his arms.
They walked through the hallway into the tiny living room and laid the golden balls on the wooden floor. The orbs were shining even brighter than before.
To the small boy and girl, sitting on the floor of the poorly lit living room, this glorious glow was a thrilling one. Their father was working late again but they knew he’d be home soon and would expect his meal laid out for him. The Christmas tree they had convinced him to bring home the day before stood dark and lonely in one corner of the room, on the other side was the table where they had laid out his bowl, cup and spoon. His soup was in the cooking pot waiting to be served.
The children looked from the orbs to the tree and got the same idea at the same time. Excitedly they 
grabbed up the glowing orbs and placed them in different places throughout the tree. Each ball settled into it’s spot as if it belonged there. When they were done, they stood back and looked at the Christmas tree. It was now lit up with a golden glow that cast away the shadows in the room and illuminated everything making them feel like they were rich and not so very poor.
They stood there viewing the beautiful lite up tree and then the girl had a sudden thought. With a worried look upon her face she turned to her brother and said “What about Hanna?”
“What about her?” He answered.
“Well, it’s just that her cottage is so very dark, if we took one of these shiny orbs to her, she could place it somewhere in her room and be able to see better at night!”
“That’s true,” He said. “And you know that Bertha and Henry’s cottages a little further away have the same 
problem with not having much light in their homes.” And as the children talked they thought of two more neighbors that they could share the shiny light of their orbs with.
Hurrying quickly they removed the five orbs out of their Christmas tree and carried them down the lane to each of their needy neighbors who with great pleasure and astonishment accepted the gift of a brightly lighted orb.
The children raced back to the house feeling good inside as they thought of the pleasure they had brought to their friends and neighbors.
They were silent and a little disappointed as they realized they wouldn’t have a beautifully lit tree to show their father when they walked inside their hut. Still they did feel good about the gifts they had given. As they walked into the living area of their hut they stopped suddenly staring at the sight in front of them. Where they had expected a darkened tree was a magnificently glowing Christmas tree shining from top to bottom with a most wonderful golden radiance.
“But how can this be?” The little girl asked with wonder. “We gave the orbs away!”
The little boy shook his head, gazing in amazement at the beautiful sight in front of him. They both heard the front door open as their dad trudged into the house. They looked once more at their shiny golden tree and then ran to greet their father and to share this wonderful gift with him.
The tree shone brightly, the light following in the footsteps of two little children who without realizing had given and received the most perfect gift of all.
“When you give with love in your heart ~ your gift will return to you” ~ Penny L Howe
~
This story ~ my gift to all my wonderful blogger friends. Enjoy with your loved ones the true meaning of this time of year, Thank you for the visit. Please feel free to share this story with your children and grandchildren with my blessing.
~ Penny
Stefanie Neumann
January 2, 2013 at 4:56 am
Thank you for this beautiful story, Penny.
pennycoho
January 2, 2013 at 3:48 pm
You are most welcome Stefanie!
Ralph
December 23, 2012 at 12:35 pm
Yes !!! Love the story and the theme
Ralph x
pennycoho
December 23, 2012 at 2:07 pm
Thank you Ralph, sending affection your way today, Penny
xx
Ralph
December 23, 2012 at 3:02 pm
And back to you Penny. have we got a game of ping-pong going on here ?
pennycoho
December 23, 2012 at 3:03 pm
I’m good with that flow Ralph, beside I really really like a good game of ping pong!
Ralph
December 23, 2012 at 3:08 pm
Your serve
pennycoho
December 23, 2012 at 3:46 pm
Oh the pressure!
readinpleasure
December 19, 2012 at 10:33 am
How wonderful
pennycoho
December 19, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Thank you Celestine!
marina kanavaki
December 19, 2012 at 12:51 am
Oh, thank YOU for this wonderful gift, Penny!!!!
Wonderful story and a true gift!
Be well, my friend and happy happy holidays, from my heart!
utesmile
December 18, 2012 at 10:37 pm
This is a wonderful heartwarming story. You write so beautifully what a great gift you have. With love Ute x
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Thank you Ute, I appreciate your compliment very much, Merry Christmas my friend! with love to you, Penny xo
Christina ~
December 18, 2012 at 9:46 pm
So beautifully poignant…and what I truly believe…you get what you give…I agree with the others…you should publish this!!
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Thank you very much Christina, you may have a point there!
Asha Seth
December 18, 2012 at 9:09 pm
The kids couldn’t have given another perfect gift to their friends and neighbors for the festive season. Truely, real happiness lies in the act of giving. And it always comes around.
I narrated this story to my 2 year old cousin and she had eyes lit up like those orbs in the picture. I am not sure she totally understood it but seemed fascinated with the idea of bringing a light tree at home(for her, christmas trees are light trees owing to the bright light streamer decorations). Well, she is going to drag me to get one, Im sure!
Enjoyed reading the story, Penny!
-Asha
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 10:23 pm
Thank you Asha, I am so happy it brought pleasure to both you and your cousin, again many thanks and Merry Christmas to you and your family, Penny
Asha Seth
December 22, 2012 at 2:30 am
Thank you Penny! As sweet as you are, I love visiting here!
-Asha
pennycoho
December 22, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Robyn Lee
December 18, 2012 at 8:21 pm
Such a perfect story for this special season Penny ! Yes – love multiplies when it is given generously this way… You need to get this one published ~ Thank you for this precious gift! Love to you xxoo RL
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Thank you so much Robyn, I think you may be right about having it published. It is rather short though! Love you loads, Penny xox
RoSy
December 18, 2012 at 7:27 pm
You said it. I love giving. I love seeing people happy & looking at their smiles. It just feels great! I wish I could do more…
But – even something as simple as saying hello & smiling to a stranger feels great – especially the part when their faces brighten up & they smile back.
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 10:13 pm
Hi RoSy! So very very true! Always, my “wishful next door neighbor”! I agree 100% with you!
charliezero1.wordpress.com
December 18, 2012 at 5:45 pm
There’s something special about this blog. It’s very uplifting and greatly spirited glow.
I love this and love what you said. 
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 10:09 pm
Thank you Charlie, very much!
charliezero1.wordpress.com
December 19, 2012 at 1:52 pm
You’re so welcome.
liz blackmore
December 18, 2012 at 5:35 pm
Reblogged this on little box of books and commented:
A lovely tale!
Playamart - Zeebra Designs
December 18, 2012 at 4:56 pm
This is a beautiful story. It should be in print, and a classic Christmas story for all children, young and old! z
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Thank you very much. Your praise means much to me my friend!
liz blackmore
December 18, 2012 at 5:33 pm
I agree! Heartwarming tale!
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 5:58 pm
Thank you very much!
IdealisticRebel
December 18, 2012 at 4:24 pm
Reblogged this on idealisticrebel and commented:
No matter your spiritual path, living and sharing light and love make the world glow with joy and goodness.
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Thank you very much ~ Penny
IdealisticRebel
December 18, 2012 at 4:22 pm
No matter what path you are celebrating, this story cuts to the basics. Sharing light and love in the world.
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 4:25 pm
Thank you so much. It is a pleasure for me to write stories that are uplifting and as you say cut to the basics!
Books & Art - Spirit & Soul - Lesley Fletcher
December 18, 2012 at 3:59 pm
This is lovely. Orbs representing light and the circles of life. Thank you dear Penny.
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 4:02 pm
My pleasure Leslie. Some things are truly enjoyable to write!
lenwilliamscarver
December 18, 2012 at 3:44 pm
so warm and loving a story…Merry Christmas (((xx)))
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 3:46 pm
Hi Len, thank you so much dear friend of mine. Christmas activities made you crazy yet? There is so much about it that I love, but one does stay very busy! hugs right back atcha’!
xx
LuAnn
December 18, 2012 at 3:42 pm
A truly heartwarming Christmas story with a beautiful message. Merry Christmas to you and your family Penny.
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Thank you LuAnn. These kinds of stories I think I could enjoy writing forever. Merry Christmas to the two of you, where will you be on New Years Eve?
LuAnn
December 18, 2012 at 3:48 pm
We will be in San Diego until the end of January.
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Okay, good to know! I’m at your blog now doing a little catch up reading!
A Dog With Fleas
December 18, 2012 at 3:34 pm
What a wonderful story of the true gift of giving!
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 3:42 pm
Thank you, it is how I feel about people and life in general so it was an enjoyable story for me to write, again my thanks!
Alastair
December 18, 2012 at 3:29 pm
Reblogged this on Alastair's Blog and commented:
A truly magnificent story from the Lady of Letters
Alastair
December 18, 2012 at 3:28 pm
What a truly magnificent story Penny. Thank you.
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Hi Alastair my dearest friend! Still busy off the wall with multiple agendas but wanted to get a Christmas story out to everyone, hope you and your family are in the Christmas spirit and enjoying yourselves!
Alastair
December 18, 2012 at 3:40 pm
This time of year is definitely a busy time … I still haven’t posted my daily song yet. I’ll be doing that in a minute. Reasons for that are not for general ears (I’ll send you an email) But I’m very nearly done
Hope everything is going well for you. I miss your daily posts, but I know you must be busy with Christmas being right on top of us (where did that come from?)
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Yeah who knew?
Alastair
December 18, 2012 at 3:48 pm
I started in September and I’m behind
It crept up and said boo
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 3:48 pm
I think many are not ready (including here)!
Alastair
December 18, 2012 at 3:50 pm
Yep I agree. Not that I can see there, my eyesight isn’t that good LOL
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 3:58 pm
boomiebol
December 18, 2012 at 3:27 pm
Beautiful!!! Was thinking about you earlier today and told myself to send you a tweet or something, and I forgot…shame on me…hugs and love
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Thank you Boomie, you’re a busy lady, that I was in your thoughts at all makes me feel very special indeed, hugs and love to you also!
diannegray
December 18, 2012 at 3:09 pm
What a beautiful story, Penny! I love these kinds of gifts
pennycoho
December 18, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Thank you Dianne, these are a pleasure to write!