A Christmas Story
By JB_girl
@sol_cee (38669)
Philippines
December 19, 2018 1:55am CST
Ten year old Lito opens the rickety door of the small shack he calls home. He hangs the unsold Christmas lantern on the window, admiring its glossy façade for a second. Emptying the small plastic bag of stuff he bought from selling Christmas lanterns today, he lays them neatly on the table- some roasted chicken, a few slices of queso de bola and a loaf of stale bread. Grandfather would soon be home from repairing shoes at the plaza. Lito looks at the simple gift he got for him. Outside, carolers are belting out beautiful Christmas songs and Lito smiles.
** This is my take on the 100-word Christmas Story challenge. A typical scene in my home country where young children sell Christmas lanterns on the street, where queso de bola- red, round ball of cheese, is served on the table for festive Christmas dinners, and where carolers fill the air with their merry rendition of Oh Holy Night. Merry Christmas everyone!
Photo is of Christmas lanterns in the Philippines.
20 people like this
19 responses
@responsiveme (22923)
• India
19 Dec 18
I loved the glimpse of your country and the spirit of Christmas in your story.
3 people like this
@responsiveme (22923)
• India
19 Dec 18
@sol_cee We mothers are Litos....More so in your case ,I admire your choice
3 people like this
@allknowing (153529)
• India
19 Dec 18
Seems something typical of your country not seen anywhere else. Good try.
3 people like this
@allknowing (153529)
• India
19 Dec 18
@sol_cee Not words but what is done in your country. No one sells lanterns here.
2 people like this
@sol_cee (38669)
• Philippines
19 Dec 18
@allknowing Right, right. And some people might not know what a queso de bola is.
2 people like this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
19 Dec 18
Ilocosboy has the same discussion title as yours but different content :)
2 people like this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
19 Dec 18
@sol_cee Oh is that so? So, did you hit the mark?
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
19 Dec 18
i bought two of those parols and their tails flutter in the wind.
the old capiz one that lights up has been retired (too many busted bulbs) and a new one is so expensive.
ARM (aka responsiveme) said the same thing - she wanted a local touch to her story - and i'm happy you did the same.
a brand of cheese has come out with a quezo de bola variant. i might buy that. the round one takes so long to consume.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45628)
• Philippines
19 Dec 18
@sol_cee definitely more than 10 years, probably 15?
1 person likes this
@sol_cee (38669)
• Philippines
19 Dec 18
@hereandthere wow! The parol deserves a loyalty service award. ;)
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
20 Dec 18
a very touching Christmas story of the not-so-privileged Filipinos, but still has the spirit of belonging in a family.
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
19 Dec 18
I love Christmas lanterns too! And made sure one or two hangs in front of our house before Christmas.
1 person likes this
@ilocosboy (45155)
• Philippines
19 Dec 18
I like the way how you narrate the story, you are a writer.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
15 Oct 19
It wont be long til Christmas again..this is lovely JB xo
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
21 Dec 18
Thank you for sharing this glimpse of your home country. Very nice story.
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
20 Dec 18
It's a very nice story and a look at your culture at Christmas.
@KOLAMsegaran1 (4137)
• Bekasi, Indonesia
19 Dec 18
Sorry I did not attend Christmas. but I respect those who celebrate it
1 person likes this
