to buy the other something fancy. When they realize that they have made each other the very same thing, they laugh at this coincidence. After Buddy and his friend exchange their special gifts, they open more traditional gifts from the relatives with whom they live. Buddy expresses great disappointment with his clothing and year’s subscription to a religious magazine. There is nothing personal about these gifts; they are simply useful – not fun or imaginative. After his friend opens her more traditional gifts, she admits that the kite is her most treasured gift. These homemade “gifts from the heart” represent the true spirit of giving. Surely anyone can purchase a gift; not everyone can make a special gift designed specifically for someone else. Compare the description of the “coming of winter morning” in the opening paragraph to the description of the “coming of winter morning” at the bottom of paragraph seven at the end of the text. How has the tone changed? What does this signify? The winter setting at the beginning of the text creates a warm, nostalgic atmosphere. The kitchen during late November, or during “fruitcake weather”, is described as being part of an old house in a country town; next to the roaring fireplace are two rocking chairs, presumably for Buddy and his best friend. Once the ingredients for the thirty fruitcakes are gathered, the kitchen in this cozy county home is described as being the center of great activity; at the end of the day, the warm kitchen is the place where the two can finally rest after a long productive day. At the end of the text, Buddy’s friend cannot rouse herself to express her usual excitement that it is, indeed, “fruitcake weather”. The November morning is described as being “leafless” and “birdless”, thus signaling a distinct
to buy the other something fancy. When they realize that they have made each other the very same thing, they laugh at this coincidence. After Buddy and his friend exchange their special gifts, they open more traditional gifts from the relatives with whom they live. Buddy expresses great disappointment with his clothing and year’s subscription to a religious magazine. There is nothing personal about these gifts; they are simply useful – not fun or imaginative. After his friend opens her more traditional gifts, she admits that the kite is her most treasured gift. These homemade “gifts from the heart” represent the true spirit of giving. Surely anyone can purchase a gift; not everyone can make a special gift designed specifically for someone else. Compare the description of the “coming of winter morning” in the opening paragraph to the description of the “coming of winter morning” at the bottom of paragraph seven at the end of the text. How has the tone changed? What does this signify? The winter setting at the beginning of the text creates a warm, nostalgic atmosphere. The kitchen during late November, or during “fruitcake weather”, is described as being part of an old house in a country town; next to the roaring fireplace are two rocking chairs, presumably for Buddy and his best friend. Once the ingredients for the thirty fruitcakes are gathered, the kitchen in this cozy county home is described as being the center of great activity; at the end of the day, the warm kitchen is the place where the two can finally rest after a long productive day. At the end of the text, Buddy’s friend cannot rouse herself to express her usual excitement that it is, indeed, “fruitcake weather”. The November morning is described as being “leafless” and “birdless”, thus signaling a distinct
9.%20A%20Christmas%20Memory.%20lesson%20-%20Story.docx