Clorinda's Gifts Page #2

"Clorinda's Gifts" is a heartwarming short story by Lucy Maud Montgomery that centers around Clorinda, a generous and imaginative woman living in a small community. As she prepares for the Christmas season, Clorinda reflects on the true meaning of giving and the impact of her thoughtful gifts on those around her. Through rich storytelling and vivid characterizations, Montgomery explores themes of kindness, imagination, and the warmth of community, illustrating how small acts of generosity can bring joy and connection during the holiday season. The narrative beautifully captures the spirit of Christmas and the importance of heartfelt gestures.

• Short story

								

father's books. I have so many of his, you know, so that I wouldn't
miss one; but still it was one I loved very much, and so I felt that
that love made it worth while. That is, I felt that on second thought.
At first, Aunt Emmy, I thought I would be ashamed to offer Miss
Mitchell a shabby old book, worn with much reading and all marked over
with father's notes and pencillings. I was afraid she would think it
queer of me to give her such a present. And yet somehow it seemed to
me that it was better than something brand new and unmellowed--that
old book which father had loved and which I loved. So I gave it to
her, and she understood. I think it pleased her so much, the real
meaning in it. She said it was like being given something out of
another's heart and life.

"Then you know Mrs. Martin ... last year she was Miss Hope, my dear
Sunday School teacher. She married a home missionary, and they are in
a lonely part of the west. Well, I wrote her a letter. Not just an
ordinary letter; dear me, no. I took a whole day to write it, and you
should have seen the postmistress's eyes stick out when I mailed it. I
just told her everything that had happened in Greenvale since she went
away. I made it as newsy and cheerful and loving as I possibly could.
Everything bright and funny I could think of went into it.

"The next was old Aunt Kitty. You know she was my nurse when I was a
baby, and she's very fond of me. But, well, you know, Aunt Emmy, I'm
ashamed to confess it, but really I've never found Aunt Kitty very
entertaining, to put it mildly. She is always glad when I go to see
her, but I've never gone except when I couldn't help it. She is very
deaf, and rather dull and stupid, you know. Well, I gave her a whole
day. I took my knitting yesterday, and sat with her the whole time and
just talked and talked. I told her all the Greenvale news and gossip
and everything else I thought she'd like to hear. She was so pleased
and proud; she told me when I came away that she hadn't had such a
nice time for years.

"Then there was ... Florence. You know, Aunt Emmy, we were always
intimate friends until last year. Then Florence once told Rose Watson
something I had told her in confidence. I found it out and I was so
hurt. I couldn't forgive Florence, and I told her plainly I could
never be a real friend to her again. Florence felt badly, because she
really did love me, and she asked me to forgive her, but it seemed as
if I couldn't. Well, Aunt Emmy, that was my Christmas gift to her ...
my forgiveness. I went down last night and just put my arms around her
and told her that I loved her as much as ever and wanted to be real
close friends again.

"I gave Aunt Mary her gift this morning. I told her I wasn't going to
Murraybridge, that I just meant to stay home with her. She was so
glad--and I'm glad, too, now that I've decided so."

"Your gifts have been real gifts, Clorinda," said Aunt Emmy.
"Something of you--the best of you--went into each of them."

Clorinda went out and brought her cornery armful in.

"I didn't forget you, Aunt Emmy," she said, as she unpinned the paper.

There was a rosebush--Clorinda's own pet rosebush--all snowed over
with fragrant blossoms.

Aunt Emmy loved flowers. She put her finger under one of the roses and
kissed it.

"It's as sweet as yourself, dear child," she said tenderly. "And it
will be a joy to me all through the lonely winter days. You've found
out the best meaning of Christmas giving, haven't you, dear?"

"Yes, thanks to you, Aunt Emmy," said Clorinda softly.
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