The Little Christmas Tree That Decorated Itself
By Roy F. Chalker Sr.

(Editor's note: The following Christmas story was written many years ago by the late Roy F. Chalker Sr.)

Once upon a time, just before Christmas, there was a little tree, one of many, in a group being sold to eager families for their very own Christmas trees.

Some of the trees were large and some were small. Some were graceful and some were shaped like a heart standing on its head.

Some were very dignified and were not only meant for children, while others were jolly looking - just like Santa himself.

But, one little tree was slightly bent and not very attractive at all. It was hidden over behind all the rest, not likely to be seen. It shyly looked at all the beautiful trees around it and was glad they were finding families to spend Christmas with. At least they would be dressed in baubles and tinsel and be beautiful and have many gifts at their feet.

The bent little tree was happy for everyone as it watched fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers patting and selecting while children urged them on.

But slowly, all the other trees were being chosen while the lonely little tree became more lonely. Finally, it was too much. The little tree began to cry. As the tears fell on the green branches they stuck and froze into beautiful diamonds, which glowed and sparkled in the late evening. But, no one could see, because the little bent tree was hidden from the people out front.

But then, a quiet little boy came to the man selling trees. He stood to one side for a long time before he could muster the courage to say, "Mister, I only have a quarter. Do you have a tree I can buy?"

"Yes. You can have that little crooked tree you will find at the back of the lot. It's not much of a tree but you can have it for nothing."

The little fellow's face lit up as he hurried to find his tree. To his happy amazement, he found the most beautiful tree in the world. It was already decorated with the finest array of sparkling jewels and it had a very special glow of its own - as if it were bubbling over with happiness. It was no longer ugly.

It became the centerpiece of Christmas happiness for a special little boy and his family. And, the tears it had cried were turned into permanent jewels - permanent at least for all the Christmas Holidays.

And this is how a lonely little tree decorated itself.