Every little soul in Mrs. Torres’ classroom was buzzing with excitement as they entered, each holding a big, shiny gift in their hands. The day had finally arrived—Secret Santa! The air smelled faintly of candy canes and pine, and laughter bounced off the walls as kids whispered and giggled about what surprises awaited them.
None of the children could wait to see what their Secret Santas had chosen. Their eyes sparkled with curiosity and a hint of greed—hoping to get the best, most amazing gift. But tucked away in a quiet corner of the room sat Bobby. He clutched an envelope tightly, his small shoulders hunched, and tears welled in his eyes. He felt a heavy weight in his chest, a mixture of fear and shame.
Mrs. Torres clapped her hands to gather attention. “So, kids, are we all ready?”
“Yes, Mrs. Torres!” a chorus of squeaky voices answered in perfect unison.
“Great!” she said, smiling warmly. “Let’s get started. Who wants to go first?”
“Me! Me! Pick me!” the children shouted, practically bouncing in their seats. But Mrs. Torres’ gaze drifted past the chaos to the corner where Bobby sat silently.
After a pause, she said gently, “I think Bobby can go first. Bobby, sweetheart, are you ready?”
The room went silent. All eyes turned to Bobby. He didn’t lift his head.
“Are you okay, child?” Mrs. Torres knelt beside him. “You got one of your classmates’ names for the game, didn’t you?”
Bobby nodded slowly, his voice barely above a whisper. “Sally… I got her name. But I… I don’t have a gift… just a letter…”
Mrs. Torres’ smile didn’t falter. “Oh, that’s perfectly fine, Bobby. I’m sure Sally will understand. Go ahead and give her the letter.”
Bobby’s legs shook as he stood and walked to Sally’s desk. His tiny hand extended the envelope toward her. “I’m sorry, Sally… I don’t have a gift, but I wrote you a letter,” he murmured.
Sally looked at the envelope with a sneer. “You wrote… a letter? Are you serious? You couldn’t even get me a gift? It’s Secret Santa, Bobby!”
“I… I’m sorry,” Bobby said softly. “I just… I couldn’t buy one for you…”
“I HATE YOU!” Sally screamed. “I got your name! My daddy bought you a nice gift, but you didn’t get me anything?”
“I made it myself,” Bobby said quietly. “I drew Santa and reindeer on it… because I know you love reindeer.”
Eww!” Sally crinkled her nose. “That’s awful! And so poor! I don’t want it! Look, everyone, Bobby’s so poor he couldn’t even get me a gift!”
Mrs. Torres stepped forward, her voice firm but gentle. “Sally, honey, that’s not kind. It’s okay if you don’t want to accept Bobby’s letter, but you should not be mean to him. Say sorry.”
“NO!” Sally shouted. “I won’t! He ruined my day! It’s not my problem he’s poor! He can go beg on the streets!”
Bobby slumped back into his seat, tears streaming down his cheeks. The classroom fell silent, heavy with awkward tension. Mrs. Torres sighed and continued the Secret Santa game, asking the other children to take their turns.
When the last bell rang, the children rushed out of the classroom, leaving behind a quiet stillness. Mrs. Torres noticed the envelope lying on Bobby’s desk. She picked it up and read the words carefully.
“Dear Santa… My wish…”
Her heart ached as she read on. Bobby’s handwriting was careful, his words heartfelt:
*”I am sorry, Sally. I am the worst Santa ever! You are a nice girl, and I feel very bad that I cannot get you a gift. My mommy is very sick. She has a bad heart and cannot walk. She uses Grampa’s old wheelchair.
I had saved money for your gift, but I need to give it to Mommy so she can get better. When she’s okay, I will ask her to get you a reindeer toy—you love reindeer. I drew one for you at the back.
I wish you and your mommy always stay happy. I hope the real Santa makes all your dreams come true.
—Bobby”*
Mrs. Torres couldn’t hold back her tears. She dashed out of the classroom, hoping to find Bobby—but he was gone. Her eyes fell on Sally, frowning in the hallway.
“Sally!” Mrs. Torres called. “Could you come here for a moment, honey?”
Sally turned, pouting. “Mrs. Torres, if this is about Bobby, I don’t want to talk!”
“It’s exactly about him, sweetheart,” Mrs. Torres said softly. “I think you should read what he wrote. It might change how you feel.”
Sally hesitated, then slowly unfolded the letter. As she read, her lips trembled, and soon tears streamed down her cheeks.
“His mommy… she’s sick?” Sally whispered. “I miss my mommy… she went to the angels when I was a baby…”
“She is sick, honey,” Mrs. Torres confirmed, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “That’s why Bobby couldn’t get a gift.”
Sally sobbed. “We have to help him, Mrs. Torres… I was so mean… so bad…”
Mrs. Torres hugged her. “No, honey. You have a beautiful heart. You understand your friend’s situation and want to help. Here’s what you can do: apologize to Bobby when he comes to school tomorrow. He’ll really appreciate it.”
The next day, when Bobby entered the classroom, Sally ran to his desk. “Bobby! I found your letter after you left, and I am so sorry. I don’t have a mommy, and I miss her so much… I just felt so bad…”
Bobby smiled brightly. “It’s okay! Did you like the reindeer?”
Sally giggled. “It was ugly! But I loved it! Thank you!”
From that day on, Bobby and Sally became close friends. But the story didn’t end there.
Later that day, Sally and her father, Michael, showed up at Bobby’s house, carrying a bag full of gifts and an envelope.
“Sally and I would like you to accept this,” Michael said to Bobby’s parents, Linda and Derek. “Sally told me about Bobby’s mother’s surgery. We want to help.”
Linda shook her head. “We can’t accept this… it would be wrong.”
“My wife is right,” Derek said kindly. “We appreciate your concern, but we can’t take it.”
“Please,” Michael insisted. “I know the pain of seeing a loved one suffer. My wife passed away shortly after Sally was born. Do this for our sake. It’s Christmas… let’s consider this something Santa would want.”
Bobby’s parents finally agreed, accepting the gifts and the envelope with money for Linda’s surgery. Once she recovered, their lives changed forever.
Sally no longer felt the ache of missing a mother. She found a best friend in Bobby—and a loving “Linda mommy” in his mother.
And the greatest lesson of all? A child’s heart is tender. Love and kindness can conquer fear and selfishness. Sally learned not to judge others too quickly and to always look for their story behind their actions.