A story like "the gift" will help students understand how you can be happy in little things and why it is always important to be appreciative of people's effort.
This story revolves around a young boy who eagerly waits for his christmas gift and how his parents managed to give him the best christmas present ever.
Introduction to the Gift Story in English
The short story titled ‘the gift’ is set in the future where humans are going on space missions. The protagonist of our tale is a small boy who was waiting for his parents to bring him a present during Christmas time. However, the parents could not carry a gift for their son in the rocket due to customs issues, and hatched another plan to make him happy. What is interesting about the gift story in English is that it is a sci-fi bedtime tale for young children, with fascinating elements such as space travel, colonization of Mars, and likewise. In addition, the story has a beautiful touch of humanity to make it relatable to young kids. Thus, it is an excellent way for children to expand their horizons, and venture into fantastical worlds of outer space.
Origin of the Gift Story in English
The gift is a short bedtime story written by American author Ramond Douglas, popularly known as Ray Bradbury. He is considered an icon of American literature, and his best-known book Fahrenheit 451 also won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize Special Citation. What makes the story of the gift unique is that it includes dense sci-fi themes that are attuned to meet the requirements of a child, thereby making it one of the best short stories for children.
The Gift Story Summary
The story begins on the Christman eve of 2050, when a young boy is waiting eagerly for his parents, as he would be going on his first space trip soon. The parents were coming in an airplane. At the customs table, the parents were forced to leave the gift they had brought for their son, along with other things, which made them sad.
The little boy was waiting at the airport terminal for his parents and they both were overjoyed to meet each other. Suddenly, they heard the siren for the rocket’s takeoff, and began boarding it. Although it was an enthralling moment, the parents could see that their child was visibly upset because of the lack of gifts. The mother asked the little boy why he was so upset but the boy did not reply.
As the rocket moved, the earth looked like a round bluish globe and they were heading towards space at an accelerated pace. The journey felt timeless as there were no months, years, minutes, or hours. The little boy and his parents slept the whole day. When it was nearing midnight by earth’s time, the little boy woke up and said that he wanted to go to the front and take a window seat so that he could see outside. But, the father told him to wait.
Soon, the listless little boy brought up the topic of Christmas, and asked his parents if he would be getting a gift with candles and a Christmas tree. The mother was dismayed by his question and started feeling guilty. But, to her surprise, the father said that he would, in fact, receive a gift. The boy was thrilled with excitement.
The father went away for a while and came back and said that it was almost time for the gift. He asked the time, and when it was exactly midnight, he took his son and his wife along the room down a hallway. They went inside a large dark cabin, behind which was a dimly lit room. Both the little boy and his mother were perplexed. Before them was a massive window with a thick glass with which they could look into the outer space.
The little boy gasped in awe at the magnificent view of the space. Behind them, the fellow passengers began to sing Christmas carols. The little boy, thus, had a perfect Christmas. So, there we have it, the gift story summary.
A Graphical Representation of Outer Space
The Gift Story Moral
The underlying moral of this beautiful Gift story is that ‘where there is a will, there is a way.’ Despite the circumstances, the father did not give up and made sure his child was happy by presenting him a unique Christmas gift. In addition, we also learn that it is not always the materialistic gifts that matter but the special efforts and unique experiences are an excellent way to make others happy.
Note to Parents
The gift story in English by Ray Bradbury is a one-of-a-kind tale that every young kid should read. It helps them expand their horizons, and enhance their imaginations. Sci-fi kid stories like this are rare to find, and therefore it is important to find as many as possible. They help children learn about different scientific concepts and possibilities, and help them to dream big. Thus, parents and teachers should encourage their children to inculcate the habit of reading short bedtime stories. Moreover, opting for the Gift story PDF is a good way to start.
FAQs on Short Story of the Gift in English for Kids
1. Where was the little boy going?
The little boy was going on his first space travel in a rocket.
2. Why was the mother dismayed when the little boy began enquiring about Christmas?
The mother was dismayed when her son began questioning about Christmas because they did not have any gifts or a Christmas tree to present him, and she did want to see him upset.
3. What was the ultimate Christmas present for the boy?
The boy’s father prepared a starry surprise for his son, and the ultimate gift was an awe-inspiring view of outer space with stars, moons, and planets all around.
A story like "the gift" will help students understand how you can be happy in little things and why it is always important to be appreciative of people's effort.
This story revolves around a young boy who eagerly waits for his christmas gift and how his parents managed to give him the best christmas present ever.
