By JANE TOMEK

Night veiled the city, capturing the humans in their own world of obscurity. The skyline flashed with gaudy neon lights, which overpowered the stars from above.

The wind whipped from the waterfront and tiny snow flakes swirled to the cement. The city rumbled with the sounds of impatient traffic, of humans scurrying, and of loud music, all of which echoed between the monstrous buildings.

The small child Shivered as she stood on the busy corner. She was not accustomed to such coldness. Everything at her home was warm with love, even the snow, which she and her friends (everyone was her friend at home) often romped barefoot through.

She wrapped her arms around herself as the wind fought with her flimsy frock and tousled her curly blond hair. Her chubby bare legs shook; and her feet, clad in light slippers, froze.

Humans bumped into her and pushed her, as if she were invisible. But she had to stay there a while to observe the humans for a lesson in thought.

She sheltered her ears with her plump hands, for she could not tolerate the city's awful noises: honking cars, revving motors, clanging bells, and shrill music. Her blue eyes stung from the city's heavy air and the artificial lights.

She almost cried out when she saw what the humans had done to the pine trees. Chopped from the forests and cluttered with unnatural decorations, the pines stood on display, caged in windows and lots.

Then the humans. Supposedly having the "Christmas Spirit," they nervously rushed about, jamming through doors, struggling with loads of packages and cursing: cursing at prices, at their children, at themselves, and at Christmas.

The little girl wondered why they were in such a hurry. At home, time was a lingering friend; but in the city time was an obsession used to do too much of everything and not enough of anything.

She watched priests pass by, talking about money, and watched wide‑eyed, smiling children honoring Santa Clauses along the street by begging for presents. "What a mockery!" the little girl thought.

The little girl deeply pitied the humans. Not a word had they mentioned about the Savior. Didn't the humans know Christmas was sacred?

She left earth to return home, and since learning her lesson so well, she left it with great appreciation for her home in the sky.