Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck

I know it’s Christmas, but we still have to do the work.” Seconds later, he heard the knock at the door, and his Father’s wake-up call: “Son, it’s time to get up. He ran back to the house, crept up the stairs and climbed back into bed. By the time he was finished it was nearly four o’clock. On this Christmas morning, it didn’t even seem like work as he thought about how surprised his father would be. He milked the cow, poured the milk into the tall cans, put the canvas fabric over it, got the hay for the horses, and did everything I was supposed to do. Finally, he got up at 1:45 am, got dressed, and quietly tiptoed down the stairs, exited the house and made his way to the barn.

He was so excited as he went to bed on Christmas Eve, he kept waking up to look at the clock. Even on Christmas day the cows have to be milked and fed. Finally, he had a great idea: I will do the chores on Christmas day. My dad cares about me. Christmas was approaching, and the young man wondered what he could give his dad. He’s growing so much and he needs his sleep.” His mother sympathized, but also knew that he needed to learn to work.įor the first time in his life, the boy thought, My dad loves me. One morning, while his mother was making breakfast, he heard his father say, “I hate to wake him so early.

The boy disliked the morning routine immensely, but he did what he had to do to contribute. It’s about a young boy who is awakened very early every morning to help his father milk the cows and shovel hay for the animals. In 1977, BYU produced a film called “The Gift” based on the book. The story beautifully illustrates a strong work ethic, the everyday nature of farm work, and the giving of oneself. Buck called Christmas Day in the Morning. Each December, part of our family tradition is reading the story by Pearl S.

Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck