Sample

Ever since Ben could remember he'd been aware that he was different from most of his class mates. He didn't have a brother or sister. His Mummy had always told him he was an only child. But to Ben it was more than that, he thought of himself as the all alone child.

He'd no special friend either. It just wasn't fair, all his class mates seemed to make friends easily with each other, yet they'd also got their own special friend at home. A brother or sister. Ben had always found it very hard to make friends with the others at school as he was shy because he wasn't used to speaking to other people his age. He'd become so used to going everywhere with his Mummy and Daddy, but his class mates didn't see it like that, they called him a cissy. He wasn't really and if he was given the opportunity he could play and have fun the same as all the other children.

Every year when he wrote his Christmas letter to Father Christmas he asked for a brother or sister to be there Christmas morning. He made sure he put on his note this was the thing he wanted the most of all. His Mummy, on seeing his notes, had tried to explain to him, \"Now don't be disappointed if you don't get all you ask Father Christmas to bring. He has a lot of other boys and girls to get presents for as well, so he can't get everybody everything they ask for, now can he?\"
\"I suppose not, but Mummy they won't have all asked for a brother or sister, so he must have one spare to give to me.\"
\"Yes love, I know all that but sometimes Father Christmas just can't get you all the presents that you ask for because of one reason or another which isn't our business to know. Now let's hear no more about it and think about what you can ask for and should get.\"

But Ben was too upset to think of anything else and threw himself crying into his Mummy's arms, \"Please Mummy you tell him, he might listen to you.\"
\"I will if you stop crying, but maybe you should think of other things you'd like as well. What about a nice new shiny bicycle.\"
\"That's not the same at all. A bicycle can't play and chat with me.\"
\"Now that's being silly. You can go nice bicycle rides, and you never know, you might even meet some new friends whilst you're out. Anyway we'll just have to see what happens.\"

But Ben knew when his Mummy spoke like that he wasn't going to get what he wanted the most of all. So on Christmas morning it was no real shock to see no brother or sister there. It was just as he'd expected.

Once back at school he heard his class mates talking about what they'd got for Christmas and he realised Father Christmas had always been very kind to him in other ways. He always got everything else he asked for, only the brother or sister were missing each Christmas morning.

Not only had he no brother or sister but he'd still no special friend with anybody at school. Try as he might he just couldn't seem to make friends. Instead he'd always found it easier to talk to his teddy as if he was a friend, because the children at school seemed a bit frightening. They all looked at him in a funny sort of way. He knew it was a good job they didn't know about teddy otherwise they would have laughed and mocked him even more. He just couldn't understand why they laughed so much at him and shouted funny things to him when they laughed. \"Well, what did Father Christmas bring mummy's little boy?\" they chanted after the Christmas holiday.

Feeling pleased that, at last, they seemed interested in him he ignored being called a mummy's little boy and replied happily, \" Oh! A lovely new bicycle that is bright red with a silver bell. Lots of other things, cars and games and plenty of sweets. Oh and a toy gun.\"

Now as they looked at him he wasn't quite sure if they were being as friendly as they had first seemed. They started to sneer, \"Aren't you the lucky one\".

Ben moved silently away feeling inside himself it was best to say no more to them. This was what he seemed to have to do all the time, keep out of their way and go into any quiet corner he could.

Now he told his teddy all about it that night. Teddy became real to him as he cuddled him tight and in his distress he asked of him, \"Oh! why can't I have a brother or sister then I'd have a proper friend.\"

But there was no reply from Teddy and the tears splashed down Ben's cheeks as he asked again, \"Well at least I could have a best friend, couldn't I?\"

As no answer came again, Ben began to feel cross with his teddy and started to throw his precious teddy up and down in the air. \"Oh you stupid thing, why can't you answer me then I would really be able to have you as my best friend. That's all I want, somebody my age to talk to and play with. It's not a lot to ask.\"

Giving his teddy one final throw into the air he added, \"All I'm left with is a silly teddy with one eye.\"

Now he sobbed into his pillow and the dreams slowly took over as he imagined playing with a true best friend.

View Synopsis View Information Purchase Options