TWIST5: Christmas Story

Christmas Story

by Jonathan Arwan XII MIPA 6

Christmas didn’t feel the same this year. Ever since her dad lost his job, Lily’s house had been quiet and tense. Her mom forced smiles, her older brother Max stayed in his room, and even Charlie, their dog, seemed to sense something was wrong.

One snowy afternoon, Lily wandered into town, hoping to find something to lift her spirits. That’s when she saw the antique shop, tucked between the bakery and hardware store. She stepped inside, drawn to a shimmering snow globe on a dusty shelf.

The shopkeeper, a kind old man, smiled at her. “This snow globe is special,” he said. “It grants a single wish, but only if you truly believe.”

Lily stared at the globe, the tiny village inside glowing softly. She thought of her family and whispered, “I wish for us to be happy again.”

When she opened her eyes, the man and the shop were gone. Startled, she hurried home, unsure if she’d imagined it all.

That night, things began to change. Max joined the family for dinner, making their dad laugh for the first time in weeks. Her mom got a call about a job for her dad, and even Charlie seemed more energetic. Over the next few days, their house slowly filled with laughter, music, and warmth again.

On Christmas Eve, Lily noticed the snow globe sitting on the mantel. Inside, the tiny figures of her family were laughing, baking, playing with Charlie. She ran to show her parents, explaining the shop and the wish.

Her dad chuckled and pulled out an old box. “Lily, we found this in the attic last week. It was Grandma’s. She always said it was magic.”

Lily stared at the globe, her heart racing. “But the shop… the man…”

Her mom hugged her. “Maybe you didn’t need the globe, sweetie. Maybe it was you who brought us back together.”

Lily placed the globe back on the mantel, watching the snow swirl inside. For a moment, she thought she saw the old man’s face smiling back at her.

“Merry Christmas,” she whispered, and for the first time in a long time, it truly was.