The Most Beautiful Gift Read Online Free PDF

even a magic herb, an enchanted animal, or a chip off the philosopher’s stone.
    “‘And what does this mean?’ the king asked immediately, black in the face. Even the courtchamberlain, who was near the throne, had the same dark expression. ‘Beware, if you’re playing some sort of trick on me …’
    “Buffello responded with a smile. He was thinking of the words his grandson had related to him the day before. ‘It is the
     spirit of Christmas, Your Majesty. In other words, nothing. It is something you cannot see, touch, or taste. It is something
     that is born here.’ He lightly tapped his chest with his forefinger. ‘In our hearts. No alchemy could create a similar marvel.’
    “‘But then …’ interjected the chamberlain. ‘Snow, mistletoe, gifts, children’s carols don’t count for anything?’
    “‘Oh yes, they count,’ replied the wizard. ‘But only on the condition that you feel happy inside. If we are not good during
     the year, if we behave badly, a lack of Christmas spirit is not the reason. It all depends on us, even our own happiness.
     A heart of ice will surely not melt in the month of December.’
    “The king remained absorbed in his thoughts for a few minutes. ‘Sire, this man has swindledus,’ whispered the chamberlain. ‘I propose that we tie him to the torture wheel, then banish him from the kingdom.’
    “‘Oh, shut up, you viper!’ the sovereign finally burst out. ‘I believe you are precisely one of those with a heart of ice.’
     He lifted his scepter and rested it on the wizard’s shoulder. ‘Buffello, you have taught all of us a great lesson that we
     will never forget. In compensation, I command that you be given a thousand gold coins and a case of brand-new test tubes.’
    “Buffello smiled contentedly, bowed to the king, and left the palace. Back in his laboratory, he found Buffetto. ‘So, how
     did it go?’ asked the boy. The wizard hugged him with all his might and kissed his brow. ‘The king even gave me a reward!
     Naturally, we will split it.’
    “Buffetto shook his head. ‘No, Grampa, you keep it all for yourself. You deserve it. But remember: The spirit of Christmas
     either exists or doesn’t exist. No one will ever be able to make it out of thin air. Never ever.’”

The
Snow
Comes
     
    T he fairy tale having ended, Grampa focused his gaze on Mark. “So, did you understand?”
    The boy furrowed his brow. “Yes, I think so.”
    “That snowflake wasn’t at all important. I mean, it was important to you because it represented Christmas. But the spirit
     of the holiday is in your soul, and no one can steal it from you.”
    “So, it doesn’t matter if the snowflake turned to ice.”
    Grampa smiled. “Right. Just make sure thatthe same thing doesn’t happen to your heart. But I don’t think you have to worry about that.”
    “But it was the first snowflake in December. For me, it was really important, and why I wanted to give it to the best person
     on earth.” Mark pointed to his grandfather. “To you, I mean.”
    “Oh, thank you, but I don’t think I am the best person of all. Everyone has their faults.”
    “Like what?” The boy was suddenly very interested.
    The old man blushed. “Now is not the time to discuss them. Only remember that no one is born without flaws. Everyone has his
     or her own defects. It is important that he or she also have some virtues. That’s all. People should be accepted as they are.”
    “Even the storekeeper, the doctor, and the philosophy professor?”
    “Certainly.”
    All of a sudden, Mark’s expression became sad. His eyebrows folded downward and his eyes dampened. Grampa Gus noticed immediately.“And now what’s the matter?” he asked tenderly.
    The boy took some time to reply. “I understood everything you just told me,” he finally said. “But I was hoping to keep at
     least one snowflake, especially since I probably won’t see any others.”
    “And who said so?”
    Mark pointed out the