A Strange Gift By: Charlene Li

There is a small town by the sea. The town is very tiny but the civilians there are all very happy. Although the town is small, it’s very exquisite and quaint.

There is an aisle leads from the sea to the church where the couple can have their blissful wedding. Beside the beach there is a cafe, where you can drink coffee while enjoying the sea breeze as it touches your hair, face and body. The restaurant there is very famous, because the ingredients are very fresh and the seafood there is very tasty.

In the East of the town is a very big market. There you can buy anything you want. In the center of the town is a school with a big garden in front the garden is a fountain. In this comfortable town, everyone has a busy life that they lead on.

There is a thirteen years old girl called Caroline who has a pair of big brown eyes, and very long black curly hair and there are freckles on her face. Caroline is very thoughtful. She always thinks too much. She always cares about others, and she is also jovial and gentle. Caroline live in the small town with her parents and her little sister. Caroline’s sister, Helen’s character is the complete opposite of Caroline’s character. She is very naughty and conscientious. Helen has a pair of brown eyes like her sister, but the difference is that Helen’s hair is black, short and straight.

No one knew that a strange thing is about to happen in this quaint, small town.

One day. The sun shone brightly and there was dew on the grass. Caroline goes to school as usual, when she opens the door, there is a delicate gift on the doormat in front of their floor. It’s in the purple wrapping paper and with a pink ribbon. On the top of the gift, a line of words is standing on there: TO CHANTAL. Caroline is very bewildered. She opens the gift, and inside is a box of chocolates. Caroline goes to school very confused with what has happened.  When she arrived, Caroline dashes out as fast as to Belle and tell her of the strange gift she has received. Belle, who is Caroline’s best friend is very clever.

“Hey Belle, come! I will tell you something that’s very puzzling. Just before I was about to leave home, there was a gift in front of our door of the house. Guess what! The gift is for me. It’s was a box of chocolates.” Caroline said to Belle.

Belle looking at her curiously and asked, “Do you know who gave it to you?”

 No, the present doesn’t say who sent it, so I don’t have any idea about who gave it to me” Caroline answered back.

“That so weird!” Belle groaned.

Caroline and Belle thought about the strange gift. Finally, when class was over, Caroline and Belle rush out of the classroom and run to the Caroline’s home as fast as they can.

“Where is the gift?” moaned Belle in a loud voice.

“In my bedroom” Caroline responded.

Belle puts down her bag and gently picks up the gift.

“Wow, it’s so pretty,” she gushes. So, who gave the gift and why she or he gave you a gift?” she then asked Caroline.

Caroline replied, “I’m curious, too. Hold on, I’ll get my magnifying glass. Maybe we can observe something.”

A minute later, Caroline returned with a magnifying glass. The two girls sprawled on the floor and observe the gift.

Belle yelled a few minutes later “Look! There is a short black hair under the ribbon!”

“Yes, you are right!” Caroline conceded. “Why didn’t I see that before.So the person who gave me the gift has a short black hair.”Caroline sounded surprised.

Belle suggested, “I think it is from some boy at school. Do you think chocolate means love? It must be someone who loves you.”

“I agree with you” answered Caroline.

“So tomorrow, we’re going to find the boys with short black hair and ask them about the gift.” Caroline chirped.

 “I think so. We should” said Belle.

The next day, Caroline and Belle went to school.

 “Belle, watch out for boys with short black hair,” Caroline muttered.

Then in front of them appeared a boy with short black hair.

“Look at Tom. He has short black hair.” Belle yelled,” Wait, wait! Tom, did you give a box of chocolate to Caroline?”

Tom turned to look at Belle and Caroline then asked, “Why would I give Caroline chocolates?”

Caroline and Belle looked each other and laugh with embarrassment.

Caroline’s ’face turn red like an apple and answered, “Nothing, Belle is just joking with you.”

Tow said, “That’s ok” Then he walked away.

“I don’t think it’s him,” said Belle and frowned.

Suddenly an idea came to Belle, “We can ask aunt Eva who buys chocolate these days, and then we can know the person who gave you the gift.”

“You are so clever my Belle!” yelled Caroline and gave her a big hug.

Aunt Eva is manager of the market. She can remember what everyone bought, and she is very enthusiastic.

After school, Caroline and Belle went to the market. “Aunt Eva, good afternoon! How are you today?” asked the girls.

Aunt Eva reply, “Oh my little girls good afternoon! Can I help you with something? Oh, the milk over there is very fresh. The farmer just delivered.”

 “Think Aunt Eva, we’re here today to ask you a question.” Caroline interrupted.

“Yes, Caroline received a gift. It’s a box of chocolate, but we don’t know who gave it to Caroline. So, do you remember who bought chocolate these days?” Belle queried.

“Oh, chocolate, let’s me think. Anna bought chocolates for her cafe to make a new kind of coffee. Jane bought chocolates for church to congratulates the newly engaged couple. Helen bought chocolate to eat.” Eva said slowly.

“Think you aunt Eva!” both said in unison.

Caroline and Belle’s eyes smiled at each other and then run away.

On the way to Caroline’s home, Caroline discussed it with Belle.

 “Why Helen gave me the gift?” Caroline asked.

 “Who knows?” replied Belle.

“I know the short black hair is my sister!” Caroline screamed.

A few minutes later they arrived home. “Helen, Helen come here.” Caroline called.

Then Helen come with her very confused eyes, “Why did you give me a gift?” Caroline asked.

“Because I think my love for you is too little. Every time you have delicious food, you will share to me, but I never give you anything in return. You have been very gentle to me, but I always bother you. “she said, lowering her head.

Caroline hugged her. “Thank you. It’s because you’re my sister,” she said.