Children

Enjoy the spirit of Christmas and festive season

************

There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.

- Erma Bombeck

************

Bang Pae waterfall

In our series famous waterfalls in the world let us focus on Bang Pae Waterfall which is the largest waterfall in Phuket. There is a pool at the base of the falls which is great for a refreshing dip on a hot day. The Bang Pae Waterfalls is especially popular with the Thais. They love to picnic around the pool, where a refreshing dip awaits eager swimmers. The water comes down like a curtain over the rocks.

Bang Pae Waterfall is located in Khao Pra Taew Wildlife Reserve, on the northeast part of Phuket Island, close to the Two Heroines Monument. As you climb up the trail, you can see the river running downstream to your left. Eventually you arrive at the waterfall, which is enclosed on both sides by sheer cliffs.

Symbols of Christmas:

Santa Claus

Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or simply 'Santa', is the figure who, in most of Western cultures, is described as bringing gifts on Christmas Eve, December 24. The legend may have part of its basis in tales concerning the historical figure of Saint Nicholas.

The modern depiction of Santa Claus as a plump, jolly man wearing a red coat and trousers with white cuffs and collar and black leather belt and boots, became popular in the United States in the 19th century due to the significant influence of caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast.

Sleigh

A sled, sledge or sleigh is a vehicle with runners for sliding instead of wheels for rolling.

It is used for transport on surfaces with low friction, usually snow or ice but any grassy surface is good when it is not too dry. In some cases round river-washed stones make a good surface for sledges.

Reindeer

Santa Claus's reindeer are a team of flying reindeer traditionally held to pull his sleigh and help him deliver Christmas gifts. The commonly cited names of the reindeer are based on those used in the 1823 poem 'A Visit from St. Nicholas', arguably the basis of reindeer's popularity as Christmas symbols, where they are called Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, and Dunder and Blixem.

Christmas tree

A Christmas tree, less commonly known as a Yule tree, is one of the most popular traditions associated with the celebration of Christmas and Yuletide. It is normally an evergreen coniferous tree that is brought into a home or used in the open, and is decorated with Christmas lights and colourful ornaments during the days around Christmas. An angel or star is often placed at the top of the tree, representing the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity story.

Christmas card

A Christmas card is a greeting card sent as part of the traditional celebration of Christmas in order to convey between people a range of sentiments related to the Christmas season.

Christmas cards are usually exchanged during the weeks preceding Christmas Day on December 25 by many people (including non-Christians) in Western society and in Asia.

The traditional greeting reads 'wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year'.

There are innumerable variations on this greeting, many cards expressing more religious sentiment, or containing a poem, prayer or Biblical verse; others stay away from religion with an all-inclusive 'Season's greetings'.

Maggie still stuck in the well  - Part 17

By Uncle Sachi and Aunt Ruwi

Ruwi and Pramodaka were not having much luck trying to figure out a way to help Maggie. The pixie strolled around the weed infested garden until an old wooden bucket with a rope attached to its handle caught her eye. She approached and examined it closely.

The bucket seemed to be in good shape though the rope came apart in her hands. If only they can find some strong rope it just might be possible to haul the old woman out by lowering the bucket into the well.

Ruwi's mind went back to the occasion when Shazie had thrown a whole coil of elves' rope into the back of Maggie's cupboard the last time they had tidied up the place. Surely the rope must still be there and elves' rope lasted for many years since the magical creatures mixed a form of dust that they gathered from the deep waters into the choir.

Pramodaka watched the pixie vanishing indoors but in a couple of minutes she reappeared with a coil of gold coloured rope, which shone like a moonbeam, under her arm.

Ruwi untangled the remaining strands of rope from the bucket and tied the new rope in its place. She dragged the bucket towards the well and called down to Maggie.

"We will lower a bucket. Get inside so we can haul you up," she said. There was a squawk of horror.

"Surely you don't think you would be able to pull me up! No, I doubt even if you summoned your whole family you all wouldn't be able to pull me out," she cried.

"It is too late to call the elves and they are too busy with the harvest festivals. Me and Pramodaka can manage," Ruwi pleaded but all she received was a snort of disgust.

Ruwi looked at Pramodaka and gave a helpless shrug. The old women just wouldn't listen. Time was running out and the others might start wondering what had happened to them if they did not return soon.

Before Ruwi could quite gather what was about to happen Pramodaka raised his voice.

"Ms. Maggie, you do not know me but I beg of you to give ear for a few seconds. We are four children lost in the woods. One of my brothers is trapped in the luring stone spell. We have left him with Uncle Sachi, my brother and sister who are both badly frightened from this episode.

"I know I can't erase the pain or mend your attitude towards humans but let me help you. You need not own me a favour," he said.

Ruwi held her breath for she did not expect the boy to take such a bold step. A momentary silence fell. Encouraged by this Pramodaka continued.

"I cannot forget that it is my sneeze which startled you and caused you to loose balance. We are in a hurry but we do not like to leave you like this. That would be such a mean and cowardly act but please Ms. Maggie... just consider what I am saying. Our parents will be very worried if we do not turn up."

Yet again there was a hesitating pause. Ruwi darted a worried glance down at Maggie. The old woman seemed by no means pleased but at least she seemed to be thinking over what the boy had said. She could hardly believe her ears when a gruff "oh, all right..." came out of her lips.