First year teacher, 8th grade English

I am in the process of writing a Christmas story for my 8th grade English students. I will post it below. It is intentionally more “kid-ish” and has a wholesome ending. My thought process is to help bring my students down from the stress and anxiety of the holiday season. I do not care if this is corny. I just hope I can help some kids feel a little bit better. If you have suggestions, please let me know! "Mai's Christmas Miracle" --- It was two days before Christmas 1944. Mai was a ten-year-old Dutch girl who lived in the city of Zwolle. Mai lived with her mother and father on the top floor of a three story building. The first floor of the building was used as an office by a tailor. The tailors’ wife sold coffee and buns on the front half of the floor, and her husband sewed on the back half of the floor. On the second floor of the building lived an elderly lady and her husband. She was older, but she still loved to play her violin, and her husband would accompany her on his accordion. Mai lived upstairs from the old couple. She was a sweet and smart little girl. She loved to play with dolls and help her mother in the kitchen. In May of 1940, Mai’s life changed. The Germans had invaded. Her father fought against the Nazis while her mother helped hide Jewish children. Mai’s father was captured by the Germans and shot. Mai watched as her father was dragged from their home and shot in the street. After the invasion, it got progressively more and more difficult for Mai and her mother. In September of 1944, the Dutch railroad workers went on strike in an effort to help the Allies liberate the country. The Nazis responded by starving the population. 1944 became known as the Hunger Winter. Mai’s mother had given away all that they had to help feed other people who were suffering. Mai was always cold and hungry. There was no food left in the house. Mai had not eaten in three days. Her mother had barely eaten in two weeks. Mai’s mother laid in the bed, too weak to get up. Mai thought that her mother was going to die. On Christmas eve, Mai walked through the streets of Zwolle looking for food. She walked past the churches. The bells were not ringing. She walked past the park. There were no children on the swings. Mai walked past the market. There was no food. She walked back home and checked on her mother. Mai’s mother was still alive, but just barely. Mai knew that they were going to starve to death. Mai got dressed and walked outside the building where she lived. She had no idea where she was going or what she was going to do. Mai wanted to help her mother. Mai was just a little girl, but she was desperate. She walked down the sidewalk to the street corner, hoping to find something to eat. As she turned the corner, Mai heard music. She walked towards the sound of the music. As she turned another corner, she saw three older children. There was two boys and a girl. One of the boys had a guitar. One of the boys had a harmonica. The girl had a basket full of bread. Mai had not eaten in three days. She was happy to see food, but she was also afraid. Mai had seen people steal food from other people. People were desperate. Mai continued down the sidewalk. As she got closer to the music, the girl saw her. The girl had short blonde hair that was pulled back into a pony tail. She had blue eyes and a red nose. She smiled at Mai and asked if she was hungry. Mai continued to walk down the sidewalk. She was afraid of being hurt. The girl with the bread walked towards Mai. Mai stopped and looked up at the girl. The girl with the bread was probably four or five years older than Mai. The girl looked like an adult to Mai. “Do you need something to eat?” the girl with the bread asked. “I can share this loaf with you.” Mai nodded as the girl tore a piece of bread from the loaf and handed it to Mai. Mai took a bite of the bread. It was warm and delicious. It was the best thing that Mai had ever tasted. “You are a very kind girl,” Mai said. “My name is Mai. What is your name?” “My name is Klazina,” the girl with the bread said. “These are the brothers, Henk and Sytse. What are you doing out here all alone?” “I am trying to find food for my mother,” Mai said. “My father was shot by the Germans. My mother is sick and may die. That is why I am out here alone. But I am glad that I met you. You are very kind.” “We could bring this bread and some milk to your mother,” Klazina said. “We can also bring some coal so that your mother can stay warm. Would that help?” “Yes,” Mai said. “Thank you so much. You are so very kind.” Klazina handed the loaf of bread to Henk. He put it in his coat and they all followed Mai to her home. Mai took Klazina, Henk, and Sytse upstairs and introduced them to her mother. Klazina’s eyes grew wide. “Oh my goodness,” Klazina said. “Your mother is in bad shape. I am going to run down to the pharmacy and see if I can find some medicine to help her. Stay with her, and I will be right back.” Klazina ran down the stairs and out into the cold. She was gone for twenty minutes. Mai’s mother had fallen asleep. Klazina returned with four Thermos bottles full of hot tea. “My friend works at the pharmacy,” Klazina said. “She gave me this tea to help warm up your mother. Drink it slow and make her drink it slow. It is very hot.” Klazina, Henk, Sytse, and Mai all drank the hot tea and ate the bread. Klazina told Mai to hide under the bed. Mai hid under the bed. Klazina went downstairs and asked the tailor to give her some coal. The tailor gave Klazina a large bucket of coal. Klazina carried the bucket of coal upstairs. Klazina had Henk and Sytse help her carry the coal downstairs and put it in the furnace. As the coal caught fire, the furnace began to warm up the entire building. Mai and her mother were finally warm. They drank the hot tea and ate the bread. Mai’s mother was so grateful. Klazina stayed with Mai and her mother all night. Henk and Sytse stayed downstairs and helped the tailor sew. Klazina stayed upstairs with Mai and her mother. Klazina helped Mai’s mother drink the tea and eat the bread. Mai’s mother was able to get out of bed. Mai’s mother thanked Klazina for helping her. Klazina promised to visit Mai and her mother again tomorrow. The next day was Christmas. Mai woke up and looked out the window. There was snow on the ground. Mai was so excited. She had almost forgotten that it was Christmas. Mai went downstairs to the tailor’s shop. The tailor and the tailor’s wife were decorating a Christmas tree. The tailor’s wife had made a paper star for the top of the tree. The tailor was putting glass balls on the tree. The tailor’s wife was putting popcorn on the tree. “Merry Christmas,” the tailor said. “We decorated a tree for everyone in the building. We even invited the Nazis from across the street.” “I do not want the Nazis to come into my home,” Mai said. “They shot my father. I hate the Nazis.” “Do not hate the Nazis,” the tailor said. “You must forgive them for they know not what they do. We invited the Nazis because we want to show them the love of Jesus Christ. He is the reason for the season. If we do not include the Nazis, then we are not showing them the love of Christ. We must always show love, even when we are treated unfairly.” Mai went back upstairs to her apartment. She told Klazina about the Christmas tree. Klazina promised to come back later and help decorate the tree. Klazina also promised to bring more food and coal. Mai was so happy to see Klazina. Later that day, Klazina returned with more food and coal. Klazina and Mai went downstairs to the tailor’s shop. The tailor’s wife had already started decorating the tree. Klazina was amazed. The tree was beautiful. Klazina had never seen a tree decorated like that before. “It is so beautiful,” Klazina said. “I have never seen a tree decorated like this.” “It is a German tradition,” the tailor said. “We always decorate a tree on Christmas, but this is the most beautiful tree that we have ever decorated. Thank you Klazina for your help.” Mai and Klazina helped finish decorating the tree. As they finished, there was a knock at the door. It

First year teacher, 8th grade English

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