Mariko asks a favor for Christmas


The first time Mariko has seen the cartoon at the Yukaita community center, she loved it. Although it was subtitled from another language, she desperately tried to sing the words of one of the cartoon's songs. The words made her so happy she wanted to weep.

She dragged Mama Nana over to watch the cartoon with her.

The next day, she dragged Mama Lucy over to watch the cartoon with her. Mama Lucy huffed, but sat down by her to watch the whole thing.

Three days of humming the song and she finally asked Lady Himari to teach her to sing the song. Lady Himari suggested Mama Yuka teach her.

Mama Yuka did know the language. Thrilled to hear it, Mariko dragged Mama Yuka down to the community center to watch the cartoon with her. Kanae joined them, and (Mariko thought) she giggled at all the wrong parts. How that guy treated his puppy was NOT funny!

After it was over, Mariko sat up and asked, ?Mama Yuka, can we all learn how to sing it? I would really love to sing this song with all of us, just like in the cartoon!?

Mama Yuka smiled and said, ?We'll see, dear. Kanae hasn't learned to read or write as well as you yet.?

?I do too!? Kanae stated in little girl anger. ?If Mariko can sing it, so can I.?

?See Mama Yuka, Kanae will sing with us!? she said happily.

?We'll see what we can do, all right, Mariko, dear?? Yuka said with a smile.

>>>

Every day, Mariko spent time learning the new language with Mama Yuka. Once she had a few words down, she's spent time teaching Kanae, then Papa, Mama Lucy, and Mama Nana. All she did from that day on, was learn this new language and teach the rest of her family at least enough so they could all sing together.

As the days went on, Christmas came closer, but it seemed no one except Kanae had any time to keep learning. Mariko even went out and sang to Wanta. Wanta liked it, he'd wag his tail and make ?Arro rooo? sounds, as if trying to sing with her.

Papa found the book for the cartoon, and read it to her and Kanae at bedtime, which always left her with pleasant dreams.

Frustrated, at how none of her mothers or Papa had the time to learn the song, Mariko started to become depressed. Seeing Mama Lucy studying something in her room, Mariko went in and asked. "Mama Lucy! Are you learning so we can all sing??

Lucy closed her notebook and beamed her a smile. ?I am Mariko. Want to hear how well I'm doing??

Mariko hugged Mama Lucy. ?Yes yes!? she cried, ?Please let me hear.?

Mama Lucy sat Mariko down in front of her. She cleared her throat and sang, ?Rudolph the red nosed rein deer, had a very shiny nose....?

Mariko gapped at her and cried, ?No no! That's not it!? as she flapped her arms up and down. ?You studied the wrong one!?

Mama Lucy's face opened up with surprise. ?I did?? she asked innocently.

?That's not the right one!? Mariko complained.

Lucy put her arms around Mariko. ?OH, honey, I'm so sorry,? she said.

?Mama Lucy, we only have a two days left, and you got the wrong one,? Mariko whined.

?Dear, let my try again, OK? I'll have Mama Yuka help me with it.?

There wasn't enough time, but Mariko was happy that Mama Lucy had tried. ?Thank you for trying, Mama Lucy,? She said with a sniff. She got up and walked out.

Mariko thought that maybe if everyone else could sing it, then Mama Lucy could just hum along. That wouldn't be so bad. Seeing Papa in his study, Mariko went in. ?Hey, Papa,? she called as she ran in.

?Hi sweetie,? Kouta said with a smile as he shut a notebook.

Coming to a bouncing stop by his desk, Mariko asked, ?Papa, have you been learning how to sing??

?Yes I have Mariko,? he said proudly. ?Let's see how I do, OK??

Mariko nodded eagerly.

Kouta paused for a breath, then sang in halting words, ?Rudolph the red nosed rein deer, had a very shiny nose....?

?No!? Mariko cried. ?Not you too, Papa!?

Kouta frowned at Mariko. ?But, I though that's what you wanted to sing?? he asked.

Stomping a foot, Mariko cried, ?That's not it!?

?Oh,? he said and frowned again. ?Well, I'll learn the right song, and we'll sing it!? he said confidently.

Again, there was no time for Papa to learn either. She hugged Papa and said, ?Thank you for trying, it means a lot to me.? She walked out to see Mama Yuka coming down the hallway.

Running up to Yuka in tears, Mariko cried, ?Mama Yuka, Mama Lucy got the wrong song, and so does Papa! I know it, Kanae knows it, and so do you, but .... we need everyone to sing it!?

?Oh, I'm so sorry, dear. Maybe we can sing it next year, OK?? Yuka said soothingly.

?OK,? Mariko said in a sigh.

Walking to the kitchen she heard someone shuffling pots. Mama Nana was getting ready to fix dinner. Mariko went in and sat down. ?Mama Nana, we're not all going to get to sing this year,? she said in a pout.

Nana looked over at her and gave her a sad smile. ?Ohh Mariko! Don't be so sad. It is in another language, you know. Neither I nor Mama Lucy have ever heard it before.?

?I know,? Mariko said as she looked at the floor. ?But, it's just so ... US, that I really wanted everyone to learn it.?

?We'll sing it next year for sure,? Nana said happily.

Mariko offered her a smile back.. She was sure they would too, but she really wanted to sing it THIS year.

>>>

Christmas morning came. Mariko noted new decorations had been put up, and the tree with the presents under it had been moved to the middle of the room. The tree was pretty, and the presents all wrapped in shining paper. It was going to be a good Christmas, but what she wanted to do the most, wasn't going to happen. Mariko sat down looking up at the tree and started humming her song.

Kanae came out, tugging a sleepy Kouta by the hand. ?Come ON Papa! Over here, you gotta be over here,? she said and dragged him in place by Mariko.

Kouta smiled at Mariko and offered his hand. ?Morning Sweetie, come on, we have to stand up.?

Mariko got up. As she did, Mama Yuka came in and got on Papa's other side, holding his hand. Next was Mama Nana who came in and held Mariko's other hand. Mama Lucy and Kanae came in. To her surprise, Mayu came in to complete the circle.

"Mayu's home!" Mariko cried happily.

Mayu cast Mariko a smile, "Of course dear, I couldn't miss this," she said cheerfully.


?Everyone ready...? Papa announced, and they began singing.

?Ba-hooo doray, ba-hoo doray, welcome Christmas, bring your light,
Ba-hooo doray, ba-hoo doray, welcome from the cold dark night!
Welcome Christmas, baa-hooo ra-hooo, welcome Christmas, da-hoo ra-hooo
Christmas time is in our grasp, so long as we have hands to clasp.?

Mariko sang with tears of joy, they all were singing perfectly! She sang with her family, just as the Who's had sung.

?Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart-to-heart and hand in hand!?

Mariko had many nice Christmas' after, but the one she always remember with the most fondness, was the first time they held hands around the tree and sang that wonderful song together.



Welcome Christmas, bring your cheer
Cheer to all Who's far and near
Christmas day is in our grasp,
so long as we have hand to clasp
Welcome Christmas while we stand
Heart to heat and hand in hand