Sassafras and Valentine’s Day
By Kristy Gherlone
It was Valentine’s Day and Sassafras was sad. She wanted to get something special for her Daddy, but she didn’t have any money.
“What’s wrong, Sassafras?” her mother asked, noticing how unhappy she seemed.
“It’s Valentine’s Day, but I don’t have anything for Daddy. How will he know that I love him if I don’t buy him a present?”
“Daddy knows that you love him. You don’t have to buy gifts to show someone how much you care. There are lots of other ways to do that.”
“Like how?” Sassafras asked.
“Well, you could make him a card, if you like. I’m sure he would love that.”
“That’s a great idea!” Sassafras brightened.
She gathered some art supplies and got to work.
Carefully, she cut out colorful hearts and pasted them to the paper she had folded.
Next, she used crayons to write what she wanted to say.
“How’s it going in there?” Sassafras’s mother asked.
“Good, but I don’t want you to see until I’m all done.” Sassafras said, jumping onto the card to hide it. She wanted it to be a surprise.
“That’s fine,” her mother laughed. “You know, when I was a little girl, my favorite Valentine’s were the ones that had treats inside.”
“I have just the thing!” Sassafras said.
When she finished with the card, she called for her mother to see it.
“That is a lovely card, Sassafras. It came out very nice. What did you write?”
“I wrote, ‘For Daddy, love Sassy.’
“It’s very nice, but I thought you were going to add some treats?”
“Well, I was going to share my worms, but I accidentally ate them.”
Sassafras’s mother smiled. She knew that worms were her very favorite thing. “That’s okay. I think Daddy might like chocolates better anyway. I have some that you can give to him.”
“Oh, thank you! I think he will like those better.” She chose a few and stuck them to the card.
“Can I give it to him now? She asked excitedely.
“Of course. I think you’ll find him on the porch.”
“Wait! I have one for you, too!” Sassafras cried. She gave her mother the paper heart she’d made.
“Why, thank you, Sassy! You’re so thoughtful.”
“I know,” Sassafras giggled and went off to find her Dad.
“Daddy! I made something for you!”
Sassafras’s Dad was very happy with the card. He could tell how hard she’d worked on it.
“Thank you, Sassy! That was very sweet of you.”
“I made it because I love you.”
“And I love you!” he said, giving Sassafras a hug. “Now we have something for you! Your mother has it in the kitchen. Go and see.”
“Is it a present?” Sassafras asked.
“It might be,” her Daddy smiled.
“But Mama said you don’t need to buy presents to show someone how much you care.”
“That is true,” he said, ruffling her feathers. “But we got you one anyway.”
“Worms!” she cried happily. “I love worms and presents and Valentine’s Day. But you know what I love most of all? You!”
**A new short comedy story of mine has just been published! You can find “Piano Hoarding Christians” in Defenestration Mag!
**NO part of this story may be copied or reproduced without written consent from the author.
