Journey Story - Yalitza - What a Christmas

What a Christmas

Christmas was only three weeks away, and Juan Carlos and Juan Cristobal were busy. One warm day, Juan Cristobal went out to gather firewood, and while he was at it, he was at it; he cut down a small Christmas tree for the living room. Juan Carlos swept off the porch, and then he wrapped red ribbons around the porch posts. Juan Cristobal cleaned out the gutters, and while he was at it, he hung up some Christmas lights. But when he stepped back to admire the result, he shook his head.

“That fence really needs painting,” he thought. He went to the shed for some paint.

“This should do the trick,” he said, pulling a bucket of white paint off a shelf. “White is the only color for a picket fence.”

Juan Carlos, busy putting candles in the windows, looked out and saw Juan Cristobal painting the fence.

“Do you need some help?” he called.

“Sure,” said Juan Cristobal.

“There’s more paint in the shed.” Juan Carlos went out to the shed and found a bucket of red paint. “This must be it,” he said. Prying off the lid, he stirred the thick paint. “This red is the perfect thing to brighten up that old fence.” He carried it around to the front of the house and began painting the inside of the fence bright red.

Meanwhile, Juan Cristobal painted the outside white. They worked along together, neither one noticing that they were using different colors. “This fence is going to look so much better,” said Juan Cristobal, picturing the fence all clean and white.

“No doubt about it” said Juan Carlos, imagining the whole fence bright red and beautiful. So they worked all morning, and it was not until they finished the whole fence that they noticed the mistake.

“You painted your side white,” said Juan Carlos.

They look at each other Juan Cristobal signed.

“Well, I guess we’ll have to repaint your side white,” he said.

“Or maybe we could paint your side red,” said Juan Carlos.”

No, I think it should be white,” said Juan Cristobal.

“I think it should be red,” Juan Carlos said firmly.

“But white is the proper color for a picket fence,” said Juan Cristobal.

“Well, I like red!” shouted Juan Carlos.

“It has to be white!”

“Red!”

“White!”

“Red!”

The two glared at each other over the fence. Neither one spoke to the other all afternoon. Just before dinnertime, Juan Carlos had and idea. He took the bucket of white paint and began painting the red side of the fence. Juan Cristobal watched him for a moment, then took the bucket of red paint and worked on the white side of the fence. When they were done, the entire fence was covered with red and white vertical stripes.

“Like peppermint sticks!” said Juan Cristobal, and stepping back to look at the fence.

“Do you like it?” asked Juan Carlos.

“It’s perfect!” said Gordon.

“Just right for Christmas! Red and white are the only colors for a picket fence!”