It started one year, with one child.
‘What do those children get?’ she asked, and her mother told her, ‘Not much.’
The child had some shoes she’d outgrown. She placed them at the gate of the orphanage on Christmas Eve.
The next year more shoes were left. Another year on and bags of clothing appeared. Then secondhand toys.
It became an annual event, every Christmas Eve. The more the media reported it, the more the donations grew.
The children inside the orphanage looked forward to Christmas morning.
Until one child asked, ‘Why do they forget about us on every other day of the year?’

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).
To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Great New Year to all, especially those who have read, liked and commented on my blog throughout the year, and have provided me with endless stories to enjoy in return. And a special mention to all those who have taken the time to buy and read my novel – thank you so much, it means so much to me. Here’s to the next year of blogging fun! Iain.
My new novel, ‘A Justified State,’ is now available in Paperback and on Amazon Kindle.
‘a first class read from start to finish’ – reader review
Amazon.com / Amazon.co.uk / Book Depository
96 responses to “THAT ONE SPECIAL DAY”
Wow! First, I was like aww…! Then the last line threw me away completely!
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Thank you, exactly as I wanted it to work.
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Iain, this is so touching and thoughtful..
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Thank you 🙂
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Great question, Ian. Thought-provoking
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Thank you Neil, it always does strike me that welcome as one-off charity events and donations are, wouldn’t it be better if we just spread everything about more evenly, all of the time?
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‘God bless us every one!’
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Except I haven’t found the happy ending in my tale yet 😉
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Dear Iain,
I’ve often asked that question myself. People go out of their way to give the homeless a Christmas dinner and presents. What about the other 364 days? Well done and evocative.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle. We have that a lot here too, free meals for the homeless on Christmas Day, free hotel rooms for them on Christmas night – but what about the next day and night?
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A wise and perceptive question, indeed. Well done, Iain.
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Thank you Linda
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Lovely thought and nicely written. I really like the fact that there is no death, no murder and no ghost. “Orphanage” sounds rather old fashioned maybe but so damn true with poverty stricken people in our European countries though.
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Thank you Frankie
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It’s so touching, Iain. And yes, I am sure that’s what kids at orphanage must be thinking. What about the other days – why does the spirit of giving is limited only to the festivals?
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Thank you Anshu, imagine we just gave our time, gifts, money without needing a reason or prompting? We should all ask what we can do to help those less fortunate.
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Out of the mouths of babes… Why indeed?
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Thanks Sandra
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Good question! Why do people care about the poor, the downtrodden, etc. only one day a year?
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Exactly Trent, nothing wrong with the sentiment, but if we really cared, surely we could do more?
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From the little girl’s compassionate heart and a simple act of kindness, something beautiful was born. And then the last line … very true and very sad. A lovely thought-provoking piece.
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Thank you Brenda, it is something to reflect on. Perhaps those of us that can, could do a little more all year round.
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What a sad ending to a lovely story, and what a shame one remark could spoil the magic of it.
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Spoils the magic, but perhaps makes a telling observation about how we treat those less fortunate.
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I agree with others to an extent but surely it is not true that such issues are only addressed once a year. There are plenty of big events dedicated to children’s charities in the UK as the year goes around and sometimes, when someone is sadly gone, e.g. George Michael, we discover years of discreet generosity. But I think the idea of the shoes etc. being left every year is lovely and you wrote it beautifully with a beginning that made me think of Christmas straight away.
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Thanks Jilly. There is nothing wrong with giving at Christmas, or for those charity fundraisers, but they always do make me wonder why we (myself included) need an event, or a reminder, in order to give to those less fortunate. Surely if we can afford to do that, we could just do it without needing the prompting, and then we all might be better off all the time.
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I know what you mean. And it’s frustrating to see so much money wasted by people who could change lives at the stroke of a pen if they wanted to.
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Yes, there are plenty out there. I do wonder sometimes at the amount spent on paintings at auctions, fast cars etc.. and think, couldn’t that money be spent better elsewhere.
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That is a good point.
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Thanks Reena, it is, isn’t it?
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Out of the mouths of babes as they say. Heartbreaking when you think about it.
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Thanks Di, it is that talent children have of asking an innocent question that exposes an obvious truth no adult thinks about.
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🙂
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Let us just say people feel more generous during the Christmas season…
Happy Christmas to you and yours!
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Indeed, and nothing wrong with that, it’s just nice to think they could spread that generosity over the whole year. Thanks for your wonderful review of my book Dale, so nice to read 🙂
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Hmm… just saw my comment vanished!
Yes, it does feel more intense during Christmas…
And it was my pleasure as I really and truly enjoyed it!
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Ah, yes. Maybe that’s why I get so many requests in the mail all year long. Nicely done, Iain. I am enjoying A Justified State. Almost half way finished. I’ll do a review on my blog when I’m finished 🙂
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Thank you Janet – let me know when you do a review or send me a link – looking forward to reading what you think, and glad you are enjoying it so far 🙂
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Tsk. Ungrateful party pooper. Takes all the fun out of it.
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Perhaps they don’t have much to be grateful for.
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True.
And my pleasure. I truly did enjoy it!
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the child has a point. on the other hand, if every day is christmas, there’ll be nothing to look forward to anymore. 🙂
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I suppose, although try telling an orphan that…
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Sigh! What does one answer to that?
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I’m not sure there is an answer
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You made me ponder, Iain. Very valid point.
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Thank you Priya
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Tricky question, no one has any answer to. Nice story with a poignant question.
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Thank you Abhijit
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It got sweeter and sweeter until that crushing last line, which really makes you think. Nice one!
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Thank you
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Well done, Iain.
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Thank you Jennie 🙂
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You’re welcome, Iain.
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Very nice write Iain. In today’s self centered world, I think we might be lucky they remember at all..
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Very true Violet
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Hypocrisy is so easily spotted by children.
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Much more than adults!
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Thank you, Iain. That is exactly my sentiment, esp during the month of December. Food, clothing, shelter, care: they are needed all year round. Just this one “special” time…arggghhh. You got me with the last line, if you couldn’t tell.
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Thank you Stu, glad to know it resonated with you.
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Such a wonderful story and message, Iain.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to you and your family too.
Congratulations on the new book. 🙂 very happy for you.
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Thank you – do check it out if you get the chance 🙂
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Indeed… I think sometimes gifts are more for the comfort of the giver.
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I agree completely
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Gosh this is heartbreaking. One off events but when the day is over what then? Well told story
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Thanks Laurie
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I also wonder at the same thing! So very neatly done Iain.
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Thank you 🙂
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A great story with a great sentiment.
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Thanks Russell
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so beautifully concluded, great
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Thank you
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Beautiful story with a very sobering ending. Yes why are they forgotten for the rest of the year?
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Thank you Irene
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Touching and hard-hitting, Lain!
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Thank you
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Better once a year than never at all, I suppose. A piece to ponder Iain.
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Yep, better more than once a year though for those in need.
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Perhaps people are so busy it is not until Christmas that their guilt comes to the surface or else they are just having a clear out before they get new replacements.
A story that questions people’s motives.
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Thank you James
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The last line was piece de resistance. It brought us all back to terr firma and harsh reality. Very well written, Kelly.
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Thank you Neel
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I’m sure the folks in nursing homes wonder the same thing. Well writing and thought provoking piece, Iain.
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Thank you Russell.
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So poignant. Poor kids!
Merry Christmas, Iain.
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Thank you. Merry Christmas 🙂
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Gorgeously touching & thought-provoking.
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Thank you 🙂
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What an excellent question at the end. Charity should definitely be spread out throughout the year.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful festive season!
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Thank you so much Gabi, and the same to you and yours 🙂
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Somehow this reminds of those charitable videos I see of people surprising others with gifts. The recipient looks sometimes embarrassed, and it feels a bit like self-glorification on the giver’s part. On the whole though, if it encourages other’s to do the same (in a less public manner) then it’s all good.
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I like to look the situations as cup half full – at least they are reminded to do something for the needy one day a year.
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Interesting tale Iain, the last line made me sad, another triumph! Well done.
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A sucker punch thrown by the last line. Nice one.
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The last question throws reality on our face! It is so true – demonstrates that still there are so many unprivileged children, so much poverty.
We can answer this question only when we would have solved the problems of world hunger and poverty and when all have equal opportunity – childless couples adopt such children and orphans get a family and home…
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