Christmas Gift by Robert Penn Warren

This is a wonderful story about what we give to others. Throughout the story different characters give a boy something. He is poor and in need of help. The story is set in a rural town of yesteryear buggies, mackinaws and talking with thick poor people accents: "Hit ain't worth nuthin'. Cain't even grow sassafras on hit." The story leaves one with a sense of sadness, but only for the little boy on his way to find a doctor for his sister: "She's my sister (he tells the doctor) on my maw's side. That's what she says and that's what my maw says." But there is also a sense of community as certain individuals leave the boy with gifts...