The rainbow never sets

"You never know," Mutter said, "you may not get anything at all if you are too greedy."

But I thought it was worth the risk. I put Günter's slipper on the second window sill, whilst Günter put his other slipper on the window sill nearest our beds.

"Tomorrow we shall see what we'll get," I said with my usual optimism. Next morning, at first day light, we sneaked to the windows and looked behind the curtain.

"Look, Günter, I've got something in your slipper." "Why, that's also mine," he teased me, "but you can have the biscuits in my slipper this time. I've got some of my own here."

"Oh, they smell so delicious. Dear Father Christmas hasn't forgotten us. But I didn't get any more than you."

This practice went on for all four Sundays in Advent. Also, on the first of December, we received an Advent Calendar on a piece of cardboard with little doors to open each day until the 24th. The excitement grew from day to day.

One evening, Klärchen came to our dining room, where we were sitting around the table, cutting out, pasting, and occupying ourselves for Christmas. She said: "Irene asked me if you are going to buy anything for Vater or Mutter for Christmas this year, but I told her, 'where could they buy anything here?' You always make something for them, don't you?"

"Yes, Klärchen, but what can I make this year?" I asked her, "I never know what to do."

"How about a bookmark. I'll cut it out for you and you can take a needle and some wool and sew a nice border around it."

"Yes, Klärchen, make it in the shape of a pussy cat please." Klärchen sat down at the table to start work, when Mutter came in. Günter pushed his work under the table cloth, but when he saw it was Mutter, he got it out again.

"I thought it was Vater coming in." "No, he is out somewhere." "What, so late? It is already pitch dark outside." "Yes, poor Vater, he is always working." Suddenly there was a loud knock at the veranda door. It was always locked and barred in winter, and no one had ever knocked there before. It seemed strange to us. Mutter said: "Don't you boys want to open the door and see who it is?"

"No," we both said at the same time. It seemed a bit spooky to us. I jumped on Klärchen's knee, where I felt more secure.

So Mutter had to open the door, after it had knocked a second time, this time much louder and more urgent.

In came an old man. He looked enormous to us. He had a large fur cap on his head, and a long white beard, and heavy boots. On his back was an old potato bag, stuffed with things.

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