that western people like to decorate their houses with on Christmas?(not a Christmas tree)

Chapter 11

The Spirit of Christmas

The next day we are in our house again with the Christmas Team. We sit all together in the living room near the fire place. The sun shines so brightly in our window We can see snowflakes slowly fall from the sky outside and our mood is really Christmassy today.

“Oh I like this Christmas time so much!” says Mary. “I love to sing carols and to give presents. I feel so happy when I do it!”

“Me too,” Betsy says, “I love to do something good for others. I like to serve other dogs.”

“I agree with you,” says Mikky.

“It is such a pity that we cannot go to Bill’s and Bob’s house and sing for them.”

“Why not?” Archie asks.

“Bill and Bob are sick at home with a virus.” I explain. “Our mom and dad won’t let us go to them.”

“Oh yes, this is a pity. Three puppies in our class got sick with this virus too.” Archie says with a sad voice. “I feel so sorry for them. They just sit at home and cannot go anywhere, and we cannot visit them…”

“They will miss all the Christmas celebrations, poor puppies.” Mary is very sad.

“We need to do something for them!” Betsy says.

“Betsy I am very sorry, but there is nothing we can do! We cannot go to them! We need to listen to our mommy and daddy!” I say.

“Oh this is such a pity…” says Betsy quietly and she starts to cry.

“Don’t cry Betsy.” I say and hug my sister.

Members of the Christmas Team look so sad. Only Archie doesn’t look sad. Archie thinks and thinks and thinks. Then he smiles.

“I know what we can do for our friends who sit at home with a virus!”

“What is it, Archie? Tell us!” I say.

“We can make a video for them! We can put on our costumes and sing Christmas carols! Also, we can record our special wishes for the puppies in the video!”

“Oh, yes! And we can make beautiful Christmas cards and send them by mail!” Mary says.

“Great, our video and our cards will help them to feel the spirit of Christmas! And we will not break any rules.” I am very happy.

“Let’s do it now!” we say all together.

We put on our costumes, sing beautiful carols and make a video. Then we record special wishes to each puppy who sits at home with the virus. We feel very happy.

“Now it is time to make Christmas postcards!” says Mary. “Here are all the things that we bought in the shop for artists.” And she takes paints, brushes, paper and decorations for the cards out of her bag.

We sit at the table and each of us takes a piece of beautiful paper and a brush.

“What are you going to draw Mary?” Betsy asks.

“I will draw a Christmas tree on my card!” Mary answers.

“And I will draw Father Frost in a long red coat.” I say.

“I will draw a golden Christmas star.” says Mikky.

“And I will draw a Snow Maiden in a light blue winter dress.” says Betsy. “What are you going to draw on your card, Archie?”

“I am going to draw Father Frost’s red bag full of presents.” Archie answers.

We draw pictures and then decorate them with silver snowflakes, golden stars, pink hearts and many other decorations.

“Our Christmas cards look amazing!” Betsy says.

“Yes they are!” Mary agrees.

We put our cards in envelopes and go to the Post Office to send them to our friends. Then we send our videos to our friend’s phones. We know for sure that it will help them to feel the spirit of Christmas!

New words

fireplace – камин

pity – жалко

hug – обнять

to agree – соглашаться

Exercises

Answer the questions

1. What is the weather like today?

2. Why are Bob and Bill at home and cannot go out?

3. Why does Betsy start to cry?

4. What idea does Archie have?

5. Do the puppies like Archie’s idea?

6. What are the puppies going to do to help their friends to feel the Spirit of Christmas?

7. What will Rex draw on his Christmas card?

True or false

1. The puppies sit together in the living room near the fire place.

2. The puppies mood is really Christmassy today.

3. The puppies have a conversation about football.

4. The puppies want to make a video for Bob and Bill.

5. Mikky will draw a flower on his postcard.

6. Mary will draw a Christmas tree on her card.

Chapter 12

The Kremlin Christmas Tree Party

Mommy comes to my room in the morning with a smile on her face.

“Good morning, Rex!” she says and kisses me.

“Good morning, Mommy!” I say and kiss my mom.

“Look, son what I have here!” She shows me a big white envelope.

“What is inside the envelope?” I ask my mom with an excitement.

“There is an invitation to the Kremlin Christmas Tree party for five dogs.”

“Wow, this is amazing! How did you get it?” I ask my mom.

“Mrs. Brown – Doctor’s Brown wife sent it to me. Here is her letter, listen:

Dear Mrs. Matilda!

My husband Doctor Brown and I want to thank your son and your daughter for such a great pleasure that they recently gave us. Your son Rex was the best Father Frost in the world and your daughter Betsy was the best Snow Maiden. My little baby Liza loved their carols. When they sang, they sang with all their