Exploring Literacy from the Author’s Side

My Entry for This 250-Word Holiday Writing Contest

This is prompted me to form an outline for a picture book on a Polish Christmas tradition, I learned from my husband’s family, which I have chosen to carry on each year. I would love to flesh it out more and add back matter on the this and other traditions.

OPLATKI

By Sherry Dubis

249 Words

Karol tugged on the church door.  “I’m here for the Christmas wafers. Any left?” 

“You’re in luck!”  the organist smiled.  

Karol admitted, “I sorta snooped in the envelope with mysterious writing and broke the wafers!  Babci said I had to replace them before the first star appears tonight!”

“This mystery writing’s Polish. Sorry. These didn’t get blessed.”

“Blessed!? Babci didn’t mention that! Now what?”

“The priest prays like he does for the food baskets, but he’s taking a break before tonight’s services. Simply, explain what happened. Your mother will understand.” 

Karol protected the envelope inside a holiday tin. He hung his head. “Thanks for your help. Merry Christmas.” 

“Merry Christmas.”

As Karol passed the park, a laughing sledful of priest flew out of the sunset and landed at Karol’s feet.

“Father!” he pleaded. “Bless this for Mama?”

“Easily done!” The priest gave the blessing right there on the sidewalk! Karol sprinted home. Everyone gathered around the table laid with food, a white cloth, fancy dishes, and hay. Karol held up the envelope. 

“I’m sorry I broke your no peeking rule, and the special bread. I got more and the priest blessed it. Merry Christmas.”  Babci slid out a white wafer and offered it to Mama who broke it, as Babci accepted a piece of Mama’s bread. All exchanged pieces of wafer, hugs, and well wishes. 

Karol cried, “All that just to break them?”

“Child, on Christmas Eve all that is broken is mended. Oplatki means ‘bread of love.’”