The Rancher's Orange

 This story is not original to me.  I read it some years ago and have looked unsuccessfully for the source.  I have recreated it here to the best of my ability.

The wild west was pretty wild.  It was tough times in many ways.  Life expectancy was lower and farming life was very difficult.

The year was 1880.  A rancher in Montana lost his wife to pneumonia.  The pain the family felt was immense.  The death of the mother left the rancher to care for a 12 year old daughter and a 10 year old son.  Winter came early and the small family lived a meager lifestyle.  

With Christmas coming, the rancher wanted to do something nice for his children.  He wanted to do something that would help his children feel loved.  He wanted to bring a good moment to dispel some of the pain of the prior year.

So, on Christmas Eve he rode to town and was able to procure an orange from the grocer.  They were rare and expensive, but the rancher loved his children very much.  On Christmas morning, the children woke up and went to their chores as they would any other day.  There was no tree nor stockings.  No expectations.  The children knew that times were tough.

When they came back in the house, their Dad had breakfast ready.  When they finished their eggs and bread, the rancher asked if they had seen their present.

Present?  what present?  The children hopped up from their chairs and took a look around.  

There it was, on the mantle.  A single orange.  Their mouths hung open in amazement.  Their eyes were filled with joy.  Dad, this is for us?  "Yes," the rancher replied.  "Merry Christmas!"

The rancher was so moved by his children's response that he began to cry.  He slipped into the bedroom to let the tears fall.  Then hollering came from the kitchen,  "Dad come out."

He wiped the tears from his eyes and stepped out.  There to his surprise were his children, sitting at the table with the orange.

Then the unexpected.  The orange was cut, not for two children but cut into thirds.  The rancher began to cry again.   The gift that he had given to them, had turned out to be a gift to him too.

Dark times were made bright by the sacrificial gift of an orange.  Hearts were warmed as the orange was prepared not for two, but sliced for three.  The father was never so proud of his children.  It was a Christmas to remember.  Love, generosity and hope are beautiful things.