A Woman With The Letter

Winter day

When I first saw that woman I was not happy to see her, not because of her face or body. Perhaps she was pretty and healthy.

I was lying on my bed in my cottage thinking about my life, living without money. I was working as a clerk but it didn’t pay me as I wished. It was mid – January and the severe winter was very cold outside. I could see white snow all over there. All the greenery seemed dead but I know after a few months, it will replenish itself.

It was very cold and full of fog and frost. I made up my mind to make tea so that I could tackle this winter for a while. I had to get out from the blanket and go to the kitchen but my body was not ready for this. To take off blankets in winter where there is snow everywhere is like taking off armour in the middle of the battlefield or it is more than that. Then I somehow managed to get up and make a cup of tea for myself. I live alone in this lonely cottage. There are few houses but they are far from mine. When I sat on the chair in front of the window I opened it and like a thief slowly, some frost entered my room. I could feel the coldness and the gentle care of nature. I just took the first sip of the tea.

An Elderly Woman with Letter

I saw an elderly woman at some distance from my window. She wore a long coat, boots and a big round hat and a pair of gloves also. I could see her walking in the snow. She was walking and walking and it didn’t take me time to notice that she was coming to my house. I got up and went to the other window. Beside the main door, I found a woman approaching the door of my cottage. Then the bell rang as I had assumed.

I opened the door and found an elderly woman in front of me. She didn’t say anything for a while then I heard her voice. 

“Mr Jeffrey, am I at the right place?” 

She asked without looking up. 

“Yes”

“I have a letter for you,” she said by lifting her head and as I said earlier she was pretty and beautiful even if she was old.

 

“From whom?”

“I don’t know. You can read it.” 

Then she turned around and left the place. She was walking on the snow and leaving her footprints, then disappeared in the cold, gentle frost. I was not happy with her sudden appearance with a letter.

I was amazed that an old woman worked as a postman who walked in the snow and delivered letters. I put the envelope on the table and went to make another tea for me as the room had become as cold as outside as the door was open for some time and frost came inside my house and compelled me to make another tea. I then sat down and opened the envelope, on it was written the sender’s name as 

‘somebody you don’t know’

The Letter

“Whom do I not know?” I thought about my whole life till date. I remember all relatives and friends in my memories, they are all alive. Then I opened the letter. It said:

 

  To, Mr Jeffrey,

  I don’t think that you remember me. Anyways, it’s not important to know who I am. I am sending you something, please find this in the envelope and I will be grateful.

 

I immediately put my hand inside the envelope and I found some cash. When I counted them. It was a thousand dollars. I stood flabbergasted after knowing that somebody whom I didn’t know had sent me a thousand dollars. I immediately examined the letter and the envelope but there was no clue who had sent this.

I was very happy and thankful to that person. I immediately put on my coat, boots and went to the post office to find this unknown mail. I was going through a forest area which was completely white. The trees were like that of salt rather than fruits and leaves and the brook that flowed from the mountains, and the forest is now frozen. Children now use it to slide over it and the animals that inhabit the forest are also celebrating winter. The grasses are not seen anywhere; all there was snow and snow.

Curious about the sender

After some time, I was in the city far from nature and their songs. But they always echoed in my ears. I immediately went to the post office. When I reached there, I found a long line of people carrying letters, parcels and consignment. I also joined them and waited until my turn arrived. It was the only post office in the city with not more than two staff. a little post office it was. After waiting for an hour I entered the office but there I also couldn’t be satisfied as they told me that they don’t have an idea about this anonymous letter. I don’t know about the letter, the woman and the sender. I left the office disappointed. It is true that I was happy for the money, but I also wanted to know about the sender. as I wanted to thank the person. When I was going towards my cottage, somebody called my name from behind. 

“Mr Jeffrey”

I turned back and saw an old man who had an average height and a beard which was of course, white. He waved his hand and I saw his golden watch. He seemed to be rich. He approached me.

Kindness Returned

“I was searching for you,” he said, “I wanted to tell you something.”

“What?” I asked

“I am Mr Oliver” he introduced himself. “I wanted to tell you about that woman”

“She is my wife, Mrs Oliver. She is the woman you helped a few years ago, don’t you remember?”

When I heard the name ‘Mrs Oliver’, my memory went back a few years. When my days were good, I was at a local inn where I worked as a manager. When that woman came there with her husband, maybe for a vacation. My memory flashed back to that day when a thief suddenly entered the inn and stole the bag of that lady, which carried precious diamonds. I caught that thief from there. I left the job and now I am jobless. 

 

“Yes I remember, thank you sir for the money” I thanked him and left for my cottage. 

I went to my home and at the door I found another letter written: 

Now I think you know me, thank you for that help. 

When I turned back I saw the footprints in the snow. The footprints of that old lady. I couldn’t see her; she might have disappeared in the frost as always. 

Then I heard a song in the woman’s voice.

 

          The little fellow,

Can be found sometimes in mellow,

      You can think where I lost,

    You can find me in the Frost.

 

A sudden wind blows, spreading frost throughout the cottage.

***

FAQ: “A Woman With The Letter”

1.Why is the story suitable for children and teens?
The story teaches empathy, gratitude, and the importance of helping others. It also encourages curiosity and reflection on past actions and their impact on others.

2. What can children learn from Mr. Jeffrey’s character?
Children can learn:

• To persevere even when life feels difficult.

• The importance of helping others without expecting a reward.

• How curiosity and gratitude can guide positive actions.

3.. How does the story use nature and the season of winter?
Winter and snow are used to set the scene and create a sense of calm, reflection, and mystery. It also shows how the environment can influence the mood of a story.

4. What is the significance of the “frost” and the footprints?
The frost symbolizes mystery, coldness, and yet beauty. The footprints in the snow show the presence of kindness and the magical connection between people.

5. Can children relate to this story?
Yes! Even though the protagonist is older, children can understand themes of helping others, receiving gratitude, and the excitement of unexpected surprises.

6. How can teachers use this story in class?

• Discuss the importance of kindness and gratitude.

• Ask students to write letters to thank someone who helped them.

• Explore storytelling techniques, like suspense and descriptive writing using seasons.

7. Is there a moral at the end of the story?
Yes, the moral is: “Kindness and good deeds are never wasted. Even small acts of help can make a lasting impact.”

***

This article is published by Bookosmia, India’s #1 publisher for and by young people. Bookosmia publishes stories, books, podcasts, events, TED-Ed talks, workshops, bedtime stories and more related to kids and young adults.

Photo Credit – Copyright Free, Royalty Free images from pexels and canva

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