Christmas Reading: December 18th

'The Christmas Party and Mr D. Smith' from The Wombles by Elisabeth Beresford

Novel Excerpt (1968)

The Wombles prepare for their Christmas party, and when Great Uncle Bulgaria meets a lonely old man, he can't help inviting him along.

The first and, in my opinion, best Wombles book contains this sweet and heart-warming little tale.  Their Christmas celebrations are charming, very like our own in some ways, and yet uniquely Womble.  Mr Smith's story is understated and sad.  It is the only time you will see a Womble invite a human being to the burrow, because Christmas is really a very special time indeed.

'Of course, some Wombles say among themselves that before the great gift hunt starts Tobermory and Great Uncle Bulgaria have been seen to slip out with loaded baskets in their paws on the evening beforehand.  But naturally this rumour is kept from the youngest Wombles and the fact remains that they always do find something.'
Elisabeth Beresford, The Wombles (Bloomsbury, 2010), p.106.