Image by Deborah Hudson from Pixabay

“Mom, what’s Christmas?” Sofia looked at her ten year old son as he came in from school. She put the last of the dishes away.

“What’s Christmas?” She frowned. “I don’t know, Nicholas. Why do you ask?”

“The teacher was talking about holidays we used to celebrate before we came here and she mentioned Christmas. I was wondering if you knew what it was,” Nicholas said.

“Nick, I was born here. How would I know what we celebrated before we came to this planet?” Sofia asked with some amusement.

“You were born here?” Nicholas looked stunned. “I thought all adults were born on that other planet. That’s what the teacher said.”

“No, Nicholas. Your father and I were born here. I’m not sure where your teacher gets the idea we were born on the other planet. Your grandparents might have been born there, but we weren’t,” Sofia said.

“Okay.” Nicholas went into his room to play.

Sofia went to the comm unit and called the school. The secretary answered. “Yes? How can I help you?” she asked.

“I’d like to speak to the principal please. My son’s teacher is feeding him lies and I’d like to put a stop to that,” Sofia said.

“My goodness, of course,” the secretary said. “One moment.” The screen went blank and a few seconds later, a harried looking middle aged woman appeared on the screen.

“Sofia, what did she do now?” the principal asked with a sigh.

“Hello Maude,” Sofia said. “The woman is telling Nicholas that all adults were born on the planet we came from, which is patently not true. Stephen and I were born here, not there.”

The principal sighed. “I’ll have a word with her. I swear, that woman delights in causing me problems.”

“She’s also teaching the children about holidays and things from the old world. Is that even in the curiculum?” Sofia asked.

Maude frowned. “No it’s not. I’ll have a word with her about teaching unauthorized lessons again as well. She really can’t be doing that. It confuses the children.”

“Thanks Maude.” Sofia ended the call.

“Trouble?” Stephen asked from the doorway.

“Nicholas’ teacher is being stupid again,” Sofia said. She stood up. “She’s spreading lies and teaching him about holidays that existed on the old world that don’t exist here.”

Stephen rolled his eyes. “Doesn’t that woman ever learn?”

“Speaking of holidays, isn’t it almost time for Harvestfest?” Sofia asked, glancing out the window.

“It is,” Stephen said. “I’m looking forward to the food.”

“I’m looking forward to the hot spiced cider.” Sofia grinned. “You know I can drink a gallon of the stuff on my own.”

“You and Nicholas both.” Stephen laughed. “I swear, you’re two of a kind.” The two continued talking about the upcoming festivities as Sofia fixed dinner.