This story, "The Mitten Tree," is just perfect for this time of year. As it grows colder and more snow falls, the need for mittens is necessary. Sarah, who is an older woman whose children have grown, enjoys looking out her window at the children waiting for the schoolbus. In the midst of the children playing in the snow, Sarah notices one little boy who isn't playing with them. He doesn't have any mittens to keep his hands warm. Once discovering that, Sarah thought it would be a nice idea to knit him a pair of mittens. She has some leftover blue yarn to match his coat. Early the next morning, Sarah leaves the mittens for him on the old blue spruce tree. The boy was excited when he found them and puts them on right away. Sarah is pleased. The little boy is happy. Still wanting to help out, Sarah notices someone else who doesn't have any mittens. She sets to work knitting more and leaves them on the tree each day for the children to find. Sarah finally gets to the bottom of her yarn basket and makes one last delivery of hand-knitted mittens. She now has and empty basket, but a full heart. She makes her way home and finds a new basket with more yarn in it sitting by her front door. Sarah is surprised and delighted. Who could it be? She wonders. "The Mitten Tree," is a story that teaches us to be kind and helpful to others.
