The Gift of Nothing

My sister wins again this year for the most personal, appropriate and perfect Christmas gift.

The Gift of Nothing
By Patrick McDonnell

It was a special day
and Mooch wanted to give his best friend, Earl, a gift.
But what to get him?
He had a bowl.
He had a bed.
He had a chewy toy.
He had it ALL.

Mooch thought and thought.
What do you get someone who has everything?
...
Nothing!!
He would give Earl the gift of nothing

But in this world filled with so many somethings,
where could he find nothing?

Mooch often heard Frank say there was "nothing on TV."
But as far as Mooch could tell,
there was always something on TV.

Mooch often heard Doozy and her friends say there was "nothing to do."
But as far as Mooch could tell,
everybody was always doing something.

Millie came home from the store and said,
"There was nothing to buy!"
So Mooch went shopping.

Mooch looked up and down every aisle.
He found many, many, many somethings.
The latest this, the newest that.
But as far as he could tell,
nothing was not for sale.

So Mooch went home
and sat on his pillow
and just stayed still (as cats often do).

And not looking for it, he found,
nothing.

So he went and got a box
and put nothing in it.

Earl opened Mooch's gift.
..?..

"There's nothing here," said Earl.
"Yes!" said Mooch. "Nothing...

but me and you."

So Mooch and Earl just stayed still
and enjoyed nothing
and everything.