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	When the Christmas tree is just raised inside the appropriate room, then the countdown is starting. How many ... ? I was staring at the lights that were rimming the green twigs, shining in the half-light, as if they were meant to ward off the stormy wind  that was raging all around. I heard a fond voice that told me : "Have a go at counting all the balls of the Christmas tree, and you will know how many jet pearls you'll find in the Christmas present." So I began to count. Red balls, yellow balls, purple balls, blue balls, white balls, .... But no black ball. Jet balls weren't in the Christmas tree. I counted, counted, counted, wondering all the time why I was counting. Then an odd thought entered my mind : could the little dear count more than ten ? The little one seemed to have heard my thought ! And the tiny lights of the Christmas tree lit up her smiling face. What else was to be done but still counting, counting again and again ? How many .... Days are meant to pass away, day by day time is flying away, and I knew that the countdown would lead me to the answer .... Did the Christmas tree know the answer ? Did the little one really know it too ? How many black pearls would I have to lavish care on ? Where did the little dear find the jet pearls as a Christmas gift ? Nonetheless, what a fine idea ! I just have to wait, counting day by day. Counting the days one by one. Counting the balls in the Christmas tree. Counting, counting, counting down. Counting, counting, counting ... ... till this moment when my own eyes can count the jet pearls one by one. 29/11/09 Isabelle Coquinot