Author / Illustrator: Shin-Dii

Another year has passed, and Christmas is just around the corner, which is Ann's most anticipated holiday! This time last year, Ann made a wish to Santa Claus, and it feels like it was just yesterday.

On the morning of December 24th, Mum asked Little Ann if she wanted to participate in the same Christmas Eve wishing event as last year. "You can see your favorite Santa Claus again!" Mum said with even more excitement than Ann.

"This year, I don't want to see Santa Claus," Ann said, looking down at her hot cocoa.

"Oh? Weren't you looking forward to it last year? You were so happy after it ended!" Mum asked in surprise.

Ann gazed at the wall of her room, filled with her drawings, and began tearing them off one by one.

"Knock, knock!" Mum came in with a generous breakfast. "Even though it's a bit early, Merry Christmas! This is the Christmas gift I want to give you this year," Mum handed Ann a thick photo album.

In the photo album, there were records of Ann's growth over the past year. "In the photos from this year, there are so many pictures of you painting! When I was organizing the photos, I realized that you have been drawing every day, and I really admire that," Mum said with a smile as she flipped through the album.

"But I still feel like my drawings aren't good. Santa Claus must be very disappointed in me. He said he would put magic in my pens last year, but it probably doesn't work on me," Ann said.

"Well, I'm not sure if magic really works. How about we put those drawings back on the wall? I really like them!" Mum smiled as she picked up a stack of torn-off pictures from the corner.

"Ann has been drawing every day for the whole year, which is why the wall is so colourful. Remember the story of 'The Tortoise and the Hare'?" Mum continued, "Sometimes, perseverance is even more remarkable than talent! Just like a tortoise steadily advancing towards the finish line."

"But the tortoise is always moving forward!" Ann interjected excitedly. "Do you think I haven't made progress? I still find yesterday's drawing quite ugly. I initially wanted to give it to Santa Claus," Ann said softly.

"Think of 'The Tortoise and the Hare' as drawing." Mum said.

"If the hare is naturally talented at drawing but gives up every time after a few strokes to play or do something else, then after a year, the hare hasn't drawn a single picture."

"But the tortoise, without the hare's talent, doesn't draw quickly and learns slowly, but the tortoise draws a picture every day without interruption. So, after a year, the tortoise has drawn a total of 365 pictures."

"Do you see the difference between your first picture and your last one?" Mum asked.

"Really? So, have I improved from being 100% ugly to just 50% ugly?" Ann asked as if she had unravelled a great mystery, finally revealing a smile. Mum couldn't help but burst into laughter.

That night, Ann decided to attend the Christmas Eve event. She had a little gift she wanted to give to Santa Claus and tell him that the magic of this past year was truly amazing!

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