Two Lanterns

It is November in Utrecht. On the eleventh, children walk from door to door with paper lanterns. The day is called Sint-Maarten.

Kasper is seven. This is his first year.

His grandmother Elsie has a list: red paper, glue, one small light. They go to the little shop by the canal.

“Where’s the red paper?” Kasper says.

“In your hand,” Elsie says. “Come on. Cut.”

At home they cut and they glue. They make a big red lantern with a yellow moon on it.

Then Kasper takes more paper. He makes a second lantern. It is very little.

“Is that one for your friend?” Elsie says.

“No. It’s a present. It’s for you.”

Elsie looks at the little lantern. “Grandmothers don’t carry lanterns,” she says.

“Tonight they do,” Kasper says.

At six o’clock they open the door. Kasper has his big lantern. Elsie has her little one.