A Giant Christmas Tree

In Trafalgar Square, in front of the National Gallery,^* stands an enormous Christmas Tree. It is a gift from the people of Oslo. Every winter they cut down a tree for London. Then horses pull it through the snowy forest to the docks. When the tree arrives, police on motor cycles escort it to Trafalgar Square.

^* (National Gallery - a famous picture gallery, in Trafalgar Square in London, comprising one of the most extensive collections of paintings in the world (founded in 1824).)

It is over fifty feet high. There it stands, as straight as the pillars behind it, and it looks taller than the dome of the National Gallery.^*

^* (National Gallery - a famous picture gallery, in Trafalgar Square in London, comprising one of the most extensive collections of paintings in the world (founded in 1824).)

It is brightly decorated. Right at the top is a large shining star. The branches are draped with tinsel and hung with big, brilliant stars that sparkle in the light.

Bright, shining balls of different colours and different sizes cover the tree from top to bottom. Imitation snow lies soft and silvery white on the dark green branches.

No wonder whole families - boys and girls, and grown- ups too - stand and stare. Here is a Christmas tree bigger than any they have ever seen in their lives.

Under a darkening sky in the heart of London this sparkling tree seems to catch the spirit of Christmas.

(A Bridge to English by A. F. Scott and Kathleen Box)