经典英语资料The Real Father Christmas P14-15.doc

Unit 2 Lets celebrateThe Real Father Christmas (P14-15) Unit 2 Understanding ideas P14-15.mp3Many people still remember the magic of Father Christmas from when they were children. As parents, they try to keep that magic alive for their children for as long as they can.That is why Letters from Father Christmas could be the perfect book for those who regard Christmas as a special time of year. The man who wrote these letters is one of the most famous names in English literature - J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings. The letters were Tolkien s way of keeping Father Christmas alive for his four children, over a period of more than twenty years.Every Christmas, an envelope with a North Pole stamp arrived. It was addressed to Tolkien s children. Who could it be from? The children must have been very excited as they opened it. Inside, they would find a handwritten letter from Father Christmas. The letters were also beautifully illustrated - each must have taken its true author, Tolkien, a long time to complete.The letters told wonderful stories about Father Christmas s life and adventures at the North Pole. A regular character in the letters was Polar Bear, who once climbed the North Pole (an actual pole in this case) and fell through the roof of Father Christmass house. In another letter, Father Christmas complained about how he could not stop his helpers playing games with the toys instead of wrapping them up. Interestingly, the letters did not contain the usual warnings to children that they might not receive their presents if they were not good. The letters did, however, change as Tolkien s children got older:. but if you find that not many of the things you asked for have come, and not perhaps quite as many as sometimes, remember that this Christmas all over the world there are a terrible number of poor and starving people.Letters from Father Christmas tells us that as well as enjoying the adventures of Father Christmas, Polar Bear and other characters at the North Pole, we can all share the true spirit of giving at Christmas time. By expressing love for his children in such a special way, Tolkien may indeed have been the real Father Christmas.