The first time I remember Christmas, Muttachi had some red berries pinned on her green dress. She said it was Holy Evening and we had to go to the Wienachtsfest at the school. The school had lots of red and green streamers hanging high up and a star and some camels were colored on the blackboard. I fidgeted on Muttachi's lap beside a woman who fuscheled, "Again we can't have a Christmas tree because some people won't let their children come then." Everybody got still, except some babies, when a man in front opened a black Bible and read in German about Joseph and Mary in a stall with Baby Jesus. Then everybody stood up and prayed. Next the school children walked on to the platform and sang Ihr Kinderlein Kommet and Stille Nacht. Then two big boys argued themselves about a peanut lying on the floor and when they started fighting the people all laughed. Four big girls sang a song with candles in their hands and some little kids held up big letters and said a verse in English. When I was almost going to sleep already, two men carried in some big boxes. Muttachi pushed me off her lap and I went to the front with the other little children. It was real scary, but I didn't cry, and I got a bag full with peanuts, red and green gooseberry candies, and a Christmas orange. Then the people sang O Du Frohliche and the school children got presents from the teacher.

When we got home Muttachi said, "Now, Yasch, you must set up your plate for the Natklos." I laughed because Natklos sounded like nuts to me. From the cupboard Muttachi reached me this big white plate and I set it up on the table in front of my brown high chair. Muttachi and Futtachi set up plates, too, and carried me to bed.

It was still dark when I crept downstairs, but I could see a little bit from the fire through the stove window. On my plate was a soft green and white ball made from knitting and a jar all covered with blue and yellow cloth. When I screwed open the jar a thick green worm with an orange head jumped out. Somebody laughed and I thought it was the Natklos, but it was just Muttachi in her nightdress and Futtachi in his long red underwear.

"How come I didn't see that Natklos?" I asked after church was over and we were driving to Groutmuttachi's place for dinner. Muttachi just laughed and said, "Forget about the Natklos now till next Christmas." But I remembered, every night.