Why the Chimes Rang by Raymond Macdonald Alden

There was once, in a far-away country where few people have ever traveled, a wonderful church. It stood on a high hill in the center of a great city, and every Sunday, as well as on sacred days like Christmas, thousands of people climbed the hill to its great archways, looking like lines of ants all moving in the same direction.

The story continues that the strangest, most wonderful thing about the church was the chime of the bells. But the tower was so high that no one could see it since it rose too high in the sky. They were certain that at the top of the tower were hung Christmas bells and all that had ever heard them swore they were the sweetest ever. But no one had heard them in years. It was the custom that on Christmas Eve people from all over were to bring their offerings to the Christ child. When the greatest offering was laid upon the altar, it is said that the sound of the bells could be heard over the music of the choir.

In a small village miles from the city lived a boy named Pedro and his little brother. They knew very little about Christmas chimes but had heard of the service on Christmas Eve. They had a secret plan to go and see the beautiful celebration, hoping that if the Christ child came to bless the service that they would see him.

The day before Christmas was bitterly cold but sure enough Pedro and his little brother slipped quietly away to see the ceremony. They came upon a poor woman who had fallen in the snow and would soon freeze to death. The boys tried to rouse her to no avail. Pedro told his brother to go on to the ceremony and he would stay and help keep the woman alive and perhaps get her to eat something from his pocket.

The little brother hurried off alone to the city, with tears in his eyes for leaving his brother. The church was a wonderful sight, so bright and beautiful. At the close of the service came the procession of offerings to be laid at the altar. There were wonderful and rich gifts, even the king of the country laid down his golden crown. But no sound was heard from the bells and the people wondered if they ever really rang at all.

When the procession was over, the choir began the closing hymn when the organist stopped playing. Everyone turned to the minister who was holding up his hands for silence. As the people strained to listen the sound of the chimes from the tower came sweet and clear. All strained to look at the altar to see what marvelous gift had awakened the bells.

But all the nearest of the saw was the childish figure of little brother, who having crept softly down the aisle when no one was looking, had laid Pedro's little piece of silver on the altar.