used to tell me . She always said we were lucky to have such a beautiful Hanukkah menorah . When her Daddy was a littleboy , his family was so poor they couldn ’ t afford a real one , so they used a potato to hold the candles .”
Suddenly , Sammy understood . “ Oh , neat ! It ’ s perfect !”
That evening , before the family sat down to dinner , Rachel quietly reminded her father that it was the first night of Hanukkah .
Mr . Levy smiled and said , “ Yes , honey , I haven ’ t forgotten . In fact , this afternoon I spoke to your Uncle Louis , and your Hanukkah treat is all arranged . You and Sammy are flying to Minneapolis this weekend for a wonderful celebration .”
“ That ’ s great !” Sammy piped up , “ But we don ’ t have to wait . Come into the kitchen . We ’ ve got a surprise for you .”
Mr . Levy did not know what to expect , but when he saw the odd potato holding candles for the first night of Hanukkah , tears filled his eyes .
His voice trembled as he spoke . “ Children , it ’ s beautiful . Your mother would be very proud . Let us light the candles .”
Together they chanted the blessings as Rachel lit the candles .
After dinner , they played with the dreidels Rachel had bought and congratulated her on the presents she had chosen .
At bedtime , Rachel confessed to her father that she , too , would like a special Hanukkah gift .
Mr . Levy smiled . “ That seems only fair ,“ he said . “ Anything in particular ?”
“ Yes , Daddy . Please help me find our Hanukkah menorah . The potato is nice , but it ’ s not the same .”
“ You ’ re right , Rachel ,” he said . “ Tonight , I realized how much I , too , miss Mommy ’ s beautiful menorah . We ’ ll look for it together in the morning .”
The next night the family chanted the blessings for the second night of Hanukkah . Standing side-by side were two very beautiful menorahs .
The Odd Potato by Eileen Bluestone Sherman . Text copyright © 1984 Eileen Bluestone Sherman . All rights reserved . Printed in Berkshire Magazine ’ s Holiday 2020 issue with permission from the author . Illustrations by Leonard Kenyon © 2019 Old Mill Road Media All rights reserved .
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