The Best Gift I Ever Received

Sometimes the simplest presents are the most meaningful. Here, RD readers from around the world reflect on the gifts they have never forgotten

AS A CHILD, I loved to write. One Christmas I asked for a typewriter, but instead of a gift to unwrap, I was given a 'voucher' for a typewriter that never materialized. When I grew up, I considered whether to go into journalism or psychology. I finally opted for the latter and I love my profession. Perhaps not getting that typewriter was the real gift: a sign that I should forget about writing and pursue psychology instead. Amira Bueno, Madrid, Spain

I WAS TALKING TO my grandson, Youri, about what we wanted most in life. "I'd like to see penguins," he said. I replied, "That's funny! I had the same dream when I was your age. Why penguins?"

Neither he nor I knew. Perhaps because this exotic animal was unknown to us. The nearest penguins lived in South America; we live in France.

As time went by, Youri and I continued to talk about penguins, as if to remind ourselves that we should always make our dreams come true.

Then, I received a vacation postcard from him. On the back he had written that the place was nice, but it lacked penguins. That triggered something in me. I dipped into my savings and said to him, "Come on, let's go and see them!"

At the time, I was 81 and Youri was 14. We set off together, all on our own. From Buenos Aires, we crossed Patagonia by bus, all the way to Tierra del Fuego. Youri looked after me every step of the way, from making sure I got a good room at the hotel to translating the menu for me with the little Spanish he spoke. Along the way, some French tourists said to me, "You're lucky to have such a grandson!" For me, my grandson's presence made this trip the greatest gift of all.