Tiffany Allen is a seven year old girl who is recuperating from a serious operation on her legs.

She is now in a wheel chair, looking very pale, and weak.

Tiffany's parents spent their honeymoon in Bermuda and were so impressed with the Island, that they thought visiting Bermuda for Christmas would be a wonderful get well present for Tiffany.

They have shown her pictures, books, and videos of Bermuda, but the only thing Tiffany really wants to see is the Gombeys, that her parents keep talking about.

Tiffany and her parents arrive in Bermuda on Christmas Eve aboard the cruise ship Zenith.

On Christmas morning Tiffany opens up all her presents. She receives many gifts including a Gombey doll, but she is very disappointed, because she still hasn't seen the real Gombeys.

That night Tiffany had a wonderful dream. She dreamt that she was being carried on the shoulders of a Gombey who was blowing a whistle. She was having the time of her life! Tiffany wakes on Boxing Day, and can hear a noise in the distance. She can hear drums, clapping, cheering and a whistle.

She looks out of her cabin window and what she sees is a colourful tall glittering hat! She calls excitedly to her parents. She demands them to see the Gombeys. They try to explain to her that she isn't well enough to leave the ship, but she begs.

Tiffany and her mother go to breakfast but her father comments that he doesn't want to join them.

Tiffany is upset about not being able to leave the ship but her mother says, "Don't cry! You can come back next year, when you have fully recovered from operation.'' All of a sudden, Tiffany hears a noise above her. What could it be? Suddenly she catches a glimpse of a brightly coloured hat outside the window.

It is a Gombey! Her father had quietly left the ship in order to ask the Gombeys if they would make his daughter's vacation complete. "Of course!'' they exclaimed.

Before Tiffany knew what was happening, she found herself hoisted up on the shoulders of a Gombey. They passed her the whistle, and before you could say "Boxing Day'' she was leading the Gombeys.

Tiffany felt energy. She was so delighted and the great thing was that she smiled and laughed for the first time in weeks. She gained her confidence. The Gombeys had given her the gift of regaining her strength! Now Tiffany has her own family, and each year they visit Bermuda and especially enjoy the Gombeys.

SHORT STORY COMPETITION CPN