and heart-rending as reporters around the world hunt for appropriate "Christmas stories''.

As Bermuda heads into the frenzy of the last two shopping days before Christmas we offer the following story from Seattle, not necessarily to preach, but maybe to present a gentle reminder of what giving is really all about: Sixteen-year-old April Fleming was facing death within days, and she wasn't thinking of herself.

When the Make-A-Wish Foundation promised to grant the repeat runaway's dying desire, April didn't ask for food, travel, fancy clothes or exotic animals.

She didn't even ask to meet a personal hero.

She asked for Christmas presents for homeless kids.

"I've never had a child want to give to someone else,'' said Susan Houk, marketing director for the foundation that answers the wishes of dying children. "It was very, very touching.'' Three years ago, April found she had polycythemia vera, a pre-leukaemic disease that has led in her case to cirrhosis of the liver. Three months ago, doctors gave her a year to live. Three weeks ago, they said six months. Last week, they said she'd be lucky to see Christmas. Last Friday, she went home with an aunt.

"She decided she didn't want to die in the hospital,'' said Dean Forbes, spokesman at Children's Hospital & Medical Centre.

April asked the hospital to tell well-wishers she needs nothing more and they should give to children who do.

Two weeks ago, her nurse, Barbara Swenson, called Make-A-Wish and said, "If you want to do something for this girl, you've got to do it in the next 48 hours.'' When April named her wish, foundation members immediately went out and bought toys and clothes for 12 children. The next morning, a board member suited up as Santa Claus delivered the goodies to a homeless shelter.

April cried in her hospital bed as she watched a video showing the children's delight.

"I've been there,'' she said. "I was homeless by choice, but I've been there.'' That story came over the wire earlier this week. At press time last night, the Associated Press office in Seattle had no word of April's condition. Merry Christmas, April.