This was one of the biggest orphanage in Hanwell in the year 1895. It was time to celebrate, as Christmas was nearing. Christmas celebration starts by gift giving,completing advent calendar,caroling, viewing a native play , a special meal and much more. These were common but all these can not be expected to happen in orphanage. But for sure Christmas is always special because all kids get their oranges and candy on this day. It may sound simple but it has been a dream for all the kids here. All kids were enlightened as the home looked more bright and attractive.
A boy over there was overwhelmed in happiness as he thought of his gift. The two oranges and candy that he dreamt for a year. Each and every minute he thought of the oranges as how he would peel it and how it would taste and he promised himself that he will never waste a bit in his gift.
The Christmas day arrived. Prayers concluded and distribution started to take place in dining hall. Each child is presented with his treasure as he enters the dining room. This boy's turn came and his principal cornered him by saying " No, you don't deserve it for what you did yesterday". The boy wept so hard but no hand were free to comfort him . The day before Christmas he was busy dreaming of his oranges and forgot to fold his beddings, which was considered as breach of rules in the home. All kids started laughing seeing his tears. But few of his friends came forward and shared their treasures.
This incident became a unforgettable one in his life . This denied boy later stepped Oscar stages to receive his Lifetime achievement award in 1972. The whole audience honoured him with a 12 minutes standing ovation which is still the longest standing ovation in Oscar history. The boy who had a dream of oranges was non other than our Charlie chaplin, an iconic figure of the silent film era.
There are more awards and incidents in his life , but this one was most important as this anxious boy later on grow to do anything to its fullest and to never regret for his breach of rules. He devoted all his life entertaining people hiding his dejection.
The actor recalls this moment in his several plays. This anecdote is one of the fine indication that Christmas for Charlie was someway special ,since he died on Christmas in 1977.
" Life and death are too resolute,too implacable,to be accidental"
- Charlie Chaplin.
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