Little Lucky is a boy with everything. He is the apple of his father’s eye, and his room is stuffed to the ceiling with toys, games, and gadgets. Lucky’s dad thinks it is a matter of honour that his son should not want for anything. If Lucky wants something, he gets it.

For all that, Lucky is not a particularly happy child. In fact nobody can remember ever seeing a smile light up his face.

Christmas is fast approaching, and Lucky’s father has been preparing for the big day since August, buying his son a vast array of ever more astonishing gifts. “This will certainly make Lucky a happy chap”, thinks Dad as he buys the latest mobile phone, which can be used as a camera, a TV remote control device, a pocket flashlight, an iron, and even as a can opener.

When Christmas comes there is a smile on Lucky’s face alright, but it is for quite a different reason than his father imagines…

Mauri Kunnas's books have been translated into more than 25 languages.