Come Christmas, Gordon Brown likes to remind the recipients of his card of his goodwill to all men; indeed, he once sent a card that was simply a picture of the Treasury. This year is no exception. At first glance, Axel Schleffer's picture of a Christmas tree surrounded by grinning children looks innocuous - the kind of thing your local library would put up. But look more closely.
Where are all the presents? Only one lies unwrapped under the tree. It looks like a book. Presumably the children have opened all the other parcels, since they are each clutching a book - no doubt thanks to the chancellor's promise in his 2004 spending review that every small child would receive three sets of free books.
No electronic gadgets here! No frivolous toys! No need for wasteful batteries! Who needs a Farepak hamper, eh? Despite - or perhaps because of - the winter fuel payment, the tree is decorated with lit candles. With the happy children and a supervising adult is that most Brownite of hoarders, a red squirrel.
Readers of the Gruffalo books, which were illustrated by Schleffer, will recognise this character. Significantly, perhaps, most of Britain's remaining red squirrels live in Scotland.
Only one child is not smiling. She doesn't have a book. She is looking at Gordon's red box, which he has left unattended. She looks worried. Her finger is in her mouth. Who does it belong to? The Gruffalo? What is really inside it? Is it a gift? Why has he left it behind? Who will take care of it now?
It turns out that the card was designed by the charity Booktrust, which runs the free book scheme and is organising this year's children's party at No 11. That would explain the presence of the red box. But it doesn't explain why the little girl looks so worried.
Still, the Gruffalo turns out to be a rather lovable monster. Doesn't he?
