The Grinch’s heart grew three sizes.
In Dr. Seuss’s classic children’s story “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” the Grinch starts off as a bitter and grouchy creature with a heart “two sizes too small,” who despises the Christmas spirit of the Whos in Whoville. His disdain for the holiday leads him to devise a plan to steal all the Christmas decorations, gifts, and feast items from the Whos to prevent Christmas from coming.
However, after he completes his scheme and is about to dump all the stolen items off a cliff, he hears the Whos still singing joyfully on Christmas morning, despite having nothing. This confounds the Grinch, as he believed that taking away the material items would take away their joy. The realization that Christmas “doesn’t come from a store” and perhaps means “a little bit more” touches him deeply.
At this moment of epiphany, the Grinch’s heart undergoes a dramatic transformation. It grows three sizes, symbolizing a sudden and profound expansion of his capacity for love and kindness. Overwhelmed by this new feeling, the Grinch returns all the stolen items to the Whos and joins them in their celebration, finally understanding the true spirit of Christmas. The growth of his heart signifies his redemption and the joy he finds in community and connection.