'Santa's Tale Of Woe'

I'd like to begin this blog with a poignant little story I wrote back in 2004 that for me sums up how sad it is now that the evils of a few have been allowed to dominate our thinking in such a way as children - who will ask to be picked up or hugged as soon as they clap eyes on Santa Claus - have to be denied the joy that a warm embrace gives. The really sad thing about this is that we (adults) understand why a big hug is no longer possible but kids do not and must often feel unloved and rejected. My question for you all to consider therefore is, by protecting them from the ills of the few are we doing more damage by denying them the love of the masses? I think so...   

Santa's Tale Of Woe by Tony May

“I teetered precariously on the precipice of life I can tell you” said Santa to Mrs. Christmas shaking his head sadly. Mrs. Christmas handed her husband a glass of mulled wine and gently squeezed his lower arm. “They said I was no longer allowed to touch any of the children, me! Santa Claus! Can you believe that? What good am I if I cannot show love and affection to all the children of the world teaching them in turn to show love to others?”

Santa put down his glass of wine and with his elbows resting on his knees, began to sob uncontrollably. Mrs. Christmas’s eyes narrowed in sympathy. “There, there, dear” she said softly standing behind her distraught husband and gently placing a caring hand upon his shoulder.

How it made her blood boil to see her wonderful, caring and conscientious husband so distressed. She had a good mind to use the sleigh this minute, go to earth and give all those overly paranoid, politically correct busybodies a piece of her mind! Had people become so afraid, suspicious and distrusting of evil that they were no longer able to see the good in any of us? For every peadophile amongst men a million others were loving, gentle and kind-hearted. If the world had banned hugs and kisses then the whole of humanity was doomed. For, without hugs and kisses love cannot grow and in a world without love there would no longer be a need for Christmas!

Contemplating such horrible thoughts made Mrs. Christmas begin to well up. Desperate to appear strong for her still sobbing husband, however, with one last ounce of strength she heard herself say…

“Now, now dear, do not trouble yourself so. I will be back soon with a nice cup of tea and a sherry mince pie – you’ll feel much better then”.

Once safely out of sight and earshot of her husband in the kitchen, Mrs. Christmas allowed herself a little cry. How could the people of earth be so stupid, she thought? Did they not realize that without the time of reflection that is Christmas people would become disconnected from each other, greedy, uncaring and selfish.

“Pull yourself together Amelia! There’s nothing to be gained by falling apart,” She thought to herself…

Wiping her eyes with the bottom of her pinafore Mrs. Christmas swiftly set about filling the kettle with water and put it on the hearth. Then, a few minutes later, all smiles, she made her way back into the living room a tray containing a fresh pot of tea and a plate of sugar dusted mince pies in her hands.

Thankfully, by this time Santa had managed to compose himself once more and was sitting quietly in his favourite armchair staring at the Christmas tree - his still booted feet resting on a footstall. 

“I’m sorry darling,” said Santa managing a weak smile.

“Perhaps I am just a little tired and out of step with the times. Has the post arrived yet?

“Not yet dear but it shouldn’t be long. You pull off those boots and relax in front of the fire – I will see to Rudolph and the other reindeers tonight”.

Santa smiled warmly. “You’re a good woman, Mrs. Christmas, a good woman,” he said tenderly.

Mrs. Christmas placed her ‘tray full of comforts’ down on a small table nearby and walked over to the door to grab her coat.

“Now don’t let your tea get cold. Will you?” She said as she opened the door.

Stepping out into the cold winters eve, Mrs. Christmas gazed up at the stars as she walked the few yards from the house to the ‘magic calling point’.

“Rudy! Rudy!” She shouted.

Almost immediately the sound of sleigh bells could be heard and a few moments later Rudolph’s red nose could be seen glowing like a headlight in the night sky. Then, as if by magic, Rudolph and the other reindeers slid the sleigh to a halt in front of her.

Mrs. Christmas went over to the sleigh and stroked each Reindeer’s coat affectionately.

“You won’t be needed again tonight dears”,she said, releasing each one in turn from the harness on the heavy sleigh. “Off with you now back home to your families but be sure to listen for our call tomorrow”.

One by one the Reindeers galloped off into the night sky. Rudolph, however, seemed reluctant to go and sidled up to Mrs. Christmas nudging her gently with his glowing red nose.

“Yes Rudy, I know, you’re worried about him too. Mrs. Christmas gave Rudolph a loving pat and gently pulled his silken ears.

“Don’t worry Rudy, I’ll make sure he’s fine again soon.”

Rudolph’s nose flashed on and off – something he only did when he was happy – and then with a shake of his antlers he flew back into the night sky.

Mrs. Christmas stood in the snow and watched Rudolph until she could see only the tiniest speck of his red nose in the distance. What was to come of the festive season, good will to all men, love peace and understanding, she thought?

Walking back to their tiny house her spirits were suddenly given a tremendous boost for, the closer to home she got, the louder the sound of her husbands laughter became!

“Ho, Ho, Ho”

“Ho, Ho, Ho”

“Ho, Ho, Ho”

“Ho, Ho, Ho”

Mrs. Christmas wiped the snow away from outside the front room window and peered into their home. There, the morning post scattered about him, was her husband joyously looking at thousands of Christmas cards from the children of earth. With every primitive drawing of himself he came across so another ho, ho, ho, erupted and with every letter he read so the broadest smile swept across his face.

Mrs. Christmas smiled. No one could ever come between her husband and the children of the world she thought for he, after all, was the biggest kid of all…

Antony May 11/12/04