Al Wankat

A few cinders started to settle at the bottom. Several clouds of soot and thin chunks of carbon fell. Then came a grunt, followed by a very dirty bewhiskered man. His red suit was completely black, and anywhere he stepped, there remained a black footprint.

Up on the roof could be heard an impatient pounding. The reindeer were hungry, for it was way past their feeding time, and they were tired. They had gone a long way tonight.

Downstairs, Santa Claus had taken off his boots, and muttering to himself, he started off towards the tree. He quickly deposited his gifts - after having removed his sooty gloves.

Then came the hard part. Putting on the gloves and boots, he faced the chimney. He had only the chimney left to climb up, and then home until another year.

But what if he got stuck? He was tired, and it HAD been hard coming down that chimney. So he again took off his boots, and then tip‑toed across to the front door, opened it, and left for home.