DECEMBER 16, 1960
Just Like The Ones Before
I heard the wind whistling through the bare branches of the trees as I made my way toward the little snow-covered cottage.
I peeked into one window and I could see tiny figures gaily working on every kind of toy imaginable. As I watched the workers, a little old lady came out of a room, the kitchen, imagine, for she was carrying a tray of food; hot chocolate and cookies, I think. -Her hair was whitened with age and it reminded me of the snow gathered on the branches of the trees. I began to shiver as I watched her; I pulled the collar up around my neck and pulled my cap down around my ears. The workers seemed to smile at the sight of her and they stopped their endless work for something to eat and drink.
The little people gathered around her chair and listened as she spoke to them. I looked around the room eagerly awaiting the arrival of her famous husband. Sure enough! From the same room that the white haired lady had come, came a jolly old gentleman. His hair too was long; I wondered for a moment if the long white fluff that hung from his chin might be feathers. He was dressed in a red velvet snowsuit with shiny black boots and a beautiful black leather belt hung loosely from his rather plump tummy. He was just what I imagined him to be. His eyes were of the brightest blue I had ever seen and they twinkled like crystal. He carried a
Then, an amazing thing happened. I shudder just to think of it. The old man took off his boots and his jacket, and turned to go into a room at the far end of the house. He disappeared leaving the little old lady and the workers eating cookies (except one worker who was busily rocking on a brown rocking-horse). Only a few minutes passed and the old man entered the room. I couldn't believe what I saw! He was wearing the loudest Cabana suit I had ever seen! He threw the sack over his shoulder, kissed his wife, waved goodbye to the workers, walked toward the chimney, and up he flew like a flash! I was stunned, but I managed to step backward so I could see him on the top of the roof.
There waited a sleigh with nine reindeer. The lead reindeer pranced nervously back and forth, and it had the reddest nose I ever saw. Just then the old man jumped up from the chimney and got into the sleigh. As they flew into the night, I could hear him singing, "Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, when I get to Florida, that's where I'm gonna stay."