EES THE DA POST — THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1963 Why Santa Came If you listen as closely, as closely can be, I’ll tell you a story my grandma told me, And the story she told me is why Santa came Way back in the years ’fore most folks knew his name. My grandma told me that her grandma told her Of a snow covered land and bears with white fur, Where a funny old couple with no girls and boys Lived in a house that was chuck full of toys; Because Santa Claus (that was really his name) Just loved to make toys for the fun of the game, And way, way up there, I don’t think that he Ever thought of how famous one day he would be. His workshop was tiny and crowded as well And wherever he stepped, over new toys he fell, ’Till the workshop and all of the house overflowed And at last Mrs. Santa said ““They’re in my road, You’ll have to find space that’s outside of my house, Now scat” —and old Santa as meek as a mouse Backed out to go down to his workshop below, Tripped over some toys and fell flat in the snow. He grunted, sat up, and cleared snow from his eyes And there to his wonderful joy and surprise, Coming into the yard were none other themselves Than his old friends and neighbors, the Carpenter Elves. The elves gathered ‘round and helped Santa rise, And he gleefully said, “You're a sight for sore eyes, For I need your kind help a new workshop to build, And no one can do it like elves of your guild.” So the elves went to work and first thing you know A new workshop stood where before was just snow, And Santa had helpers and workrooms to spare For the elves said right out, they’d like to stay there, This was surely the home for which they’d been looking And then too, Mrs. Santa did wonderful cooking; So the thing was all settled, the elves had a home And Santa had time to go shopping in Nome. So early one morning he rose from his bed, Hitched up his six reindeer, and loaded his sled With the newest and brightest of some of his toys To give out in Nome to a few girls and boys. Then Santa and reindeer pulled out through the snow (For as yet over housetops they’d not learned to go) And through the deep snowdrifts they puffed on their way ’Cause Santa was heavy and so was the sleigh, But at last, with a jingle of bells and a shout They pulled into Nome and Santa got out. He stabled his reindeer, unloaded his toys, And soon was surrounded by small girls and boys Who loved him not only for toys that they’d find, But because he was lively, and jolly, and kind. Then he called out their names and for each had a toy, But when all names were called there was one little boy Who stood there with nothing, so Santa spoke out, “How is it I never have seen you about?” The little boy answered and brushed off a tear, “My mamma and papa just came up this year From a town where we lived in the good U.S.A. But no one like you ever came down our way, And lots of the kids never saw any toys Except, maybe some of the rich girls and boys.” Santa looked thoughtful and said, ““Yes, I know, And I often have wished I could go down below, But for such a long trip not enough time have I Unless, like the birds, all my reindeer could fly.” Then he added the little boy’s name to his list And told him that never again he’d be missed. So, happy and singing, the kids said goodbye, And Santa went down to the grocer’s to try To purchase the things Mrs. Santa had listed (A job he disliked ’cause he sometimes got twisted) But at last he was finished, his sleigh was piled high, And his six reindeer eager the trip home to try; So away they all raced through the wind and the snow For homeward too Santa was anxious to go — Then, so covered with snow they seemed more white than brown, The reindeer at last entered Santa Clause town; And though it was late, Mrs. Santa was waiting And the elves quickly came from where they were skating, To help tired Santa unload his large sled, Unbhitch the six reindeer and put them to bed; Then, yawning and sleepy, they finished their chores And Santa Claus town was soon filled with their snores. But Santa’s first job when next day he got up Was to see that each reindeer received a large cup Of special cooked oats with some vitamins added And that each stall with plenty of straw was well padded, For he knew that the trip had exhausted them all So that each needed long hours of sleep in his stall, And he made up his mind as he worked with them there That to his six reindeer he’d add one more pair, ’Cause the sleigh and it’s load seemed too heavy indeed And the team he now had couldn’t make enough speed. By WILLIARD G. SEAMAN S Now Santa was thinking of that boy in Nome Who told how the kids in his U. S. A. home Had no one like Santa to keep them in mind, And who’d never heard of this old man so kind; So maybe, thought Santa, if I have a team Of eight speedy reindeer with plenty of steam, I might make a trip at least part way down there And see that more kids of my toys get their share. Then Santa stepped out and looked up at the sky And the day seemed so fine, he decided he’d try A hunt for the reindeer he wanted so badly And the elves, when he asked, said they’d go very gladly; So they all strapped on snowshoes and headed northwest To a spot where the hunting would likely be best, For that was the spot where, the oldest elf said, A reindeer had once flown right over his head, But the elves, who had all heard his story before Laughed loudly and asked if he knew any more, For whoever heard of a reindeer that flew, There was no such thing as most everyone knew. Then suddenly Santa told all to keep still For a large herd of reindeer was over the hill, And the elves’ swiftest runners he then singled out, Gave each one a halter and told him about The kind of a reindeer he’d like them to find, And not to be rough, but be gentle and kind; Then when each had his reindeer, to let Santa know By using a whistle he gave them to blow. So the runners went back and circled the hill. While Santa Claus waited, and soon there came shrill The whistle of one, then of two, and of three, And Santa and elves were delighted to see The runners returning and each one was leading A reindeer that he had surprised at his feeding; So Santa examined them all with great care, : (Though they danced and grew nervous and leaped in the air) And two of the finest he finally chose, Then the others turned loose with a pat on the nose. Now homeward they turned with the reindeer in tow, And they danced and they pranced and soared over the snow While the elves were at times almost dragged in the air As the new reindeer leaped over great snowdrifts there; So now as he watched them go soaring so bold, Santa thought of the story the old elf had told Of the flying reindeer who had streaked through the air, And he thought up a plan as he watched the new pair. The next day he harnessed them up to his sleigh, And let them pull out for just a short way So that after awhile they were used to his voice, And they soon learned to turn where Santa made choice. Then later the other six reindeer he added, And out through the snow the eight of them padded; Soon Dasher and Dancer, (the new reindeer’s names) Leaped into the air as he pulled on the reins, And Santa called “ UP” as he leaned o’er the six For he wanted them all to learn Dancer’s new tricks. Each day with his full team he’d go out and try And after awhile they had all learned to fly For a short distance over the top of the snow (But not very high and at first they were slow) But Santa kept trying and soon got a thrill, For the whole team flew over a neighborhood hill With a speed that left Santa without any breath (And while he didn’t say so, most scared him to death) So now at long last Santa’s dream had come true And as each day he practiced, the faster they flew, Till at last as the country beneath him unfurled He knew he could travel all over the world With toys for the kids not only in Nome But for kids the world over and in every home. And so on every Christmas Eve Santa’s as real as you believe
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