A Surprise Visit From Santa

'Twas Christmas Eve and cheer abounded in the humble English cottage! The olde house rang with joy since the children knew with certain knowledge, That Santa and his reindeer would drop by for a visit later on that night! Mum was fixing Yorkshire pudding and a goose for their Yuletide delight! Papa and the kids had trudged through the forest to find the perfect tree! It stood by the window brilliantly lit with candles for all passersby to see! Snow flakes as large as ha'pennies wafted down and covered the roof, To provide a smooth and soft landing place for each little reindeer hoof! Later they gathered 'round the olde pump organ to sing carols of yore! Papa read the Nativity Story since the kids wanted to hear it once more. Mum served cocoa and biscuits with quaffs of hot cider in between. No mere artist would dare capture with brush this cheery Dickensian scene! The grandfather clock struck ten and the little ones were shooed off to bed! They were tucked in bed after stories were read and their prayers were said. They napped with one eye open when all of a sudden they heard much ado! Leaping from their beds they tiptoed downstairs where they saw you know who! 'Twas jolly olde Santa busily placing toys 'neath their Christmas tree! He saw them and said, "Won't you have some milk and biscuits with me?" Santa smoked his pipe as they sat on his lap playfully tugging his beard, When to their surprise it came off and the smiling face of Papa appeared! Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (c) All Rights Reserved Entry for Debbie Guzzi's "Happy Holidays" Contest