THE TINIES HAVE THEIR SAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 303, 23 December 1939, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE TINIES HAVE THEIR SAY

One Christmas Eve, Dad. took the rest of the family to Waihi to see the pretty shops. Soon after they had gone I hung up my stocking. When this was done I put my note for the toys I wanted. Then I went to bed, but somehow I could not sleep. ... I could not help thinkirtg of the lovely toys Father Chrietmas bring me. Presently I heard the tinkling of the tiny bells that were tied to Santa's sledge. I looked out into the still moonlight night, and what do you think I saw ? Sure enough, there he was, riding on his sledge piled high JSVith toys. Following him was a dancing crowd of fairies who sang sweetly. They came closer and closer till they were at our gate. They took a box from pauta's sledge and carried it to the side of the house, where they opened it. Then they unfolded a long fairy ladder. Santa rose from his sledge and walked towards our house. He went up the ladder and on to the roof. I heard the sound of Santa's and the fairies' feet going towards the chimney. I was quiet for a while, and then I heard his footsteps coming down the passage. Very soon ha was peeping into my room. He was a little old man with a red cap and coat bordered •with white fur. Over his shoulder lie had a bag of toys and on his face there was a lovely smile. "Ha, ha! My little child, so you've caught me this time." All the fairies laughed and laughed. "A merry Christmas to you." "The same to you," I said. "May 1 have that lovely fairy doll I see in your bag? I should also like one of those stockings the fairy behind you is carrying. And Mother -would love that wonderful Christmas cakp!" He gave me what I asked, and then the fairies filled the rest of the children's stockings with toys, fruit and lollies. "Good-bye, my little girl, a happy 'Chrietmaa and a blight Xcw Year," and off they all trooped. —By Joan McCormlck (aged 7).

If I woke on Christmas Eve and saw Santa putting his gifts into my stocking I would say: "Oh, dear Father Christmas! I've been so excited about your coining that I could not go to sleep tonight. But if you will forgive me, go out in the dining room and oat the nice supper that Mummy has set for you and I'll put my head under tho bed clothes and be asleep when you coma in again." "Well," he'd say, "as I have been so far, and so busy, I thinic I will, because I know just how you feel. I was like that myself when I was a little boy. Merry Christmas, and sweet dreams!" '"Same to you, Father Christmas!" 0 —By Rosemary Helean. • * * * "Hello, dear Santa Claue! I thought I heard your aeroplane buzzing round my house. It is so dark o».tside. How do you fiud your wayT" "The stars show me the way, little girl. Now, tell me what you want." "I have waited such a long time for such a lot of things, but there are such a lot of little girls in the world who have nothing. Please, dear Santa Claus, give me just one thing, and promise me that you will give a present to lots of other little children who would be pleased to have a visit from you." —By Betty Pitcher (aged 7). • * * » Oh, oh, oh! I woke up just in time, for there coning in the door was Father Christmas Irimself. Dear me! I was just going to shout: "Hello, Father Christmas!" when I thought that perhaps I had better be quiet. But he came to the foot of my bed and spoke kindly to me. "You should not be awake at this time of night," he eaid. I did not know what to say. "Never mind," he said, "just close your eyes till I say to open them." So I closed my eyes. When I opened them again there was nothing to be seen. I thought very hard, but I still cannot decide whether it was a dream or not. What do you think ? —By Ngaiire Sumner (aged 7).