"It'll Take More Than a War to Keep Me Away—"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23537, 23 December 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

"It'll Take More Than a War to Keep Me Away—"

/ L

GET ready—sweep your chimneys—clean your windows, put out that bottle of lemonade and that slice of Christmas cake, because Santa Claus is on his way. He's coming, and is very nearly here. How do I know? Well, I'll tell you. < , A few months ago when war broke out over Europe, little people were whispering everywhere. "I wonder if Santa will come this yenrP s Some said and others said "no." Nobody seemed to know for certain, so I decided to pack up my suitcases and make a visit to Santa Claus, as such a very serious question must be settled, and settled' very shortly. Of course, I travelled by aeroplane. It took me a whole fortnight to reach Santa's land; but I arrived safely after flying over countries where great guns were booming and 'planes dashing through the air at terrific speed. My 'plane had a large notice painted on the side, which read, NOT .TO BE SHOT AT, and of course nobody dared to shoot at it. So one fine sparkling cold morning I arrived at my destination. 1 knew I was there by the shouting rind rushing about of hundreds of wee people, such strange little men with long white beards, great big shoes, and aprons that nearly hid their legs altogether. In the 'centre of all this bustle and shouting stood dear old Santa Claus packing a very, very largo sack with all the toys imaginable, and the colours! Well, I just can't describe the wonderful picture they made. . Santa was too busy to notice me, so 1 walked up to him and spoke in my very politest voice, "Good morning, Santa Claus, and please pardon me for interrupting you; but I have a very serious and important question to ask you." He looked at me very surprised indeed and I think a little annoyed to find an outsider in his land.'"What do you want?" lie answered curtly. "I'm up my neck in packing and am terribly busy. I'm due to start away any minute now.

An Interview with Santa Claus Specially Illustrated for "Boys and Girls" by Dorothy Wall

"Then you are going to visit the children this Christmas!" I cried delightedly. "Of course I am!" lie exclaimed impatiently. "Who said I wouldn't?" I explained to him the reason of my visit and how.very worried lots of little children were thinking perhaps he would not come this Christmas on account of the war. "Such nonsense and rubbish I've never heard of before," he said with a kindly smile. "War or 110 war, 1 am coining to leave my gifts for the children, and this year I am making an extra special call all over the world to leave presents for the baby animals as well. -So much kindness is wanted at present, when people are worried and sad. They just might iorget their pets, and I'm even going to drop a few presents in the jungles. I'm sure some mother monkeys will appreciate a few bags of peanuts and bananas for their babies, and I've a special present tucked away in my sack for the kindest mother Hon." "Good gracious!" I exclaimed. "What is it?" "A nice big juicy bone," he replied. "Well —isn't that beautiful!" 1 was too surprised and happy to think of anything else to say. And then I noticed a remarkable thing. Santa Claus had no

reindeer and 110 sleigh. Whatever had happened? Instead he had an old cart that one might see pushed out of sight in a farm-shed, and in place of the dainty shy reindeer was a sturdy old draught-horse who certainly looked very mxich out of place as lie stood there eyeing me, as much as to say, "And what's the matter with me?" "Aren't you travelling in your sleigh with the reindeer?" 1 asked Santa quietly, as I did not wish to offend his horse, as I felt sure that old horse understood every word I said. "No, I'm taking Princess this year," Santa replied. "You know the reindeer are such nervous, shy creatures, I thought the sound of the guns would frighten them, and perhaps we'd have a spill 011 the way. Princess is most reliable and not a bit temperamental. She's used to all sorts of noises and as long as she gets her six bunches of carrots a day and a good bag of oat* she'll go anywhere and do anything." '•. * . v Princess flung up her head and whinnied-as much as to say, "That's me!" By this time Santa had finished packing his sack, then dozens of the wee men helped him to load it 011 to the cart. Princess looked very proud of herself as she stood there waiting for the word to start. Just at this moment a gorgeous animal with a drummer on her back all dressed in scarlet and gold took up his position to escort Princess and Santa on their journey. t Bang! went the drums —and poor Princess was so overcome with surprise that she sat down with a loud bump on her haunches. "Gee up, Princess!" Santa shouted, while all the wee men rushed to his assistance. With a loud grunt Princess rose to her feet. Santa waved good-bye and they were off. On my way home I saw many animals and children looking for Santa Glaus —some were even writing their notes at that late hour; hut all called to me, and asked, "Is he coming?" "Yes, yes," I replied. "He's coming, he's coming!"