It was growing closer to that special day all elves looked forward to...Christmas Day. Outside the wind was blowing and a light, fluffy snow was coming down. All the twinkly colored lights were hung and lit. Beautiful green garlands of pine and holly berries decorated the homes and work shops of Santa Town and everything seemed to be right on schedule. Ebenezer, one of the smallest elves, had seen many Christmases. But since an elf lives a long, long time, and he had seen only 49 Christmases, he was still considered only a youngster. Still, in all that time he could not remember seeing Santa receive a single Christmas present and it was beginning to worry him. Year after year little Ebenezer helped make toys for all the good boys and girls that Santa had on his list but there was nothing for poor Santa. Ebenezer began to ask some of the older and perhaps wiser elves, if they had seen Santa receive any present in all their years but none of them could remember him getting anything. Even Ebenezer's Great, Great, Great Uncle Fezziwig had no real answer for little Ebenezer. In over 592 Christmases he could not recall seeing Santa receive one Christmas present either. But he added, that it was possible, perhaps, that Santa could have gotten something that had not been seen by any of the elves. During all his questioning, Ebenezer was also thinking what would be a good present to give Santa. It would have to be something special...something for a special person like Santa. After all, Santa was the Head Elf. So Ebenezer decided to ask his Mom. She always had the right answer. So off he went. His mother was busy making Christmas Cookies when he found her. It was Dec 23 already and there were so many last minute things to do and she always made extra cookies so Ebenezer could bring some to the workshop and share them with his co-workers. The wonderful sweet, spicy cookie aroma met Ebenezer's nose as he entered the kitchen. He could see that his mother was busy decorating a table full of all kinds of cookies. "Hi mom." He greeted her, as he came over to the kitchen table. She looked down at him, smiling. "I'll have the cookies ready for you to take back to the toyshop in a minute." Ebenezer watched as his mother finished the basket full of beautiful decorated Christmas Cookies. As she handed it to him, her "Mother's Eye" caught something in Ebenezer's face. "Is something bothering you, son?" she asked, touching his cheek as he looked up at her. "I've been worrying about Santa, mom." He answered, concern filling his little voice. “I'm worried that Santa doesn't get anything for Christmas." He explained. "And it doesn't seem like he ever has! Even Great, Great, Great Uncle Fezziwig can’t remember Santa getting anything for Christmas." He added. "Well, Ebenezer, you are very thoughtful to think of Santa" She stopped her work and sat down in a big rocking chair by the stove and motioned for Ebenezer to come over. He found a little spot on the seat and snuggled up to his mom. "I can't imagine what Santa needs Ebenezer." She said, giving him a little hug. They both just sat there for a couple minutes, gazing at the embers glowing in the stove's hearth. "Perhaps you could give him a nice box of Christmas Cookies...I've heard he really likes cookies...along with hot chocolate. And I have plenty." She said enthusiastically. Ebenezer didn't want to hurt his mother's feelings by telling her that he really wanted something more special for Santa so he said that would be good. He still hoped he could find something else before the Big Day. He left his mother in a hurry because he was late now and he had to get to work. After putting out the box of cookies in the lunchroom for all to have and putting away the other box for Santa, he hurried to his workbench. But in all his rushing around to get to his job, who should he run into but Santa himself. "Pardon me, Santa!" Ebenezer said, blushing from head to toe with embarrassment. "I was just in a hurry to start work...I was running a bit late you see!" he tried to explain. "Oh I don't think there is any permanent damage done." Said Santa, smiling. "I was in a bit of a hurry myself...you know, last minute things to do before my big trip." Santa said with a wink. "But I am glad to have run into you Ebenezer." 'What could Santa have in mind?' Ebenezer thought as Santa led the way to his large office in the middle of Toyland Central. Had he done anything wrong? " Perhaps we could talk for a minute, Ebenezer." Santa said, motioning him to have a seat by the roaring fireplace, already lit. "Help yourself to some of the cookies on the table." He offered, "while I get us some hot chocolate to wash them down." Ebenezer only looked at the cookies, thinking of the box his mother had given him for Santa. Santa already had cookies...beautiful cookies. What would he do now? Santa sat at his big desk by the fire and poured two big mugs of hot chocolate then asked Ebenezer what was wrong. Ebenezer was surprised by this question. How did Santa know? "Nothing is really wrong Santa...I've just been thinking...that's all." Ebenezer said trying not to tell Santa about his problem. But he knew it was no use. In the end, Santa always knew everything that happened in Santa Town. "You can tell me about it, Ebenezer." Santa said. "Well Santa," he started slowly, "I've been worried that you never get any Christmas Presents." "Ho, Ho, Ho." laughed Santa, his belly shaking like a bowl full of jelly. He got up from his desk and came over to Ebenezer, kneeling down on one knee. "That is very thoughtful, Ebenezer, but I receive more than you can imagine." With that Santa reached for a Crystal Snow Globe from the fireplace mantle and brought it down so Ebenezer could see it. "This Globe is Magical, Ebenezer. Look deep into it and you will see visions of Christmases past." Ebenezer looked, mesmerized, deeper and deeper into the Globe as Santa first shook the ball then rubbed its top gently. Slowly Ebenezer was able to see the smiling faces of little children. Some were dark-skinned, some light-skinned. Some lived in big houses made of bricks, others lived in small wood houses, and some lived in houses made of grass and thatch. But all where happy when they found their presents on Christmas morning and thanked Santa in their hearts for what they had received. Even Ebenezer could feel the Love from these children and knew now what Gift Santa had received each and every Christmas---LOVE. One Man's Truth...is Another Man's Conspiracy! ~ © Richard (Secondstarone@aol.com) ~ November 9, 2003 If you enjoyed this page, check these out: Sledding A Christmas Carol Love Brings Feelings When Santa Was A Boy Snowballing And.......for many others, click the link for HOME. Home: Writers' Corner Index