Christmas Morning: A Christmas Tale

Christmas came and went that year. It was almost uneventful. Well, not quite. Things really started happening, when Robin spotted Santa Claus and his reindeer flying off the roof into the night. Still believing in Santa, Robin had waited up, quietly listening for the anticipated clatter of reindeer hooves. He had been so sleepy! 

Robin almost missed Santa's visit, but the loud noise that the reindeer made awakened him fully. He quickly jumped out of bed and ran to the window. Sure enough, it was Santa and his reindeer. They were just leaving. Not only that, Rudolf really had a bright red nose!

Robin carefully turned on one small, nightlight in the hallway and hurried downstairs. He had to be sure!

Boot prints on the living room carpet and a trail of black soot from the fireplace, immediately confirmed the fact that Santa had just been there. The milk and cookies Robin had left on the table were gone, too. Sure enough, there was a brand new bike under the Christmas tree.

"Mom! Dad! Santa did get my letter!" exclaimed Robin, excitedly. "I knew he would." Earlier that month, Robin had sent a letter to the North Pole asking Santa for a new bike for Christmas.    

"I really didn't imagine it, Dad! I didn't. It was Santa. I saw him leaving."

"Get back into bed!"

"But there really is a brand new bike for me under the Christmas tree!"

"I will have to give that youngster a good talking to," said Robin's father abruptly, as he rolled over and began to drift off to sleep again.

"Do as your father said. Go back to bed, son." His mother ordered. "We will talk more about this, in the morning. Serge, Robin is getting to be more and more like Pinocchio every day."

"Christmas morning and seven am," Robin's father's booming voice re-sounded throughout the house. "Who on earth could be banging on our front door?"

"Constable?"

"Good morning, sir. There have been some sightings in our area. Wonder if you folks know anything?"

"No, constable," said Robin's father. "There's nothing unusual happening here."

"Does Pinocchio have a son?" wondered Robin's mother.