The children went off into the woods to play.
It wasn't there yesterday you know.
The cottage with the thatched roof covered in crystals of ice and dripping snow.
The trees in the forest are lovely and clean, they're smelling of freshness, they're dressed in bright green.
The cottage windows glowed with smiles.
Very inviting and cosy and warm.
Cautiously, the children peeped in through the windows.
The windows behind which all secrets hid.
They saw a room with a blazing fire in the hearth.
A room full up with noisy industrious elves.
They were picking and packing toys onto the shelves.
The children were such mischievous imps.
They had to take a closer look.
They crept as silently as the night moved, to the other side of the copse.
Looked into the window, just over there.
A chubby red faced woman was plaiting her hair.
On the opposite side of the very same room, sat Santa Claus.
He was wearing maroon.
The children stood and watched a while.
I swear they saw old Santa smile.
He noticed them looking in.
The old door swung open, he beckoned them in.
He fed them Christmas cookies.
Gave them steaming cocoa in mugs.
Santa was just the jolliest chap that they had ever met.
They finished their drinks and munched all their cookies.
Santa Clause said to the children, now off you must go.
You must forget we ever met.
He waved them goodbye, as they left through the door.
They skipped and they danced over the woodland floor.
Those naughty children would be back tomorrow.
The following day they went back to the very same spot, Santa was gone and all was forgot.
It was 5'o'clock in the morning, on December 25th.
The children rustled and played with their stockings.
Smiling excitedly and noisily.
Delighted that they had not been forgot.
(C) Livvi
