With today being December 21, it reminds me of when I was a little kid. My Great Grandmother told me the story of Saint Nick. For years to come, we celebrated Saint Nick's Day with carrying on the tradition throughout the years.
This is the story as it was told to me. I hope that someday, my Grandchildren will also know this story.
Many centuries ago in a small village nestled between two hills. There lived a round plump of a toy maker Nicholas Claus and his wife Marth Ann Claus on the outskirts of the village. Never having any children of their own, thou they always wished they had; enjoyed bringing their toys to neighboring towns and villages for merchants to sell in their stores.
The one year, there was very little rain and the farmers of the area had a very difficult time growing their crops to feed their livestock or have much to sell to any grain to pay for their basic essentials.
Nicholas and Marth Ann hopped into their sleigh as it was pulled my two strong stallions named Dunder & Blixem. As they came closer and closer to the village, they would stop at their neighbors homes along the way. In each home they heard the stories of sadness and desperation. Once they made it to the merchant in the village, he too made the same claim as all the neighbors. On the way back home, Marth Ann and Nicholas started talking about how miserable everyone was and the desperate times are causing suck heartache for everyone. Nicholas turned to Marth Ann and remarked, "I think we can help everyone out of this slum my dear Marth Ann, I think we can!"
Right away Marth Ann piped up and asked dear old Nicholas, "I see you have that wrinkle in your nose; what are you going to do?" With a snap of the reigns, Nicholas said, "we can help these people with a little inspiration and a lot of effort. I need your help Marth Ann, please write down a list of all the boys and girls in the village and the neighboring ones as well." "I'll try Nicholas, I'll try to remember them all, but I can't remember them all." Once they arrived home, Marth Ann got to work writing down a list of all the boys and girls in the village and the surrounding area. Mean while, Nicholas waddled off to his workshop where he gathered all the toys he had complete.
Carefully Nicholas counted how many toys he had for boys and how many he had for girls. There were so many toys, Nicholas couldn't fit them all into his sleigh without any of them falling out at the slightest bump or turn. So, Nicholas then grabbed some burlap bags, placing toys for boys in one and girls in the other.
Shortly thereafter, Marth Ann brought Nicholas the list of all the children she knew in the villages. He counted through the list once and twice, ensuring he had enough toys for everyone. Just then, both Nicholas and Marth Ann realized they were a few toys short. So right away, they started working on finishing some of the toys that were not complete.
As they were busy working away all afternoon, Nicholas's brother Rudolf, arrived with his sleigh full of coal and wood. His sleigh was so heavy, he had to have his whole team of six strong horses, Dancer, Prancer, Dasher, Comet, Cupid and Vixon pull all the weight of the sleigh. Rudold opened the door to the work shop. As the wind blew steady, poor Rudolf's nose was so cold and red, he immediately stood by the wood burning stove. Marth Ann and Nicholas told him what they were doing for all the families in the villages.
While Nicholas and Marth Ann finished making toys, Rudolf unloaded all the lumber into the storage shed. As night time fell upon them, they were worried they wouldn't be able to make it to everyone's home before everyone was to snuggle in their beds for the night. Rudolf offered to help Nicholas deliver all the toys. As they were in such a hurry, not all of the coal was unloaded from Rudolf's sleigh. So, instead of unloading the coal; Rudolf decided to add Nicholas's horse to his team as well, giving them eight strong horse to pull them swiftly and quickly throughout the villages.
Marth Ann and Nicholas gathered all the finished toys, packing them onto Rudolf's sleigh. Soon Rudolf, Marth Ann and Nicholas were off to each of the villager's homes. In each home, Nicholas sat down with each family, learning a little more about each person and before he was to leave, he would give each child a toy. Realizing the hard times everyone had, Nicholas would also give the parents some coal to help heat their home.
As my Great Grandmother Louis used to say, remember, it's always the thought that counts. Put your heart in their place; how would you feel? When the little things mean a lot. Some times just a lump of coal can keep you warm. Don't be a cold heartless lump of dung, do something and make others feel your love and warmth. Spread your love and good nature. Make those around you feel warm and safe. And put a smile on your face to show others you care.
