STORYTIME: Santa´s Stocking -- Final Part

... As soon as they got home, the little girl raced up the stairs to the attic. She searched through many boxes and finally found what she was looking for. She pulled out a huge piece of bright red cloth and different colored sequins. She went back downstairs and, with a pair of scissors, started cutting away. When she was done, she got some glue and continued to work. When she was done, she wrapped her beautiful creation in green wrapping paper and added a beautiful golden bow. She wrote down: FOR SANTA in big black letters on a white card and placed it in the center of the present. She carried the big package to the center of the living room and placed it under the Christmas tree. And now, she thought, for the second part of the present. She ran out and whispered something to the little boy next door, and the older girl across the street. Then she went to the twins in the big house on the corner and to the little girl who lived in the little white house. "Hurry," she shouted, "everyone has to be ready before Santa comes!" Each child went back inside and told the secret to other friends they knew. Some called their relatives on the other side of the globe; they in turn told more and more children. Soon, every child around the planet knew of this very special message, started by the little girl. On Christmas Eve, the little girl went to bed extra early, with a smile on her face, for she knew this year, the wonder of Christmas would fall on Santa.

Later that night, when everyone was asleep, a sleigh landed on top of the girl´s house. Reindeer scraped their hooves, a fat fellow came down the chimney, and started to put some presents from his sack, under the tree. He suddenly stopped as he saw a big green package with a golden bow. "For me?", he whispered, and slowly opened the present. Oh, what a wonderful feeling this was, the expectation of what was inside! As the present was revealed, Santa gasped. It was a beautiful red stocking with colored sequins that spelled SANTA. My very own stocking, he thought, my very first stocking! Inside he found a note: "Santa, you give us all so much joy, this Christmas, it´s your turn, in each house you visit you will find a special something to fill up your stocking. Every child of the world will have a little something for you, pick it up as you visit their houses tonight, and fill up your stocking well. Bring it back with you next year, for surprises will await for you as well. Merry Christmas." Pasted with glue on the back of the note was a picture of him with a little girl, the little girl who lived in this house, the little girl who had organized the most beautiful Christmas present ever. Santa finished his work, took his stocking, and went back up the chimney. In each house he visited that night, he found, pictures, drawings, gadgets and all sorts of suprises from every child. He took each one and put it in his stocking. And as he flew back home on Christmas morning he sent out a very special HO HO HO for his first Christmas stocking!

STORYTIME: Santa´s Stocking -- Part 3

... All night long, the little girl tossed and turned. What was it Santa Claus wanted? What was his Christmas wish? Early next morning, she got dressed and asked her mother to take her down to see Santa Claus again. "Did you forget to ask for something, dear?", she asked her. The little girl just grinned. The line was not as long as before, so soon it was her turn. The moment he saw her, Santa Claus smiled. "So, you´re back, " he said. "Yep," said the girl, "now, Santa, what would you like for Christmas?" "Well," sighed Santa, "I´ve been doing some thinking, and what I would like is something I can look at for the whole year to remind me of this very special season, and all of the children I visit each year. The rest, I leave up to you." The little girl, smiled at Santa and said, "I know just what to get you! But, I have to get to work, I don´t have much time! Bye, Santa!" "Merry Christmas," called out Santa.

(What do you think she´ll get Santa? Find out tomorrow with more of Santa´s Stocking!)

STORYTIME: Santa´s Stocking -- Part 2

... The little girl wondered about this as she slowly got closer and closer to Santa Claus. Now there was only one small boy in front of her, waiting impatiently with his Christmas list firmly held in one hand. Soon it would be her turn and she knew exactly what she was going to do. When Santa´s helper motioned her to come up, she sat on Santa´s lap. "Now," said Santa, "what would you like for Christmas?" The little girl smiled and said, "I want a dollhouse, please. But now I ask you Santa, what would you like for Christmas?" Santa opened up his eyes so wide, for a minute it seemed like they would pop! "What?", he asked. "Yes, every year, you give us all presents, but who fills up your stocking, Santa? That´s why I want to know, what do you want for Christmas?" Santa cleared his throat, "Weeelll, I guess no one had ever asked me that before. I´ll have to think about it." "Well then," said the little girl, "I´ll come back tomorrow..." She hugged Santa good-bye and jumped off his lap.

(More tomorrow for part 3 of Santa´s Stocking)

STORYTIME: Santa´s Stocking -- Part 1

A long time ago there was a little girl. She was a good little girl, always helping her mother around the house, doing her homework and chores and happy all around. She loved all seasons of the year, but she became especially happy when winter came about because that meant only one thing: Christmas! She loved putting up her Christmas tree, hanging her stocking and baking cookies. She loved the smell of Christmas goods in bakeries and the department store windows beautifully decorated. There was one thing about Christmas that she enjoyed very much, and that was going to the mall to visit Santa Claus. Soon the day came and her mother and father put on her coat and scarf and took her to see that very special fellow. The line was huge! As she patiently waited for her turn a thought came into her mind: Santa Claus gives presents to all the children in the world, but who gives a Christmas present to Santa?

(More tomorrow, come visit us for part 2 of Santa´s Stocking)

STORYTIME: The Turkey That Came for Thanksgiving Dinner -- Part 3

... Mary and Scott froze. What would they tell Dad? "Oh, hi Dad," said Mary, "we´re just playing a game!" "Yeah," said Scott, "a Thanksgiving game! It´s called ´Hide the Turkey´!" "Well, have fun kids, " said Dad as he walked away. They were safe for now but they had to come up with a plan. What were they going to do? Just then, the turkey flung the door of the room wide open. " Well", it said, "I´m all ready for that delicious dinner now after a good rest. Will we be eating any time soon?" "Yes,"said Mary quickly, "we´re just waiting for our grandparents." Just then the doorbell rang. Mary and Scott flew down the stairs and opened the door. It was Grandma and Grandpa! They all gave each other big hugs. Suddenly, Grandma pointed her finger at something behind them. Her wide eyes and open mouth made Mary and Scott fear the worst, and they were right. Right there, behind them, staring straight into Grandma´s eyes was Mr. Turkey!


(Find what happens to Mr. Turkey, Mary and Scott tomorrow for the ending of Storytime....)

STORYTIME: The Turkey That Came for Thanksgiving Dinner -- Part 2

... Mary and Scott could not believe what they heard. A talking turkey at their door! The turkey looked at them intensely. Mary was the first to talk: "Why are you here, Mr. Turkey?" The turkey answered, "Well, I was out on the farm when all the other turkeys started running away saying they had to leave before Thanksgiving dinner. So I packed my suitcase, put on my hat and scarf, and set out to find a nice house where I could have this very important dinner at. And here I am!" Mary and Scott looked at each other. What were they to do? What would Mom and Dad say when a talking turkey sat with them at the dinner table? They had only one choice, they had to hide the turkey. Mary ran inside and checked that the coast was clear. Scott asked the turkey in and led it to their room. The turkey sat on the bed. "Ahhhhhh!, " it exclaimed, "I´m going to rest just a bit before dinner if that´s ok with you. That was a long walk." "That´s quite all right Mr. Turkey", said Scott, "You make yourself at home!" Mary and Scott tiptoed out of their room and closed the door behind them. Their Dad´s voice startled them, "Hey, what are you kids up to? Who are you talking to?"

Find out what Mary and Scott will tell Dad tomorrow when the story continues.

STORYTIME: The Turkey That Came for Thanksgiving Dinner -- Part 1

Mary and her younger brother Scott were very excited about Thanksgiving Day. Their grandparents were coming over for dinner and Mom was preparing a big feast. They were helping out with decorations, drawing turkeys and pilgrims to set around the living room. Dad was helping set the big table and a scent of delicious food surrounded the house.

Just as Mary and Scott were hanging a paper turkey near the front door they heard a knock. "It must be Grandma and Grandpa!", shouted Scott as he ran to open the door with Mary right behind him. What was their surprise to find, not their dear grandparents, but a big, fat turkey!

It was standing at the door with a funny smile on his face and a suitcase in one wing. He was wearing a hat and a scarf. As Mary´s and Scott´s eyes popped wide open in disbelief, the turkey spoke in a deep, but friendly voice: "Hellooooo! Here I am! May I come in?"

(Find out more about Mary, Scott and the turkey tomorrow for part 2 of Storytime)