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Sunday, December 4, 2011

Storytelling Sunday

Once upon a time there were 2 little girls and their 4 cousins. They all ranged in age from about 4 to about 13. It was Christmas Eve and the children were all staying at their grandparents house for Christmas.The grandparents lived in a big farmhouse with a wrap-around verandah around 3 sides of the house. The children were ready for bed, baths were done, pyjamas on and stockings (actually they used pillowcases) had been put out waiting for Father Christmas to fill them. There was an air of general excitement and anticipation in the house.
Suddenly, there was a tremendous sound of running down the passage (wooden floors are noisy, you know) and one of the children spotted Father Christmas escaping through the side door! Then there was a shout, someone else had seen him looking in one of the windows. They rushed to the windows and he was seen running along the verandah, down the steps, jumping into the sleigh and taking off into the night sky (!) Of course, there was huge excitement after this. The children all wanted to check their stockings, but there parents would not let them, and made them wait for the morning. Of course, this made the children all believe strongly in Father Christmas for many many years!
Behind the scenes: I found out many years later, that it was my uncle who had dressed up in a Father Christmas outfit and run through the house and around the verandah, looking in at all the windows. The joke of it all: he managed to lock himself out of the house and so had to wait for ages before he could get in without letting us children see. All in December in South Africa, where it can get up to 30degrees at night, dressed in a hot, felt outfit!
BTW: The sleigh was a fabrication of all our imaginations, but we all saw it, lol.
Storytelling Sunday is a monthly meme over at Sian's blog.

16 comments:

  1. A lovely story, how wonderful of your uncle to do that and leave you with a fond lifetime memory.

    Merry Christmas.

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  2. Great story - how fab that your uncle went to such lengths to help prolong the magic!

    Merry Christmas ♥

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  3. Oh yes, you made me believe the sleigh took off! What a great Uncle to dress up an all in that kind of heat. Wonderful story!
    Have a great Christmas.

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  4. What a lovely story....and how great is the power of children'a belief and imagination

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  5. Wow that was a great story and just what is needed for the magic to continue.

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  6. Oops forgot to say I hope you have a magical Christmas this year

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  7. Wonderful story! I do love a man who believes in the magic of Christmas :) It's a pleasure to have you with us this month Tracy. Thank you for a lovely Christmas story! And Merry Christmas!

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  8. Of course there is a Father Christmas, I hear him every year ;0 what a star your uncle was. Merry Christmas to you.

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  9. What a sport your uncle must have been....and I reckon I would have seen that sleigh too!
    Alison xx

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  10. What a wonderful story, and of course you saw the sleigh, I wouldn't doubt you for a minute :)

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  11. what a sweet thing for your uncle to do and I love how we can remember things clearly, like the sleigh, then doubt it at a later date! Have a happy Christmas xxx

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  12. I love this story - I have a sister who dresses up and does all sorts of things to enhance magical moments such as this one. Merry Christmas to you.

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  13. The sleigh is the absolute best part of this story!!
    Rinda

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  14. Isn't it amazing what we can "see" when we truly believe? I love this very magical memory - thanks for sharing!

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  15. Let's hear it for the Uncle Santa! Thanks for sharing your story and Merry Christmas to all the believers at your house.

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  16. What a magical memory to have and what a lovely uncle for helping create it for you. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas xx

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