When Santa Was Late
'Twas all because a youngster had the measles they say,
And rashly wrote to Santa Claus one cold December day.
Old Santa always fumigates his Christmas mail, I know.
I don't see how a measles germ could have the slightest show.
But germs are mighty stubborn things - of course not easily seen;
So Santa all bespectacled now, was soon in quarantine.
The North Wind brought the tidings while blustering to and fro.
In countless daily journeys through lands of ice and snow.
And when then news was told about, shopkeepers everywhere
Threw up their hands, and groaned in great despair.
For days were speeding swiftly and Christmas drawing nigh.
"Can Santa do his shopping?" became their daily cry.
Christmas morn arrived at last, and with it such a wail.
From out a billion childish throats, that Santa should fail.
To fill each tiny sock with knickknacks as of yore.
And cover every Christmas tree with shiny things galore.
The old year heard the sobbing and the wailing through the land.
And, seeking old King Winter, quite secretly the planned.
The Old Year spoke, "Your Majesty, would be a dreadful thing.
For any self-respecting Year no Christmas joys to bring."
"Quite so, indeed!" King Winter quoth, "You've been the best of Years.
'Twould surely be regrettable to disappoint the dears.
I'll call a mammoth meeting of all the People of the Snow;
Someone among these loyal folks will have a plan, I know."
And thus it was Snow Landers in sparking gay array.
For gathered in the palace hall just at the break of day.
Now there was Old King Winter with locks and beard of snow;
Jack Frost, the jolly beggar boy, came with the Queen of Ice, you know.
And, North Wind came, of course, 'twas hard to keep him quiet.
He tumbled all the elves about and almost caused a riot.
When order was restored at last the king made known his will.
Said he, "Beloved Snow Folks all, you know good Santa's ill.
And Christmas almost five days late! 'Tis surely plain that we,
Must carry out the good Saint's job tonight from A to Z."
So every head was bowed in thought - tho' odd to say, the crowd
Was not so very quiet, since they each one thought out loud.
At last the Queen of Ice arose and raised a jeweled hand.
"Why not," she said, "send Elves out all up and down the land.
To go from town to town and visit all the stores.
And buy the gifts for boys and girls to leave at all their doors?"
"It shall be done, Your Majesty!" the faithful Snow Elves cried.
And whisking off on ice cycles, went speeding far and wide.
They stopped at every store to fill their sacks with splendid toys.
And then went off to visit homes of sleeping girls and boys.
Next morn old Santa woke and heard all o'er the white clad earth,
The melody of Christmas chimes and childish cries of mirth.
While on his sill wee elves sat and squeaked to his delight.
"A Merry Christmas Santa Claus! We did it all last night!"
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