Editor, The Times:
I was walking over the glistening snow under sparkling star light on Christmas Eve when I saw to my surprise Santa sitting all alone on his sled. I went over to see what was wrong when I noticed he was terribly downcast and looking forlorn and sad. Even his reindeer were standing with bowed heads and that on Christmas Eve
As I walked by the usually happy Santa, I asked what had caused him such distress. He sighed and looked at me with teary eyes and began to tell me a strange tale.
All was well as they left on their flight across the globe when he decided to start his visits in Canada. His reindeer settled down near a home for orphaned children, Santa wanted to bring cheer to them first of all. He avoided the chimney, it was a bit tight, and so he knocked on the door instead. A careperson opened the door, looking rather cold and grim when she said he could not come in with out presenting an ID. What is that he asked and was told his driver’s license would do to prove he was Santa; he was completely puzzled. He asked to sit a moment and to please let him take the gifts inside. Some of the children had woken up and rushed to him wanting to jump on his knees; the women screeched NO you are not permitted to touch the children without written permission from my supervisor. Santa was defeated – bureaucracy had replaced spontaneous joy that was so generously given and accepted before, and left, as the children cried softly.
Santa thought he would visit an SPCA Shelter; there should be no problem. He had stuffies and doggy treats for the poor critters that had no home at Christmas. Again he found the chimney too snug and he knocked on the door, it was already early morning; a staff member looked out and demanded he identify himself. He managed to convince the worker he was no threat to the creatures inside, so he was permitted to step into the shelter. Santa wondered if he was allowed to give out treats to the dogs but the attendant said no, he would have to ask for permission from his superior.
Santa shook his head then he noticed one young dog staring at him and whining. What is it with that sad young dog he asked?
“Oh he was surrendered as a stray. We know the owner but he can’t pick him up for a while.”
Santa offered to give him a lift either to the owner or a loving new home – the answer left him speechless.
“We can not divulge the owner’s name to anyone. We work under strict rules. It is a privacy issue. We cannot give special privilege to any one, our organization functions on strict regulations.”
That was beyond Santa’s understanding; simple kindness and care had been extinguished and replaced by cold, unfeeling bureaucracy when all the homeless dog need right then was love, and a truly caring family.
I left him as he went back to his sleigh; that was when I heard carol singing, and taking a closer look, I saw a group of senior citizens gathered around a Christmas tree singing joyfully. Santa walked cautiously over to them expecting another rebuff, but to his surprise they welcomed him with open arms, and invited him to join them but he had to get on his way. He was relieved that at least the folks who had real life experience were still warm and friendly not completely bound by strangling laws and restrictions.
Off he went with a cheerful Ho, Ho, Ho, and with a wave he jumped on his sleigh and even his reindeer were prancing happily as they flew up into the sky and away.
Elli Kohnert
Barriere, B.C.
