Santa’s Sack – Part Two

The visitor’s centre was even more astounding than anything the girls had already seen within that magical world.

On its high ceiling was a giant painted mural of a Christmas tree with shining gold and silver baubles and a crystal star on top and, all over the walls of the room, there were pictures of toys and sweets; holly wreathes; bright stars and other Christmassy things.

And the entire room was cluttered with toys and games; some of them enormous, like a giant rag doll that sat in a far corner with button eyes as big as cartwheels.

Then, Mr Dogood pointed towards a golden coloured, furry sofa shaped like a teddybear, saying, “Please, take a seat and feel free to play with any of the toys” and then the teddybear arms of the sofa hugged the three of them tightly as they sat down, while behind their heads, the eyes of the teddy bear headrest opened and it said, “I just love to give cuddles”.

Then, to their further amazement, a giant music box in a corner of the room flipped open its lid and out leapt, not one or two or even three, but ten tiny ballerinas in silver tutus and ballet slippers who then started to dance; leaping and pirouetting to the magical song that was now pouring from the music box.

“Teeny, tiny snowflakes
made of fancy lace;
falling, falling, falling
all over the place.

Teeny, tiny snowflakes;
dancing through the air;
falling, falling, falling;
falling everywhere.

Little ballerina’s
pirouette and twirl,
weaving a White Christmas
for all the boys and girls”.

Then, just as suddenly as they had appeared, the ballerina’s leapt, one by one, back into the music box; its lid snapping shut behind them.

“Wow! That was amazing”, said Jemima, her eyes wide with wonderment.

And both her sisters agreed but it was only the beginning of their Christmas show for then, suddenly, up out of the floor infront of them, popped a giant, glittering green Christmas tree that was covered in multi-coloured lollipops and sweets and chocolates wrapped in gold and silver foil and, not only that, but this tree could sing and dance as well.

“I’m the incredible, edible Christmas tree;
sugar and spice and all things nice, that’s me;
delicious liquorice and lemon drops
and fifty, different flavoured lollipops.
I’m chocolate and sticky toffee chews
and lots and lots of other sweet things too;
sweeter than any honey bee could be;
I’m the incredible, edible Christmas tree”.

Then, when the tree had finished whirling and twirling and singing its happy song, it picked three brightly coloured lollipops off of its own branches and handed them to Jemima and her sisters and, sucking on the lollipops, they all thought they were the best lollipops they had ever tasted.

“Mmm”, said Jemima, smiling, “Strawberries and cream. Thankyou, Mr Christmas tree”.

Then, taking a bow, the Christmas tree sank back into the floor but, just at that moment, to the surprise of the three girls, in walked Santa Clause.

Seeing him, Jemima worried that he might be cross with them but he only smiled and gave out a loud chuckle.

“Ho, ho, ho!”, he said in a booming voice, “So now you’ve seen where I live, how would you like me to take you home in my flying sleigh”

“Oh yes, please Santa”, they all said, getting up from the teddy bear Sofa and rushing to hug him.

And then he took them all flying, far across the world in his magical red and golden sleigh pulled by a herd of flying reindeer and they all saw the different countries of the world far below them and all seemed to be covered in snow and when they came to the oceans and seas, Santa Clause turned his sleigh into a bright red boat and the reindeers ran upon the surface of the waves, then eventually, their house came in sight and, landing upon its roof, they and Santa all slid down the chimney; Jemima and her sisters shouting, “Wheee!”.

And, last of all, Santa saw that they were all tucked safely back in bed and, as they drifted off into a happy slumber, they heard the jingle of sleigh bells as Santa flew off into the night with his familiar booming cry of, Ho, ho, ho!”.