Beauty and the Beast [A modern day tale] - Chapter 164：Christmas Eve (160)

Christmas eve came and everyone gathered at Bella’s home. They were all staying the night.

Everyone was having a great time playing games and talking about a visit from santa claus.

Bella gathered all the kids around so she could read.

◇◇◇♡♡♡◇◇◇ A Visit from St. Nicholas

BY CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds;

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,

Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,

With a little old driver so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:

“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”

As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;

So up to the housetop the coursers they flew

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too—

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.

His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly

That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

◇◇◇♡♡♡◇◇◇

Just as Bella closed the book ” jingle jingle” bells could be heard then a “Ho Ho Ho.”

“Merry Christmas, I have on my list a few good boys and girls here.” he said.

“Me” they all yelled.

“Ok, every one set down. First I have a Trevor, You have been very good taking care of your family. I have a ten speed bike and this small gift just for you.” An Elf wheeled in a red bike. The gift contained a car model.

“Next is Bobby, You also have been a big help to your family. You get a ten speed too and this gift.” The Elf brought in a blue bike and the gift had a model airplane in it.

“Next is George Junior, you are a good helper to your Dad and grandpa. You get a ten speed bike and this gift.” The Elf brought a black bike in and his gift was a model train.

“Who is next on my list oh ya Samuel you like to help your mother. Do you want a bike too?”

Sam shook his head

The Elf brought a blue dirt bike out, “Guess this is for you. and this small gift too.” There was a set of connect blocks to build a car with.

“Now we have a girls name Kimberly, I have a small bike for you and this gift.” The Elf brought a pink bike out and in her gift was a princess doll.

“What is this name, I think I may have made a mistake this is a flower… Rose” he laughed.

“Me me that’s me” Rose said.

“Oh it says here you love to help with Babies so I have a small bike for you too and this gift.” The Elf brought her a purple bike and she also had a princess doll.

“Oliver is that you sitting there all good.” Olly shook he head.

“I have a trike for you and this gift.” The Elf wheeled over a red trike and his gift was an elephant.

“Maggie I give you this gift and a trike too.” Maggie opened the box and got a teddy bear and her trike was pink.

“I did not forget little Skyler sorry not a bike but he does get this.”Babs opened to find a teddy bear and a book of stories.

He then handed all the woman snowflake necklaces and earrings sets and the men got tie clips.

“Thank you Santa.” Everyone said as he and his Elf left.

Soon all the kids were put to bed. The rest of the gifts were for in the morning.