Amid a cold winter morning and a chilly breeze which dared you to step out of your comfort zone (read cozy quilts over heavy blankets), Santa descended from the heavens carrying his usual bagful - inconspicuously exciting for eager kids who would fret all year for the last December week. He was happy. And content - being out of job for a while, it had been decades since his last visit.
And how delighted they'd all be. He grinned thinking it over. And it gave way to something sullen which made him contemplate for a while, forgetting for a moment where he had arrived. I wonder if they'd recognize me.
His fears rose. Was he needed? The kids he had met during his previous yearly visits were probably in their fiftees by now. And their kids - would they know who Santa is? He was well-aware of technology implications that had found their way into affecting children's lives drastically - the gadgets and other things he couldn't really afford.
He imagined himself clambering down a chimney, scaring a kid into piercing cries. How would he pacify him:
Offering candy bars? No - That would be lame.
Little cars, trains, helocopters, airplanes, maybe? But all that had become stale.
He had given up already. He should've thought about it earlier, than coming back.
He observed the deserted road, houses on either side. The world had changed. No one would miss him - December 25 or no.
He started back. And then he saw this fragile little kid staring at him from the pavement. He was lying down on it and covered with a tattered, ragged old blanket
Santa looked at him, and smiled. The kid smiled back, and his eyes caught attention of the huge bag Santa carried on his shoulder.
'Are you Santa?' the kid spoke, scratching the scalp of his dishevelled hair.
'Well, of course I am!' Santa beamed at the kid, forgetting all about his dilemma. 'Do you want some gifts?'
The kid got up and nodded his head, his eyes fixed on Santa's shoulder and following its movement.
Santa kneeled down on the pavement, unfastening the cord.
I ain't forgotten. The world's still a lovely place to be
