I have read so many stories about Santa Clause . How he come in the night and give gifts to little children and share moments of joy with them . I loved and fantasised in my childhood that I as a child I deserve to get a gift from the Santa Clause .
It was a Christmas day . Then I was a child . It was a holiday . In the day time we all friends celebrated Christmas and prayed lord Jesus . My Grandfather arranged cake . We cut the big ,delicious, creamy cake . And had fun . As my grand father respected all religions equally he celebrated Christmas too. I love my grandfather for that till today . Next we played music chair . The winner got a big bundle of coloured balloons . We were all happy . My mother cooked special dishes that day . The small party ended happily. In the evening my grandfather sat before the fire to tell us stories of Lord Jesus . How he struggled to spread the message of truth and love . How he suffered ultimate pain and remain silent . Lord Jesus even was crucified by his enemies but didn’t uttered a single word in protest . He forgave his enemies and prayed the God to show them the right path. We all were listening to the story without a blink . When the night fell all the friends returned to their houses . But I was still waiting for the Santa Clause to come and gift me something . I sat there outside my home and waited desperately . My grandfather came and said “ Why you are waiting here? When Santa Clause will come he will woke you up from bed .”
“Really ! But if he don’t come ? I will seat here and wait till morning . I am a child and he also have to give me gifts .” I said with a sad face.
“ Dear , he might gift you next year.” My grandpa said smiling .
“ This means I don’t deserve the gift ? God don’t love me?” I complained
My grand father stood up and walked away silently . A waited there for the Santa Clause to come . After sometime to my utter astonishment I saw the Santa Clause coming towards me . I stood up and said murmured “ S—A—N--- T—A”
The same red dress , red cap , big fat belly every single description my grandfather gave me about the Santa Clause resembled the person standing before me.
“ Hello dear , how are you?” Santa Clause asked .
“I am fine , You brought gifts for me, no?” I asked hurriedly.
“ Yes dear .” He said
“Then give me that quickly . I will show that to everybody.” I said
The Santa Clause put his hand on his bag and asked me to stretch my hands . I stretched my hand and tried to peep into his bag for my gift . He had something in his closed fist . He took my hand pretended to give me something and closed my fist by his hands . When I opened my hand there was nothing . I got angry .
“ Are you playing games with me?” I asked .
“No dear I have given you something that I have never gave anyone .” He said
“ And what was that.” I was trembling with anger.
“ The gift of giving gifts.” He said coolly.
“ What What?” I couldn’t understood his words .
“ Dear you have got everything in life . A family that loves you so much , food to eat , cloth to wear and shelter. But dear there are so many children in this world who are living the life of beggars . The are orphans , no one is there to care for them . They sleep with empty stomach. They live with humiliation . Gift them some from your share of love, food and care . And be a Santa Clause like me.” He said and walked away silently .
I stood there dumbfounded . Slowly I understood what he wanted to say . Years after I came to know that the Santa Clause who gave me such a wonderful gift was none other than my own grandfather.