Returned To Sender

Jimmy's Mom got home from work to find her 6-year-old sitting on the doorstep, waiting for her, apparently holding back tears.

"Darling, what's the matter?" she asked, stooping to scoop him into her arms.

"The postman brought this," the child sniffled, holding out something he was clutching.

The mother recognised it at once. The bright pink envelope with liberal amounts of glitter on it. Jimmy's letter to Santa!

"Nanny helped me read this," the child remarked, pointing. "It says Return to Sender. I'm the sender so that means me. Oh, Mom, Santa didn't want my letter! It's still all glued up, he didn't even open it to see what I'd written!" The child couldn't hold back his tears any more.

"What's going on?" Nanny, wearing her blue apron and with her hands all a-flour, came rushing up. "Oh, you're back. Please talk to him, he won't listen to me."

In five minutes, Jimmy's face was washed and he was sitting at the table eating toast and cheese. He was still sniffling, but looked a lot better.

"Now, dear, Santa wants all letters from all children. He didn't send it back himself. The post office must've messed up."

"But Barney the postman is so nice. He wouldn't mess up," Jimmy said, with a mouth full of toast and cheese.

"Tell you what. Let's go to the post office tomorrow with this letter and ask Barney if it's still possible to get it to Santa before Christmas Eve."

Jimmy cheered up immediately. An outing to the post office! He could buy some stamps, too, and meet the doggie, Chow-Chow, who lived with his human right next to the PO.

So, bright and early, Mom and Son set off to walk to the post office. It was a clear, cool day and they walked briskly. Jimmy had the returned letter safely in his coat pocket.

"Hallo hallo hallo," came a voice, as they neared the PO. "It's young Jimmy, is it?"

Barney was about to mount his bicycle and set off on his rounds.

"Thank goodness we got you," Jimmy's Mom said. "You brought Jimmy's letter to Santa back, Returned to Sender. He wanted to ask about it."

Barney grinned and got off his bicycle. He leaned it against the wall and knelt down to look Jimmy in the eye.

"Now Jimmy boy," he said, very solemnly. "Tell me true, do you believe in Christmas, and in Santa?"

"Yes, but ..."

"No but. Do you believe? Do you believe Santa wants all children to write to him? Loud and clear now."

Jimmy took a deep breath. "YES, I believe," he yelled.

"Great," Barney said. "Now open that letter."

Jimmy, looking puzzled, opened it.

A different sheet of paper than the hone he had used emerged.

"But ..."

"No but!" Barney replied, straightening up and reaching for his bicycle.

Jimmy opened the sheet. His Mom knelt beside him to help him read it.

"Dear Jimmy,
You're great - you asked for stuff for your little sister because she can't write herself. Yes, we did read that you want some stuff too. Well, look under the tree on Christmas Day! Love from Santa and Mrs. Claus."

Jimmy's eyes glistened with happiness.

His Mom raised an eyebrow at Barney, who winked and handed her a small card from his pocket.

Mom and Son returned home in triumph, Jimmy skipping along and singing Jingle Bells all the way.

At home, his Mom read the little card
Post Office Initiative for Belief in Santa
Returned letters which are actually letters acknowledging the child's request.
Initial tryouts: Kids and parents whom the postman knows well.
Thank you for being a great parent! Happy Holiday Season!

Jimmy's Mom grineed. Santa had acknowledged Jimmy, and the post office had acknowledged her as a great parent. That's what Christmas is all about, isn't it?