On a biting chilly December night a group of five children were fighting against all odds to ward off the menacing cold that rendered streets lonely. Small pieces of timber and hay were occasionally chucked into a dodged bonfire turn by turn. James, Sultan, Kartar, Murli and Reena were sitting outside their shanties and were engrossed in their conversation.
Suddenly Kartar recalled something and blurted with an obvious hint of delight, “While I was selling balloons in the market, I noticed great rush and hustle in the streets. People were discussing about Christmas. A shopkeeper was telling his servants that Christmas was close by.”
“What is this Christmas?” Reena asked innocently.
Now it was James who answered, “Oh Christmas is a festival on the birth day of Lord Jesus. Santa Claus, an old man with white flowing beard distributes gifts to children that night” James looked towards Reena with gleaming eyes.
“But why should an old man distribute gifts without any reason?” asked Murli with a surprise.
“Because he loves children and makes them happy by giving them gifts. Do you that he comes from a far away land. Land of ice and snow. Dressed in red gown, he travels in a wooden carriage pulled by deer. His carriage is laden with uncountable gifts.”
“Ha…ha…ha…how can a deer pull a carriage? Only a horse can do that. You probably don’t know much about that” Kartar laughed.
“No…no…..I am absolutely correct. They are reindeers” James sounded irritated.
“But where does that Santa go? He does not seem to travel this side. Where does he distribute his gifts every year? No one has visited even a single time in all these years.” Sultaan looked at his tattered outfit ruefully.
Reena added her grief, “I think all his gifts seem to be exclusively reserved for affluent children. Or maybe he travels in well illuminated areas only.”
All the discussions were being heard by Mr. Sharma and his twelve year old son Amit who were sitting in white car nearby. They were waiting while a mechanic was working under the bonnet to repair some snag which had forced the car to stop abruptly.
Amit looked at his father who appeared perturbed by the innocent outbursts of these deprived children.
Reena broke out again, “I go out to work with my mother. I walk bare footed entire day in such chilly winter but I am yet to get a pair of slippers.”
Murli consoled her, “Don’t feel so dejected. Who knows Santa might change his plans this year and visit us this year for a change? And James has already told us that he only obliges children. Who knows you might get a fancy pair of slippers this Christmas?”
“Oh ho! Let me correct you. Santa demands elaborate arrangements only rich can afford. My father who is gardener at school told me that first Christmas tree needs to be decorated and then socks have to be kept outside doors. Santa keeps the gifts in those socks only” Billu shattered all faint hopes which Murli had tried to raise.
“Socks!!!” all shouted in unison and they looked at their thatched huts with tin roofs and bamboo net which could not be called as a door in real sense.
“Neither we have Christmas tree nor socks…we will never get any gifts” Akram threw a small bunch of hay into bonfire and shifted back.
Amit felt very sad and was moved to tears. Amit dropped his head but the moisture on his father’s trousers explained everything. He gently pulled him into his lap.
“I wish Santa comes to me. I will definitely ask for a new frock. Preferably a red one. This old one will not even mop a floor properly.”
“I sell balloons with wet feet. I need a pair of slippers to prevent sores” Kartar spoke with excitement.
Sultan licked his lips, “I have not tasted sweets in long time. Had some sewain during Eid and that too only a spoonful. I strongly want to eat some hot piping jalebis or gulab jamun”
James felt desperate as if he should get left behind, “I want to visit church on Christmas in white coat and new shoes. Those guards at the church gate do not allow me inside in these dirty, soiled clothes. Santa can possibly take me inside the church so that I can also enjoy the bright illumination and decoration at church. Who knows he can also manage some delicious Christmas cake as well?”
Murli who was listening to the conversation in rapt attention broke his silence, “I want Santa to gift me a bicycle so that I can help my father in distributing newspapers every morning. He has not been keeping a good health and has grown weak as well.”
“But we will not get all this since we do not have socks” Kartar spoke in a grave monotonous voice.
“So all that we need first is socks” Reena concluded.
“But we don’t have money to buy socks” Sultan expressed his concern.
Reena scanned the surroundings with some faint hope, “Santa might be listening to us in some dark corner. He will surely understand that we do not have money to buy the socks. We work hard throughout the day all-round the year. We help our mother and father. May be Santa will be generous to us this year.”
“Yes, he surely will be considerate. We will sit here again on Christmas. May be Santa can notice us” James supported Reena.
And the conversation dissipated as the fire died down.
Amit was wondering how small ordinary objects like clothes, slippers, bicycle can be so important for someone. He was crying. He always thought that video games, visit to water park or shopping in malls was meant to be a gift for him.
His father hugged and consoled him and then he whispered something in his ears which made him smile.
It was Christmas morning and Amit was quite happy. He spread out his bright red gown and a huge red bag on his bed. He then opened his cupboard which was stacked with number of things. He checked everything carefully once again.
When the darkness thickened and evening gave way to dark freezing night, Amit accompanied his father to the same spot where he had heard the conversation of five children few nights back.
Reena was restless, “I think it is quite late already. Santa must have finished his visit. As usual he must have spread the goodies among the rich and affluent families and we are waiting here in vain”
And then Amit alighted from his car and started moving slowly in the direction of those five children.
“Red robe, white beard ………it’s Santa for sure” James jumped with joy. He sprang up to his feet and others joined him. Murli was speechless and Kartar almost forgot what he had thought of asking.
All the children surrounded Amit. They were wondering what language will Santa use. Whether he still has some gifts for them? Where is his carriage? The questions were popping up in their mind, without a pause.
Reena asked, “Do you have gifts for us?”
“Yes…….one for everyone” Amit replied laughing.
“Here is your frock. And your slippers. Your white coat and shoes. Your cycle is kept in my carriage. Of course Sultan hot jalebis and gulab jamuns are here in this packet” Amit was distributing the gifts one after the other. All eyes were moist and the warmth of those tears had made the night enjoyable.
James was silently amazed. Amit went upto him and held him by his shoulders, “Come on get ready in this white coat and then all of us will go to church.”
Then Reena asked, “Who is driving the car……….your reindeer?”
Amit and his dad laughed at this innocent question.
Merry Christmas! His father said and turned the car towards the church.
Dr. Manjari Shukla
