How Santa Got Fat

How Santa Got Fat

"It happened just this way! It really did!"


A long time ago on Santa's first giving night,
He weighed ?'bout a hundred or so, not a difficult sight.

Chimneys he descended, each with great ease,
No squeezing or tugging, he did as he pleased.

Skinny Santa was also much loved by his reindeer.
Up and away throughout the world, at midnight his presence would appear.

One winter night, it was so cold even his breath froze.
He was thankful to Mrs. Claus for making such warm clothes.

But to dispel the cold, it did not quite do it.
Santa was cold from his red nose to where he did sit.

It wasn't enough for cotton or silk.
He needed something, perhaps like warm milk.

Getting colder, as Santa was giving through the night,
Cold, skinny Santa pushed on with all of his might.

But he knew if he quit now just to get himself warm,
Some child would be left without on Christmas morn.

Near the end of night with his jolly purpose of giving,
He landed on the rooftop where a poor family was living.

Seeing the sparseness of their home Santa had only one regret;
Finding a good job for the child's parents, lo, he could not get.

He needed to leave something so their hope would rise up,
So he pulled out of his magic bag a small golden cup.

Not worth much but enough to provide what they did need;
A caring chance by a stranger, without them having to plead.

It made Santa's heart warm all right but he needed to get going,
For other's waited to, hopeful of Santa's fine doing.

He turned to leave to go up the poor family's chimney,
On a small worn table, next to their sparse tree,

He saw cookies and milk with a note addressed to him.
It said, "These are for you, Santa" - his eyes started to dim.

When it finished with, "I love you" scrolled by the child,
Eyes started to tear - this note from a heart so mild.

Not wanting to disappoint, Santa ate the poor but sweet fare,
And decided never would he leave goodies from those who care.

When Santa departed and went on his way merry,
He thought often of the poor child's memory to carry.

Somewhere over a sleeping village town so quiet,
He realized he was warming - thanks to his new diet.

What Santa never knew (but maybe he did, you know)
That the golden cup inspired the poor family so.

They pulled themselves up by pulling together,
And found they could master anything the world may weather.

So happy was the child of this transformed family,
That he told all his friends, "What Santa did for me!"

Well, the entire world over, word traveled from child to child,
Because Santa loved them, with a heart wide & mild

And never asked for favors, but giving his love source,
What would be so wrong to leave him a Christmas course?

Cookies and milk and maybe even a small piece of cake,
He gives us so much and winter's cold can make one quake.

As children everywhere respond to love, each left jolly Nick
Cookies, milk, cakes and all sorts of treats from which he could pick,

He showed his thanks and left crumbs to prove he was there,
Not one loving plate of goodies did he dare spare.

The very next Christmas (and many more after that),
Skinny Santa kept warm - But also got fat!

A once-skinny Santa - Golly! Now how much does he weigh?
And all because of a special winter's night - that wonderful day.

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Copyright pending - 2004
US Copyright Office
Washington, D.C., USA
Created by (and courtesy of) James A. Eisweirth,
Alta Loma, CA.

Reprints in any way, shape or form for public use either for monetary or non-monetary gain is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of the author.