3. Santa’s dilemma

Copyright: Pipina D. Elles

Artwork, editing, corrections: by the author: Pipina D. Elles   

*The stories under the title Symposiun of The Statuettes were written during the last three months of 2006.

The sporadic corrections took place, later during the year 2021

Originally in these stories, included the tale of “The PinK Pumpkin”, which has already published, in 2006.

The author P.D. Elles

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This year the number of the Elves working at Santa’s workshop had increased tremendously, because of the great number of letters that had arrived, from children from all over the world, requesting all sort of things and wishes!

          Santa is always generous to the children. He spends lots of time listening to their requests and he tries to respond as much as it is possible. Sometimes however, they request the most unimaginable things, from Santa.

          This year, the children’s requests and wishes had exceeded Santa’s limitations, as well as those of his great helpers, the elves. Everybody’s efforts to fulfil the children’s wishes skyrocketed. It was clear that the expectations of the children all over the world, from good Santa, had exceeded every imagination. Can you imagine their concerns, his and the Elves, about meeting all goals set for Christmas?

          Santa’s concerns increased additionally because of a letter, which arrived to the far Northern Country at Santa’s workshop, all the way from Australia. This particular letter was sent to ‘Holy Santa’ by a little girl named Anna, who had saddened the dearest man. 

          You see, Santa was working very hard all year around, giving instructions and supervising for the completion of the wishes of every young sender. This had left Santa with little time to enable him to follow and catch up, to say the list, with the international news. News? I hear you questioning…

          You probably think that Santa knows everything… The truth is that he knows many-many things but don’t forget that he is a very-very busy Santa, so much so, that he finds it very difficult at times to catch up with everything.

Anna a nine years old girl, lived in Sydney, somewhere at the far western suburbs.  In her letter, Anna had pleaded with Santa not only to help her understand some serious facts concerning international relations but also to assist her to understand if there is a way of improving them. Do I hear you asking me to explain what little girl Anna had written to Santa?  I’ll certainly do so because I understand your eagerness. In fact, my young friends, I will read to you the actual letter that Anna, had sent to Santa.

‘Dear Santa, can you please stop the Wars? Can you write to the powerful leaders to stop the wars which are hurting the people?

          Sydney, 13nth of March 2005

Dear Santa, I am good and I wish the same for you.

          Please know that many children, including myself, are not very happy, at this period of the time. We have more than one reason to feel this way.

          As the Christmas festivities approach, I wonder if I can ask for a favour, dear Santa. All I want from you is to read my letter and advise me. I consider your answer the greatest gift ever. However, because I don’t want to tire you, I will be as brief as I can.

          Dear Santa… would you please tell me:

          * Why do we keep ignoring the drought in country areas?  So many people lose their farms, their job and their happiness! My mother who used to grow a little vegetable patch in our back yard she does not do that anymore. We pay for our water dearly and we also have restrictions of use!

          * Why do people destroy the green of our earthly paradise and burn down our gorgeous trees?

          * Why do people continue killing the great mammals of the seas, such as the whales or great animals as the elephants? Is their ivory so more important than their lives?

          *Why do people ignore the health, hygiene, education and finally starvation, in less advanced countries, like in the continent of Africa?   

          *Should we, as the today’s Australians, continue to ignore the problems of our indigenous people? Why the aboriginals cannot liberate themselves grow free in this great country, which is the cradle of their existence? Why the new arrivals since captain Cook at this country are we so harsh against them?

          *Why people reject and look down at the victims, of various wars, invented and initiated by the powerful with the intention of profiteering? Is it not obvious that the response to these actions can only be violence and death?

          *Why don’t people care about the others, especially for the children, and circulate drugs, to increase their wealth?  How can the people involved, be comfortable with the death of so many youngsters?

          *Finally, dear Santa, I cannot understand, why my father had to fight at the War zone at the Middle East? These wars are not for our defence! They don’t contribute to our national defence. They take place at far-away countries.  Is their aim to control these countries and take advantage of their resources?

Dearest Santa, I cannot sleep peacefully anymore, because I worry for my dad; He does not participate in a war, necessary for Australia’s welfare, but he went to fight as a paid soldier. Is it normal for a soldier to kill or to be killed, in order to safeguard his family’s daily needs, in faraway countries?  How can I sleep tight, when I witness on T.V. war documentaries, regarding the agony of the children and their families being bombed? People suffer beyond imagination. I wish that my father and the rest of his fellow soldiers, could leave the horrible war environment, which only few of the World leaders, have invented! These wars remind me of another result, when one lifts the cover of a beehive!  What if the Middle Eastern ‘Bees’ can find a way to travel as far as our country, Australia, and try their sting upon us!

Dearest Santa… can you please stop the war? Is there any hope at all, to enable us to restrain the World’s powerful leaders, from inflicting pain to the people especially the young families and the wick or elderly at any war zone?   Is there any way at all   to enable us to cease the wars?

          Dear Santa, I have faith in your wisdom and your understanding of the children’s wishes. But most of all, I have faith to your love towards all the children of our wonderful planet Earth. And although my intention was not to sadden you, knowing your loving heart, I feel that I caused you grief.  Forgive me for doing so.

          I kiss your hand, with great respect and love. I know in my heart that I have done the right thing by writing to you!

Faithfully yours

Anna’

Santa, after having read Anna’s letter, left his office and sat on a step of the long staircase. He was concerned about the number of issues raised by a nine-year-old girl, named Anna, the number of her questions and her ‘whys’, her concern and sadness! All these were piled up in the young girl’s mind. For how long this child was tormented by the concerns she had brought to his attention? How could he possibly find answers to Anna’s questions?   He shook his head left – right and then left again, with great concern.

          The Elves having noticed Santa’s mood, started talking quietly among themselves. ‘What is wrong with Santa? How can we comfort him?’ one of them asked himself loudly. ‘We don’t really know what is bothering Santa!’ exclaimed Eric, the senior of the Elves. Santa’s ‘mates’ were occupied observing his mood, but he himself was unaware of the fact that everybody was worrying about him. It was quite unusual for Santa, especially at this time of the year, to appear worried about anything at all. As a matter of fact, everybody believed that Santa was a happy soul, no matter what!  

As Christmas was drawing closer and closer Santa’s Elves were working even harder, because they wanted for all the children of the World, to be happy.

          Eric, the senior of the Elves, finally suggested that they should talk to Santa, and find out why he was sad.  The Elves agreed with him and the next minute, some were sitting and others standing by the staircase around Santa.

          Santa seemed quite distant as he was driven away by his thoughts, so much so, that he didn’t even notice the Elves surrounding him, and watching him with sympathy. ‘Dear Santa, forgive us… Forgive our audacity to interrupt your valuable thoughts’ said Eric and Santa lifting his head he managed to smile at him. ‘Hm… Yes… dear Eric…  and the rest of you my friends, all of you, wonderful people!

Santa stopped for a moment and looked at them one by one.  He could read their concern in their eyes.  Then, he tried to smile again and continued: ‘As I was saying, I didn’t mean to be rude… forgive me…  How can I help you?’ He asked and the Elves were very surprised to hear this. ‘Had not Santa had any problems or thoughts that bothered him?’ 

          Again, Eric spoke using a low tone at his voice; ‘Dear Santa... you’ve been sitting here for hours! It is obvious that you are preoccupied… Something is bothering you! We can see it on your face… we can sense it on the way you’re holding your head between your hands. Dear Santa, since we are a family, your sadness is a concern to us! We like to know if something is wrong, and if it so, is there anything we can do to make you feel better?’ he asked.

          Santa looked at them, this time as if he was awaking up, after having a bad dream.  He looked again at each one of his everlasting friends. Even then, his face had not stopped glowing.  His smile was still there. He took a deep breath, and he handed a letter to Eric. ‘Dearest, can you please read this letter with a loud voice? I want each one of you to know the reason behind my present mood’, Santa said.

          Eric held the letter at a distance as to be able to read it. Snowing had stopped for a little. A star had drawn closer to assist him with its light.  Santa closed his eyes waiting for Eric to start reading. Eric started to read slowly. Everyone was listening very carefully. As the reading was progressing, the mood of the faces of the elves, was changing. One could notice that their sadness and concern were gradually growing. Eventually some of the Elves started crying.

          When Eric had finished reading, Santa took a deep breath and he said; ‘My friends, as you can see, Anna, although in a tender age she underlines well-known issues.  Obviously, she is very concerned about them. However, I have no answers to the questions of the young girl.  It is very embarrassing for me, because of what I represent to the children of the world. I find that as a friend of the World’s children, I cannot deliver what Anna asks. My expertise at this field is inadequate!’ Santa said with sadness, looking at the stars.  He seemed to be asking for help from above.  Poor, dear Santa!

That night was sweet in its serenity, but none of them could notice it. The snow had stopped for a while and the bright and shining stars, looked like glossy nails on the dome of the dark velvet sky. They were blinking as if they were trying to get Santa’s and his Elves, attention. It was in vain. Everyone who was sitting on the staircase of that home looked very sad. They couldn’t notice the beautiful night.  Anna, the young girl from the “Down-Under” Land, had sent Santa a letter, where she was pleading for his help. Wonderful Santa was facing an unusual challenge, and he was wondering how he should handle this ‘foreign’ to his eternal mission, matter, without disappointing Anna.

          ‘Anna… is seeking answers to the most difficult issues, which are everybody’s concern! How can I help?’ Santa wondered in despair.

          Poor dear Santa, he was truly in a very difficult position! He really ought to study the content of Anna’s letter, to be able to understand all the points indicated and write back to her his opinion about them. The least Santa had to do was to send Anna a letter as helpful as possible, regarding the issues she was concerned with.

          Everyone was silent. Anna’s questions were going around and around their head, but what about answers or solutions, to enable to help Santa’s dilemma? The Elves were absorbed by their own mission, which was to work towards the fulfilment of the children’s dreams. After all this happens once a year.  Surely that was the most important thing for them as it was at the centre of their existence, more – less!

          Suddenly as if a light had shown in Santa’s mind, his eyes became bright, and he stood up, as tall and magnificent as ever.

          ‘They say, children can change the world! Don’t they?’  Santa said in a jolly voice as he stood up, tall and handsome in his regal red robe. 

          Everyone got up as well and held their breath, waiting anxiously. Santa lifted his arms towards the stars.  It was true; a light had shone in his mind, and he had come up with brilliant thoughts regarding young Anna’s concerns. He spoke to his friends:

          ‘Yes, the saying about the children is true. Perhaps Anna herself would be able to help towards the solution of some of these issues announced in her letter.  ‘How could this be?’ one may ask.  The answer is this: Anna must start writing to politicians, along with other children, friends from her school, even farther than that, by making friends all over the world, asking the same questions as she has done in her letter to me. She must keep studying and highly educate herself, to be able to be involved peacefully, along with other young people of similar pursuits. This way she will enable herself at some point of life, to become an advocate representing the voices of others, regarding her concerns.  Then she will be able to present her own opinion, her ideas, or solutions in her country, and the World! I am certain about this. Therefor I will encourage Anna to become an advocate for peace, collaboration, and growth. Yes, I believe this is the safest way to resolve and ease Anna’s frustrations. This little girl, wonderful little Anna, is a real angel!’ Santa said.

          The Elves, after they had listened carefully to what Santa said, cheered and clapped enthusiastically.  They were certain that Santa was following the right path, as he always did. He would respond and comfort this special child of the World, Anna the young Australian. Santa had found the most precious present for Anna, a ‘holy advice’ indeed! 

Santa had made the decision to write her a long letter where he would encourage her to become an advocate referring similar issues, since she believed that they needed to be resolved for the benefit of all the people! And that is what Santa had written to the young Australian:  He promised Anna, that he will keep in touch with her, he will keep on writing to her, and he will be sending her lots of books, starting from that year and continue to do soon, the years ahead. Santa wrote to Anna that he was very keen to keep on advising her, to enable her to take the right path for her future success, regarding issues related to humanity.

          God sent children, as Anna, are a blessing to their family, their Country and to the Whole World. Children can try to help to stop or win a lot of the different wars, which tear people’s happiness!  Wars destroy the people of these nations. They hurt the environment, of our unique home, planet Earth! Peace and unity on earth, is what the children all over the world dream.  It is time for adults to take care of all these issues and remember that when they were children believed in the same dream! It is time to make it true!

The end