Santa Bamboozled!

Pa was a little suspicious when twas said, "Santa Claus is comin' to town." The jolly gumper ain't got time for such shenanigans what with Christmas just round the corner and all his Christmas business to be gettin' ready! But we thought maybe the elves had 'er all pulled together at the Pole so the big fella could do some pre-hollerday reconnaissance on our town's littlins.

Well, sure nuff, Mister Kringle came a pulled down the street, but it all looked a little fishy. The reindeers looked like hosses and Santa hisself weren't even drivin' his own sleigh...er, wagon! Pa took a start when he got a close look and thought he was actually Uncle Jed in fancy pj's. Nearly the spittin' image of his kin except that the man was missing a mole on his nose and wasn't cross-eyed.

Santa slid off his hay bale and pulled out stockin's stuffed with sweets and the littlin's lined up to receive 'em. That's when we all noticed the Yule Elf wasn't all that pudged up like he was sposed to be. A skinny Father Christmas? Pa sidled up alongside the faker and slid him a package of oreos...double stuffed and told him he needed to eat up iffin he was to play the part correct and all.

Finally Kiki plopped on the imitator's knee and gazed with mazement at the currlly beard and pijama hat...and she grinned with belief. That's when Pa finally let go of his suspicions and realized that it were true. After all, littlins know best when it comes to Clauses and Kiki said he was the real deal! And so Pa states his apologies and hopes he don't get coal in his sock this year.