This is the story of Santa s Enchanted Mailbox

Transcription

1

2 Christmas in New England has always been magical, but in the charming little town of Wallingford, Connecticut, one winter turned magic into enchantment for one brother and sister. This is the story of Santa s Enchanted Mailbox

3 On their last day of school before the winter holiday break, James and his little sister Molly stood in the bus line, thinking of hot cocoa and a warm fire. The temperature had dropped, but for the perfect afternoon, they would need SNOW! yelled Tommy from down the hall as he looked out the window. With excitement in the air, the children shuffled to the busses to begin their journey home. As the bus slowly climbed its way up the steep hill to their house at the top of Cherry Lane, James and Molly were filled with joy, knowing Santa would be coming in just two days. All that was left for them to do was finish their letters to Santa!

4 As James and Molly arrived home, they rushed inside, greeted their Mom and Dad with a big hug, sat down, and began to write. All that James dreamed of this year was to ask Santa for a new sled. Molly loved to paint, and she asked Santa for an art set. They finished their letters, and the next stop was the post office. It s snowing pretty hard, kiddos, Mom said. If we try to get to the post office now, we wouldn t make it back up the hill. But Mom, James whined. We have to go. If we don t send our letters to Santa, how will he know what we want for Christmas? Maybe we can try tomorrow morning, said Mom. The roads are just not safe today.

5 The next morning, on Christmas Eve, James and Molly ran to the window. Their town was covered in snow, and there was no way Mom and Dad could drive them to the post office. James and Molly were very upset about not sending their letters to Santa. However, whenever they felt sad, they knew they could always go next door to Grandpa s house to cheer up. He was such a good listener. Grandpa can fix anything, Molly said. Maybe he can help us deliver our letters to Santa. James smiled hopefully as he slipped on his mittens, and the pair headed out into the snow.

6 James and Molly found Grandpa in the garage, fiddling with the snow plow on the front of his big tractor. Hi there, kids! It s almost Christmas, Grandpa said with a smile. But why do you both seem so sad? he asked. Grandpa listened as James and Molly told him all about their letters to Santa... and the snow... and the closed roads!

7 And so, we thought maybe you could help us get our letters to the North Pole, Grandpa, Molly finished. Ah...the North Pole, Grandpa repeated. It so happens that I might have just the thing. Grandpa grabbed his saw, a tub of glue, and some wood pieces. He made quick work of building a small mailbox and stepped back to admire it.

8 How s that? Grandpa asked. It s...just a wood box, James said. That can t send our letters to Santa. Well, to reach Santa, you simply have to believe, said Grandpa. With a bit of faith, this mailbox will deliver your letters right to the North Pole...It just needs one final touch.

9 Grandpa walked over to his special shelf where he kept a photo of Grandma and a few items from his old house. Grandpa had kept his old mailbox that he built as a reminder of what he had made with faith and love. Grandpa fastened the old mailbox flag to the outside of the new mailbox and said, There. Now the box has hope. All it needs now is a bit of...enchantment. Grandpa said if the kids believed in the magic of Santa and opened their hearts to the enchantment of Christmas, the flag could help send their letters to the North Pole right from this mailbox. We will call this Santa s Enchanted Mailbox, said Grandpa.

10 James slowly walked forward, put in his letter, and closed the mailbox. Now, said Grandpa, I want you to think of all of the things in your life that you are already thankful for. Then, as you raise the flag and ask Santa for what you would like this year, you have to really believe Santa will feel your thankfulness and love when he receives your letter. James closed his eyes tight and thought about how thankful he was for the things he had. Then, with a grateful heart, he pictured the new sled he wanted for Christmas and all the fun times he would have with it. When his heart felt the fullest, he raised the flag and slowly opened the mailbox door. My letter is gone, Grandpa! It disappeared! said James. It didn t just disappear, James; it s on its way to Santa at the North Pole! Grandpa shouted! It s your turn, Molly.

11 Molly raised a shaky hand to the mailbox and opened it up. With a full heart and thankful thoughts for all she had, she pictured herself drawing with her new art set, painting a picture of a beautiful horse. She placed her letter in the mailbox, closed the door, and raised the flag. Molly slowly opened the mailbox door. It s gone, it s really gone! smiled Molly. Santa has our letters, James. Santa s Enchanted Mailbox really works!

12 After thanking Grandpa and giving him extra hugs, James and Molly headed back home through the snow. There you are, said Mom as she checked on dinner cooking in the oven. Did your trip to Grandpa s cheer you up? It sure did, Molly said with a smile, and James nodded in agreement. That night, after their stockings were hung and cookies were left for Santa, James and Molly curled up on the couch with their bedtime hot chocolate. Everyone should have an enchanted mailbox, James said to Molly. A what? Mom said. Oh, nothing, Molly said, smiling at her brother. They went to bed feeling comfort that their letters were magically delivered to Santa and couldn t wait for Christmas Day.

13 As they sat with their family on Christmas morning, gathered around the tree, James and Molly squeezed Grandpa extra tight to thank him for getting their letters to Santa, grateful for his tools, his quick thinking, and his love. James couldn't wait to ride his new sled, and Molly loved her art set... They were so happy that Santa received their letters, and considering how well they behaved all year, Santa brought them just what they wanted. And that is the story of Santa s Enchanted Mailbox. For James and Molly, Santa s Enchanted Mailbox had changed their Christmases forever because of hope, faith, love, and most importantly... belief. The End

14 A letter from the North Pole Dear children around the world: Santa and his elves can t wait to see your letters, lists, and drawings magically sent to the North Pole with Santa s Enchanted Mailbox! Don t be shy; Santa loves to hear from you! Write as often as you d like throughout the holiday season.