To All: I spent Christmas writing a poem for everyone! SANTA HAD THE FLU By G. Lee Hearl 'Twas the day before Christmas, up at the North Pole The cold wind was blowing, there was new fallen snow The Elves were working, loading the sled But Santa was sick and had taken to bed.. He said, "Oh My, what am I gonna do, It's Christmas eve and I've got the flu!" He called to his wife, "I hate to tell you Dear, But you'll have to deliver the toys this year " She put on her mittens, her boots and her hat Stuffed a pillow in her coat to make her look fat She looked at the sleigh with toys pile high Said, "It'll take a miracle to get that thing to fly!" She climbed up the ladder and into the seat Said, "I've never flown a sleigh, but I'll bet it's neat!" Then she called on the reindeer and hollerd "Ho! Ho!" But pull as they might, the sleigh wouldn't go! She called out the Elves and they pushed very hard Then the sleigh began moving across the big yard Then the all of the reindeer sprang from the ground Mrs Claus shut her eyes, she couldn't look down! Up and over the North Pole they flew Mrs Claus was scared, she didn't know what to do! She was hollering Hee! Hee! instead of Ho! Ho! The reindeer didn't know which way to go! Then she rememberd, she didn't know who got what She said, "They'll have to take what I leave them, Like it or Not! The Elves were singing and working real hard Throwing toys down the chimmneys and out in the yards When daylight came, all the toys were gone The reindeer turned north and headed for home So, if there was a Christmas, your gift didn't suit you Don't blame ole' Santa, cause He Had The Flu!! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Eggie Easter!! G. Lee Hearl Authentic Appalachian Storyteller Abingdon, Va..