UP ON THE ROOF

 

Christmas is just around the corner, but little Rosy is angry with her mama and papa. It’s been more than eight months since she went somewhere out or played with her friends. Her parents want their dear one to be safe because it was the worst time of the pandemic.

It was the eve before Christmas. Little Rosy wanted to go with her papa to buy the Christmas tree and decorations. But her papa couldn’t take her with him. She got angry. Papa had asked her to wait for the celebration at night, but she went to bed early. She just wanted to see all the stars and light decorations out in the street. Her little heart ached and felt miserable. She thought, whenever she is sleepless her mother asks her to count sheep crossing fence. She counted one two three four…Then no sound.

After a while Rosy heard a bells in the distance coming closer real fast. All of a sudden she saw a red light beaming down into her window. It went right over her roof top. And later she heard some footsteps on the roof. She ran fast and somehow managed to crawl up the stairs in darkness. She came up and opened the door. It was a huge sleigh. She heard the sound of bells jingling on the harness. It was Rudolph! Santa’s favourite reindeer with shiny red nose, standing there with other reindeers. She was surprised and wondered where Santa had gone. Then she heard someone murmuring, ‘Oh it’s terrible. I am stuck. I wonder why these people make such small chimneys on roof tops! Or I think I had put on weight. Phew! I have to make a check on my diet.'

Rosy almost recovering from surprise exclaimed, ‘Mr. Santa!’ Santa saw her and said lovingly, ‘Oh dear why are you here in this late evening? You are supposed to make preparations for the Christmas tonight.' Rosy said, I heard the bells and came here. And I am not going to celebrate Christmas this year.' ‘Why?’ Santa asked. Then Rosy said all her story. Santa listened in embarrassment. The next question came from Rosy. ‘But, Santa why are you so early? And what are you doing here?’ Santa said, ‘Oh I was just checking the reins, before my midnight ride. It’s been I year since I took the sleigh out. It was Rudolph who reminded me to check the chimneys too. I was just trying to slip down the chimney. But I was stuck. Now see me full of this soot.' It was only then she noticed. ‘Yes’. Santa is standing there like a soot fairy. After thinking a while Santa said, ‘Alright dear, I am leaving. I have to change my dress. Now there is very less time. I have to take the gifts for tonight.' Saying this Santa jumped into the sleigh. Little Rosy’s face faded. Suddenly, Santa turned back and asked her, ‘Would you like a ride?’ Rosy couldn’t believe her ears. The next moment she is in the sleigh, seated next to Santa. With a shake of the bells Rudolph leaps right into the air, over the cloud tops following the star beams.

Rosy saw a shooting star moving very close to them. Santa then showed something in a distance. Some very beautiful collection of stars. It was The Orion, The Great Hunter. He took the sleigh through the constellation in a lightning speed. Rosy saw everything to her hearts content. She asked in excitement, ‘Where are we going?' Santa said, ‘We are going all the way to the north pole.' Soon they reached Santa’s palace. The big door opened and some Elves came out. They were waiting for the midnight ride. Santa quickly went inside to change his dress. Rosy jumped out of the sleigh and ran to the Elves to play with them. She had a real fun time there. Soon Santa came out with his big bag of gifts. They all rushed into the sleigh with Santa. Rudolf shook his harness and tapped his hooves and leapt into the air.

First they went to a big house. There Rosy saw a grant celebration inside. Children are enjoying with their parents. The Elves very soon slipped down the chimney and came back leaving the gifts for children. Next they went to a small hut. They didn’t see a grant arrangement there. But children are happily enjoying their Christmas there. Then they flew over the streets. There she could see all the light decorations. Santa then told her, ‘Rosy, did you see how happy children are celebrating with their parents? Did you see how rich and poor celebrate Christmas alike? Everyone celebrates Christmas.' Santa then showed her, ‘See very less people are there on the streets. All are celebrating at their home this year. You know, how dreadful the pandemic is?’ Rosy shook her head. She understood her mistake. Santa told her many more things. Meanwhile Little Rosy fell asleep.

Later Rosy woke up from her mama’s lap. Her mama said, ‘Rosy, it’s good that you had a nice nap.  Now you look fresh. I saw you sleeping in the bed in great pain. I took you on my lap. Then I saw you smiling many times. What was it dear? Did you see any dream?' Rosy smiled at her mama. She saw her papa had set a big Christmas tree for her and a lot of twinkling stars. She ran to her papa. Papa lifted her up in the air and turned around. She kissed her papa and said 'Happy Christmas.' She then helped her mama to hang fairy lights all over the tree. Rosy thought for a moment. ‘Oh! Santa had forgotten to present me gift.' But Rosy was happy. She had received the best of the gifts in that Christmas. She ran to her papa and mama to celebrate the Christmas. Then they heard a song from far.

‘WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR’