From Milly

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 piled 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!!