Melissa Karnaze
v_116
3rd Place Award



Virginia, as you know, every Christmas children all across the
globe make their wish lists for Santa Clause. Come Christmas Day,
some children get exactly what they asked for, and some children
do not. What you may not know is that there are even more
children who don't get anything for Christmas -- not because they
were bad all year long, but because Santa doesn't visit them. If
you can, try to imagine children your age living in a less
fortunate country, where they can barely get enough food to eat.
These children live in poverty each day, and no matter how much
they want shelter, food, water, or a family, the Santa who visits
you does not visit them.

The Santa you know is not how television shows, books, songs, and
movies describe him -- he is not a round, jolly fellow with a
long white beard and a reindeer sleigh. Santa is just a name for
something else. Like how Virginia is your name, but it does not
describe what you like, how you behave, or what you don't like.
Virginia is only a word to describe one part of who you are.

When you receive a gift under the Christmas tree, it came from
your family or someone who cares about you. If you don't believe
me, just ask your father on Christmas Day if he was responsible
for your gifts that are supposed to be from Santa. If he says no,
continue to ask him year after year, and eventually you will
discover the truth.

Now this does not mean that Santa the way you've imagined him all
along is wrong -- there is nothing wrong with telling stories
about a man who spreads holiday joy and wonder. But being
dishonest is wrong -- for instance, if your father tells you that
Santa brought you your toys instead of him.

It is possible for people or things we cannot see with our
physical eyes to exist. You see, we have certain limitations on
what we can experience as a taste, touch, smell, sound, or sight.
For example, some animals like sea gulls can see certain colors
that we cannot see -- not because they are better than us, but
because they have a visual system that enables them to perceive a
range of light waves unlike our range.

So it is possible that Santa Clause exists and we just cannot see
him, but even if he is as real as you and I, I am quite certain
he is not the person bringing you gifts. Keep asking your father
the same question, and he will soon enough admit to having
deceived you. And when you realize how over the years the people
whom you trusted encouraged a false sense of faith, remember that
they too were treated the same way when they were your age. The
difference between you and them is that you have the choice to be
honest with your loved ones, and maybe one day, your children.