SYBIL'S STORY BOOK CORNER: An Irish Tradition...

Oh, Children!!...so many of you have said, "Please Mummie! Don't stop telling us stories of your Christmases from around the world!".... and I have said, "OKAY!".... Here's a charming tradition from Ireland where some of Mummie's funny relatives come from. On Christmas Eve at about 2 in the morning, children wait up to hear the sound of jingling bells and a knock on the door. Sometimes, it's a very loud knock, even pounding...and then some mumbling, or yelling...or yelling and singing. Or someone jingling bells... or keys, and yelling a song in a very grumpy voice. And maybe breaking things out on the front porch! When it finally stops, children peek out the window to see St. Nicholas, often accompanied by his friend Old Sooty McAshburn sleeping!! ... or at least lying quietly face down!! They've brought toys and sometimes candies or even funny drinks for all the good children to have. And when the children are sure that St. Nick and Sooty won't wake up, they tip toe carefully outside and quietly get the treats and dash quickly back inside and bolt the door. Of course, many older children don't believe in St. Nick or Sooty. They claim that it's just Daddy and a nice neighbor man dressed up having fun... and that when they fall down they have to "sleep off" their fun. What do YOU think, Children??

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