Elf and Safety

Humphrey, the elf in charge of planning and logistics, was fuming.

No one had listened to his warnings to act sensibly within the guidelines and the inevitable happened.

His boss had guffawed when he understood what he was being asked to do.

"Ho, Ho, Ho. Whoever heard of Santa wearing a mask? The children like to tickle my beard."

The suggestion to delay the opening of the Grotto, as a precaution, having been rejected, the event went ahead to the delight of the pupils of the local primary school.

The little horrors stormed in shrieking, eager to get their hands to the small gifts that Santa was dishing out of a big sack.

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The conviction that everything had proceeded satisfactorily was shattered the following day when a telephone call was received with the information that one of the children who had participated in the previous day's jamboree had taken a rapid lateral flow test and proved positive for Covid - 19.

To the dismay of everyone, it meant that Father Xmas had to isolate for ten days and would not be able to deliver presents on Christmas night.

Humphrey was heard to murmur 'I told you so', but, being an efficient organiser, he convened an urgent meeting to discuss the situation.

It was a known fact that Santa Claus had many relatives throughout the world who could step in if required.
In Russia there was Ded Moroz; in the Basque country Oletzero; in Central Europe Christkind; in Iceland the Yule lads (thirteen of them); Sinterklaas in the Netherlands; Krampus in Germany and La Befana in Italy.

There were many others and the choice was difficult. Some could be discounted for political reasons, some because they lacked the necessary papers due to the Brexit factor and others who may want to deal only in their own territory.

The candidates were whittled down to two: Krampus and La Befana. 
As the former had a propensity to punish naughty children rather than dispense gifts, he was discarded right away and the latter was deemed suitable for the job.

It so happens that she didn't need any visa as she had dual nationality and had been accepted under the EU settlement scheme. 
The problem though was that not having a driving licence she was unable to use the sleigh and used a broomstick as a way of transport.

It was obvious that with such a slow vehicle she could not meet the Christmas deadline and the earliest date she could manage was the 6th of January.

So, children, I am afraid that due to the pandemic, you have to be patient and wait a bit longer for your presents, if you've been good, or a lump of coal if you haven't.

BTW, don't bother to put out any mince pies for her: she is trying to lose weight and no sherry either because she prefers grappa.

© Luigi Pagano 2021 

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