HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1975-12-24, Page 16save you heard of the village
way up at the pole
Where the folk who live there are
ever so droll?
There are gnomes and pixies of
every source,
And creatures most charming
like Rudolph, of course!
Santa Claus is the leader 'cause
he is the mayor.,.
He's the one who insists that the
town is run fair.
Next door to his mansion in a
house that is snug
Is the home of the Polars', which
in snow has been dug.
It's the coziest lair that you've
ever seen,
And Mama Bear's busy just
keeping it clean.
The ice chandeliers are shone 'til
they glitter.
The floors are swept bright .
not one bit of litter.
Papa Polar's a bear who is
famous for fishin'
He can whack out a dozen with
one mighty swishin'.
(He supplies the whole village
with the fish that they wish . . .
It's lucky they have him 'cause
it's their favorite dish.)
With them lives wee Bertie, their
four-year old cub . .
He's as round and as fat as a
white butter tub.
Bertie's happy, well mannered
and not one bit saucy.
When playing with others he
never is bossy.
The townfolk all love him and
laugh out with glee
When they see him learning to
skate or to ski!
But on a certain bright morning
Bertie felt sad;
He knew he was missing the fun
to be had.
Slipping out by the door when no
one was looking,
(His mother, by this time, the
supper was cooking.)
He scurried around, then he
climbed in the sleigh.
And he nosed down the blankets,
down out of way.
Well, what was his plan? Oh
surely you've guessed
He was going with Santa on the
Christmas Express
To lay on his feet and be his foot
warmer,
NOW, what do you think of our
little bear-charmer?
He'd heard Santa say no socks he
could don
Could keep his toes warm as the
night wore along.
In fact, it was something he found
hard to bear . . .
There were times when he nearly
gave up in despair.
A., last all was ready, the sleigh
was packed full.
Then Santa hopped in, to the reins
gave a pull,
The deer all stretched forward,
Rudolph up in the lead
And in no time at all they were
picking up speed.
"Bye-bye, Santa, darling . . .
drive well," called his wife.
The elf band was playing the
drum and the fife,
The Polars and elves waved
him off in the night
Never dreaming that Bertie was
passing from sight.
"Why Bertie," cried Santa,
"what ever . how come?
What is it you're doing down
there looking glum?"
"Ke-ke-keeping your' feet warm,"
Bertie squeaked with a gulp,
"But after this ride I feel beat to a
pulp.
As a matter of fact, I'm getting
quite sick",
And he started to weep on the
boots of St. Nick.
"Oh my," exclaimed Santa,
"Come up out of there.
Come on up and get a few
lungsful of air.
You'll he alright in jig time; now,
dry up your tears
You're the best little bear I've
seen in my years!"
He hugged little Bertie who
forgot his sad fright
And the small fellow slept for the
rest of the flight.
"Santa will tell'us where else we
can look,
For we've got to find Bertie, by
. Hook or by Crook."
They all tumbled out and stood
sadly around
While the deer coasted silently
down to the ground.
But before Santa even got out of
the sleigh
They were each screeching up
such an holy affray
That he thundered, "Be quiet!
Now, what is the fuss?
What is this great trouble you
wish'lb discuss?"
"It's Bertie. He's gone!" they
started to scream,
The tears on their faces flowed
down in a stream.
"We've looked everywhere that
he might have hid .
But in spite of our efforts we can't
find that kid."
"Hold on, now," said Santa,
with his hand on Pop's
shoulder,
"Let's all go inside before we get
colder,
And talk this thing over and try to
decide
If it really is urgent to tan Ber-
tie's hide.
"You see,he was trying to do a
good deed,
And by warming my feet he did
more than succeed.
This night has been awful, I've
been nearly wacky . . .
But my toes have been warm,
thanks to Bertie, by Crackle!
"Now that he did wrong we have
to admit
But the rest of us are to blame,
too, quite a bit.
We made Bertie feel there was
nothing that he,
A little bear cub, could do to help
me.
"That was not kind and we must
remember
That the youngest can help 25th of
December!
Mr. Polar," spoke Santa, "surely
no drastic action
Is needed right now for this slight
. ah . . . infraction,"
Papa Bear, smiling broadly,
gave Bertie a squeeze,
Saying, "Son, if you've saved
Santa only one sneeze,
I'll be glad to forgive and forget
this small crime
If you promise there never will be
a next time!
You'd best tell your mama when
you get the urge
To do a good deed or go on a
splurge."
"Come on in and eat," Mama
called to the throng,
Who were dancing a jig and
bursting with song!
She served dishes of cod and
herring and kelp,
Mrs. Santa rushed in and started
to help
By passing out dozens of cookies
and cake
'Til tummies were full and
beginning to ache.
Then when everyone's thoughts
were turning to bed,
(For the day had been long and
they were most dead)
Someone whispered to Mama,
"Well, will you look there?
Look who's fallen asleep in the
big blue armchair!"
Santa was snoozing, his head on
his chest,
While a white furry ball curled up
on his vest,
Of course it was Bertie. Both
were tuckered right out.
They were glad to be home
without any doubt!
But now that he's bigger, Bertie's
often allowed
To travel with Santa and wave to
the crowd.
If you happen to see Santa on his
Christmas eve ride
With a polar bear snuggled up
close to his side,
Don't you be frightened . .. no
need for alarm .
It's only Bear Bertie keeping
Santa Claus warm!
You see t'was the day that is just
before Christmas
And this is the reason for Bertie's
moroseness:
Everybody, but him, was as busy
as bees
Getting things ready for all of
those trees
That were waiting in houses of
girls and of boys
For presents of candy, and
games, and toys.
triome elves were still painting
• (t'was no time to slouch!)
While others were starting to
pack Santa's pouch.
The pixies were giving the deer a
rub-down,
And others helped Claus have a
jolly scrub-down.
Mr. Polar's main task was to
polish the sleigh.
He scolded wee Bertie, "Son, out
of the way!"
Mrs. Santa was packing a dandy,
big lunch
Of fish cakes and coffee 'cause
she had a hunch
That even though Santa had a
snack here and there
The fish cakes would help him the
night to forbear.
Santa's red suit of plush Mama
Bear gave a brush ,
Everywhere Bertie went it was
Rush-rush, Rush-rush!
Every place that he wandered it
was "Bertie, get lost .
We've a job to get done at what
ever the cost."
There seemed not one thing that
Bertie could do,
And you can imagine he was
feeling most blue.
He stared out the window; then
he hit On a plan —
"I will help dear Santa, I will and
I can!"
For Bertie was still huddled down
on the floor.
His tummy felt strange as they
started to soar.
But, he was determined to be a
brave bear
And to keep Santa warm he'd put
up with the scare.
So he cuddled up tight to Santa's
big boot
Even though he felt caught on a
huge chute — the chute!
The night,,it i was stormy; thewind
blew so hard,
The sleigh nearly tipped in many
a yard.
The temperature dipped to away
below zero
But Santa kept on like a well-
seasoned hero.
He was late getting through that
blustery cold night,
His sleigh kept on freezing to
roofs . . what a plight.
The chimneys were slippery, he
nearly fell twice . .
A runner got broken which he had
to splice.
Although the rough driving kept
Santa engrossed
He still wondered why his feet felt
like toast,
"By Golly," he said, "other years
I'd be freezin'
Because of cold feet I'd surely be
sneezin'
He finally finished and headed for
home,
The reindeer were weary and
covered with foam.
The thoughts in their heads 'were
only of oats,
Of a snug, comfy barn and warm
blanket coats.
Poor Santa, exhausted, gave up a
deep sigh,
Then, down in the blankets he
heard a faint cry
He pushed down tire robe . — he
was more than amazed
When he saw that Bear with his
eyes slightly dazed.
25UT, what was the story back at
the Pole?
Had Bertie been missed? Why,
lord bless your soul ,
His mother, by this time, was
having a fit;
His father more worried than he
would admit,
The elves had been searching for
hours on end
But no sign could they find of
their fat, furry friend.
They'd looked in the cupboards
and under the beds . , .
They'd looked on the hills where
they played with their sleds,
They'd looked everywhere, but
Bertie was gone.
His mother was crying and
looked woe begone,
Just then, they heard sleigh bells
far off in the: night , .
"It's Santa," they bawled,
"Coming in from his flight,"
Xight then, under Santa's arm
poked a black nose.
Then came two bright eyes and a
smile like a rose.
"Is that Bertie? With Santa?, the
elves clustered about
Trying to touch him to clear up
their doubt.
"IT IS, it is Bertie . . Hip-hip-
hooray !"
And the yell could be heard two
miles away.
Mama Bear grabbed her baby
and gave him a kiss,
And a bear-hug that made
Bertie's breath go Ssssssss,
While Pappa stood by and tried to
look stern,
(Though he sure was relieved at
his son's safe return.)
He growled, "Now, my boy, you
need a' good spank ,
You've upset your mother with
this silly prank.
We've all been alarmed and half
sick with worry
So, it's off to the woodshed, and
you'd better hurry!"
Drawings by Paula Moir Robinson
Words by Gwyn Whilsmith
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