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Boys and Girls I would like to read you one of my favorite stories of all time. I wanted to give you some information that will help you understand this poem.
Sugar Plums are an old-fashioned sweet that parents use too make children for Christmas. Because the houses were a bit colder back when this was written people actually wore warm clothes to bed including caps. People actually had closing boards on their windows so when it was hot they could open them to let in the cool air. There was no air conditioning when this poem was written. Well, and the down of a thistle? Have you ever blown a dandelion into the wind and watched it float away? Enough explanation. let me read to you.
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that I would soon be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of [pause x-weak] sugar plums danced in their heads. And Mom in her 'kerchief, and Dad in his cap, had just settled down for a long winter's nap. When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, dad sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window Dad flew like a flash, tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, gave the luster of mid-day to objects below; When, what to dad's wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer. With a little old driver, so lively and quick, Dad knew in a moment it must be me! Saint Nick.
More rapid than eagles my reindeer they came, and I whistled, and shouted, and called them by name: "Now Dasher now Dancer now Prancer and Vixen, "On Comet on Cupid on Dunder and Blixem;" To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! "Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!" As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky; So up to the house-top the reindeer they flew, with the sleigh full of Toys, and also me too: And then in a twinkling, dad heard on the roof, the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As dad drew in his head and was turning around, down the chimney I came in a single bound: I was dressed all in fur, from my head to my foot, and my clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys was flung on my back, and I looked like a peddler just opening my pack: My eyes - how they twinkled! my dimples how merry, my cheeks were like roses, my nose like a cherry. My droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard of my chin was as white as the snow; I had a broad face, and a little round belly, that shook when I laughed, like a bowl full of jelly; I was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and dad laughed when he saw me in spite of himself; A wink of my eye and a twist of my head soon told dad he had nothing to dread.
I spoke not a word, but went straight to my work, and filled all the stockings; then I turned with a jerk, I laid my finger aside of my nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney I rose. I sprung to My sleigh, to my team gave a whistle, and away they all flew, like the down of a thistle: But dad heard me exclaim, when he drove out of sight. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Merry Christmas to all and to you a good night.
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