Letter to Santa is a short story that celebrates childlike innocence and the essense behind writing request letters to Santa Claus on the occassion of Christmas. Raunak, the only child of a recently financial loss faced couple, is unknown to the present economic conditions of the family, is highly excited for his letter to Santa for gifts just before Christmas. His parents, who used to fill his room with all sorts before, find themselves trapped in deep emotional agony born of incapability. While Raunak was pretending to sleep, he overhears his parents talking about the law suit and is struck with the harsh reality. Maturity creeps in him instantly and his temptation for his presents clashes with his love for his parents. What does he do? What does he write? The Story presents Raunak's emotional ordeal and his innocence in his mental struggle and thought process. Constant juxtapose and switch between the real and virtual world make you empathize his state.

1. A LETTER TO UNCLE SANTA
‐ ​Somil Gupta​ (8853488887,somiltgupta@gmail.com)
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It was a cold and a chilly night. Temperatures at Kanpur, the industrial city of Uttar Pradesh, had been
all­time low that winter. Uncle Smog had very sincerely served his duty of covering the city with a blinding,
white, irritant blanket of smoke and fog. He seemed quite obliged to the residents for having helped him in
this job. After all the city had a 'national ranking' at least in pollution.
Nevertheless the people in the city, unconcerned as they always are, were engrossed in decorating their
houses with bells, lights, red socks and that big artificial spruce tree, a fancy for the rich and a craving for the
poor. The churches, although few, were being adorned with beautiful flowers, statues, lights and stripped
clothes that were adding to its spiritual magnificence. After all who doesn't feel like worshipping God in a
lavishly built temple with adorations? A large crowd means large charity.
The city's renowned industrial giants had left no stones unturned to sponsor the occasion. Now whether
it was a sudden rise in faith or a deliberate attempt of flaunt, Jesus might have known better!
Amidst the glow of lights and celebrations that hovered the churches, old and emaciated beggars, with
a usual face of despair, were struggling to 'book' places outside the church gate. Tomorrow was a day of feast,
a golden opportunity, the holy birth of Lord Jesus, "Christmas". Who would still miss the opportunity of
begging amongst the crowd that at least once in many days, becomes compassionate to these poor beggars?
Being discarded from their families, the only meaning 'festivals' held for them was a day of profit and gross
business. This festival was to bring to them enough money to survive for the next month. India, after all, is
never short of festivity.
Oblivious to the ongoing celebrations throughout the city, the seven years old, bright faced, slightly
bulged like a teddy, Raunak, in his night suit, was busy writing something on a small piece of paper. Being a
boy of a sort who loves moving his legs more than his hands, it was surely a rare sight. His chair and table,
having longed for his presence, for what seemed sufficiently long time, now felt blessed, Surrounded by the
cries of joy outside, his room seemed to have been absorbed into complete silence.
For any of his friends, it would have been very difficult to decipher the unbelievable scenario or that
mystery writing, but for his parents, who were secretly eyeing and eavesdropping their only beloved son, it
was known undoubtedly what he was writing.
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"Maa, why do we celebrate Christmas? Who is Santa Claus? From where does he come? How does he
bring so many gifts for me every year?" ​asked a curious Raunak in the afternoon that day, after reading his
home­work diary before his mother. His teacher had instructed all to bring a hand­made mask of Santa Claus
for the celebrations tomorrow.
"Arey, control your curiosity Raunu! First feed the mice jumping inside your tummy, then your Maa
shall tell you about Santa Uncle." said Raunak's mother, while keeping bowls of ​sabzi and ​chapatti ​on the
floor beside the mat. Raunak could feel the warmth of the mat bathing in sunlight coming from the only
window in the small furniture­less, unpainted, plane, white­washed drawing room that seemed to illuminate
like a heavenly abode. The only adorations of the room were the two unpolished, shabby, teak­wood doors
opposite to the window, leading to tiny bathroom and bedroom, an exit door on the right and an open kitchen
with a stove and a few cupboards on the left. Although for the guests, the most popular excuse for this
negligence was the restriction imposed by the landlord for any renovations to their flat, the actual reason was
that they hardly had any money to renovate.
While Raunak was eating and the mother had gone to fetch him a glass of water, Raunak, reminded of
his mother's answer, questioned, ​"So is Santa our uncle, Ma?"
Mother returned with a glass in her hand and a stern look on her face. ​"No speaking while eating
Raunu! Bad manners Beta."
As mother kept the glass on the floor, Raunak's eyes were struck by a strong glare that forced them to
close. Bringing his fingers before his eyes, he slowly opened them to observe a thick, circular cross­sectioned,
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2. gold bangle in his mother's wrist, shining brilliantly in the sunlight, with traditional intricate designs of
flowers and leaves engraved on it.
Although it was very difficult to observe the glistening bangle, he knew about it very well. That pure
gold bangle was their family's treasure which his mother had inherited from her mother­in­law after her
marriage. His mother called it her prestige and had never removed it from herself, just like a proud person
who does not shed off his pride and arrogance.
Mother, sensing excitement and curiosity on Raunak's face, answered, ​"Santa is everyone's uncle. He
loves all kids and so tonight he comes all the way from North Pole to leave behind for you all, presents, while
you kids are fast asleep."
"So does he come to our house on foot?"
Mother gave a slight smile, impressed upon her by the innocence and foolishness of Raunak's question.
Childhood is very synonymous to foolishness. When a child, we too would have undertaken foolish actions or
would have talked with the least idea of distances, time and money.
‘I shall live in the parliament when I turn big.'
'You know, if I drink Bourn vita, I can take two rounds of India in a single day.'
But although a child's talk sans practicality, it incorporates innocence and a pure heart, which we as
adults, can never possess.
"Our old Uncle Santa, who wears bright red jacket and pants, with a huge white grandfather's beard
and a beautiful red cap, comes on his reindeer sleigh every pre­Christmas night."
"Ma, my teacher said Christmas is actually the birthday of Baby Jesus. Who is he? Doesn't Santa
bring gifts for him also?"
As a child, we have the privilege of even questioning the identity of God Himself. A child questions
everything that he is made to do. Mother, on the other hand, being a part of a God­fearing culture that blindly
pursues its baseless customs and ideologies, found it very difficult and sacrilegious to answer him.
"Jesus is God, Raunu! Just like we worship Lord Vishnu, some people worship Jesus."
"So that means Ma, Jesus is the other name of Lord Vishnu?" ​questioned a naive, unworldly Raunak.
Mother looked amazed at the unintended wisdom of the question. It felt as if the truth of the entire
world seemed to have been encompassed in this single question of this little, ignorant child. 'One God, One
Religion', a law which humans had failed to realize, had been understood by this trifle, innocent fellow. Then
feeling as if the conversation is turning theological and in appropriate for their age and minds, mother said, ​“I
won't answer your question until you have eaten everything.”
"Ma! Ma! At least tell me, has anyone seen Santa.....! “<​Interrupted >
"​Raunu....!​” a lady with stern, bulging eyes, whom Raunak could hardly recognize as his loving
mother, hummed out.
As she stood up, her bulged figure blocked the rays of the sun coming from the window. But there was
something in that moment which caught Raunak awe­struck. While the mother stood in the front of window,
the blocked rays seemed to be emerging from the sides of her body and illuminating the white­washed room
surrounding them, giving her a God ­ like luminescence in that 'Heavenly abode'.
Had there been an intellectual present to guide poor Raunak, he would surely have told him that God
himself has answered his question. 'Questions unanswered by humans are answered by God.' The rays of the
sun had brought with it His message­
"My son, Santa is before you. Just open your inner eyes to realize the truth."
There are several traditions prevalent in our society whose truths have been kept a mystery for ages.
These mysteries, being unrevealed, have triggered human imaginations to create characters that mask the
underlying reality. Doing this is inevitable for maintaining faith, whether it's in adults or children and
therefore these characters, though fictitious, have become essential parts of our society. All religions may
crumble if these truths are revealed.
After having his lunch, Raunak was lying on the bed, beside his mother. Disturbed by his own
curiosity, he could not stop himself from questioning, "​Mother, in case I want something from Santa, how can
I convey it to him?"
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3. Mother looked worried with Raunak's question. Not because of his endless doubts, but because of the
current financial conditions of their family. Home savings had almost come to an end. There wasn't enough
money even to buy rice, which had been absent from their meals for the past four days. The landlord was after
their lives, demanding house rent for the last two months. Raunak had also been shifted to a government
school only a few months ago, because of their inability to submit the fees at his previous expensive, private
school. Although the child had never shown any reluctance, his parents could not meet their eyes with his, out
of shame and disgrace. ​"Had ​‘it’ not happened, we wouldn't have faced such an embarrassing situation. Why
is God being so unruly?"​ But there were no answers except sobs and unheard cries.
Until last year, the boy's bed was adorned with extravagant gifts of all sorts and sizes every Christmas
night. From a giant Pooh teddy to a small blue whale eraser, and from expensive remote control car along with
beautifully decorated baskets of biscuits and chocolates, to dresses of various renowned brands, chips and
watch, all canopied his bed, almost making it invisible. As was obvious, the parents would wake him up with
excessive put up of awe and excitement. The boy's excitement too would know no bounds as he spent his
entire day arranging the gifts, along with his mother, in his large cupboards, already augmented with
accessories.
But times had changed and mother knew they could not expect Santa giving the same gifts once again.
Nevertheless, mother tried to regain herself and said­ ​"Yes! You can Beta. You just have to write a letter to
him with a list of what you want, and keep it in a red socks near the window. One of the Santa's messengers
shall carry it with him, and then Santa would bring you your desired gifts."
Raunak's face had suddenly gained charm and happiness. ​"So that means he can bring me anything?
All what I want?"
Mother, once again haunted by his unexpressed demands, tried to make him understand the situation.
"My Child!” she said, ​"You can demand anything, but remember to ask wisely. After gifting a number of kids,
he runs short of presents. So if you ask for too many, he might not be able to grant all that you wish."
Raunak, ignorant to his family's financial conditions, probably because his parents never revealed it to
him, asked­​"But Ma, until last year, Uncle Santa used to cover my bed with so many gifts, why not this time?"
Mother's face suddenly turned pale and lost its calm. Her heart felt like it was burning in anguish and
helplessness. Until now, she had somehow manoeuvred to control her melancholy. But this single unexpected
question of her dear son, had become a key to her lock of constraint, letting her emotions give themselves
away into fits of tears.
Raunak, totally oblivious to the reason of her mother's immediate reaction felt as if he has offended his
mother and seeing his mother's tears, he also started crying. Such is the tendency of a pure heart that knows
not the reason, yet cries on the sufferings of someone else.
As if awakened from her trance of sadness, the lady's motherly instincts overpowered her pain as she
saw her child crying. She could undergo all sufferings, pains and misfortunes but could not see her child sad.
Mother wiped Raunak's tears and said­​"There's nothing to cry beta...” sobs intruding her speech, ​"write
whatever you wish to. I am sure Santa will bring all that you want. Now like a good child, take a small nap
and then with a mind afresh, write your letter at night."
With this, mother began singing a melodious lullaby favourite to her son. The words probably had
some sort of enigma intact, so profound that within a minute, Raunak, who had kept his head on her stomach,
was fast asleep. His mind now occupied with dreams, that may, to mother' guess, be that of Christmas and his
wish. Although what was processing in her chaotic mind, she could hardly fathom. But her unconditional love
for her son made her resolve­
"No matter whatever happens, no matter what I have to sacrifice, I shall, for the happiness of my child,
do anything required. His wishes shall not go unfulfilled. Today's Christmas would be as it used to be all
these years"
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The echoes of that resolution taken in the afternoon still reverberated her mind as she silently stood
beside the bedroom's door, with her husband and a big packet, hidden in the darkness of the night. They stood
observing their child writing something on his letter. Occasionally, he would lift his head to think what to
write and each such action struck a hammer against her husband's throbbing heart.
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4. The present time was very unfortunate for the poor couple wed­locked nine years ago. Being discarded
from their families for going against their wishes and starting a life afresh, instilled no feelings of satisfaction
and pride in them. However, Raunak's birth had brought for them profound happiness and a cure to their
wounds of grief. With the child's birth, his father's days of struggle in setting upon a leather industry had come
to a happy end as his father's business had a drastic boom, escalating them from a lower­ middle class family,
to amongst the millionaire families of Kanpur, within months. This swift turn of fate and the state of bliss
rendered by Mother Fortune would not have been possible without God's miracle and His blessings. It was for
this reason, the couple considered their son as an angel from the Almighty and named him 'Raunak'­ ​the light​,
who had come to illumine their shadowed lives erstwhile. They would fulfil all his desires and bring him
everything he wanted. Even a slight sign of sadness on his face would create an unnecessary hue and cry
amongst his father's subordinates and servants.
But the ardent wheel of time never rotates with the same speed throughout. "If God, being the sole
driver of the car named fate, whose wheels being time, accelerates the speed of luck once, He is sure to
decelerate the vehicle sometime later." This is how He strikes balance between good and bad times.
Two years ago, the newly elected government after Lok Sabha elections, banned the export of leather
goods, without any prior notice­ a decision that had come down heavily upon the leather tycoons whose 95%
sale was dependent on foreign export of leather and its goods. Although the Leather Men's Association put up
numerous strikes, protests, notice and riots across the city, tried all tactics to influence the hierarchy
monetarily, the government remained adamant upon its rule for some unknown reason. Consequently, the
leather market suffered a serious setback.
For what seemed a grave blunder by Fate's pen, Raunak’s father had got a huge loan sanctioned just a
few weeks ago, to facilitate the intake of a new quality animal leather, which was in great demand in the
international market.
The law had affected his sales too, and owing to the lack of sales, production of goods at his factory
stopped, raising the issue of accumulation of leather at his factory. To make matters worse, the State Animal
Welfare Association filed a case against Raunak’s father for unnecessarily stockpiling animal flesh.
Meanwhile, Raunak's father, a man of high ideals, continued giving salary to his sub­ordinates from his
personal savings and company assets. Consequently, all his riches and monetary resources began to deplete.
Even though, he hired the best lawyer in the city to fight his case, the Sessions Court, after several
hearings, decided against his father and sealed his factory permanently, after thorough audit. Besides having
suffered mammothian losses, even the bank started running after their lives, forcing them to clear the loan as
soon as possible. His father, now in utter despair after having realised that the matters have gone out of hand,
decided to sell his mansion and lands to reimburse the debt on them.
The family was now literally reduced near to mendicancy. A year ago, with help of his friend, he
somehow managed to arrange a 'small' place on rent and were anyhow struggling to survive. His father, that
year, tried all hooks and crooks, to obtain a job. But, his poor academic qualifications could not grant him
more than a clerk's job in a small company.
Throughout this ordeal that the poor couple underwent, they did not let even a slightest reason of
worry or misery affect their child. Sensing his age to be too small to bear such grave misfortunes, they never
revealed to him their present miserable condition. Even while changing their house, they said,​" Beta we are
shifting to this new place, until our new house does not get renovated"​. They tried all ways of keeping their
child happy.
The child, on the other hand, being innocent, believed whole­heartedly in whatever his father told him.
Although farce, they maintained a smile on their faces and would discuss their problems and legal matters
only when Raunak was fast asleep.
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While writing his letter to Uncle Santa, Raunak's young innocent mind was experiencing a fierce
conflict of diverse thoughts never witnessed by his poor brain before. As he pondered over one, his second
thought would struggle its way and establish monopoly in his mind's thoughtful bazaar. Bewildered by the
commotion in his brain, he started recalling his past days, the days which he had spent at his grand mansion.
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5. How luxurious were they! He had all facilities, at his order's wait. There was nothing that he couldn't if he
desired.
And then almost instantly, something strange happened. Being so engrossed in his thoughts, the poor
fellow forgot the distinction between a hallucination and reality. As he moved his head to look around, he felt
himself surrounded by various gifts, similar to the ones he used to get on every Christmas Eve. There were
clothes, chocolates, cards, teddies and a watch. All that he liked and desired. After being away from them for
so long, his heart deeply yearned for them. He felt an irresistible nostalgia so profound, that his hand
involuntarily moved forward to have a touch of them, at least for once.
But as soon as his fingers reached out for one of the toys, as if like an interrupted dream, whatever was
visible, within a fraction of a second, vanished into nothingness. Not even a slight trace of any left behind.
This giant vanishing came as a great shock on his poor delicate heart.
''When dreams deceit, there's nothing left in the world to rely upon.'' Temptation had, like a wine,
intoxicated Raunak's mind to such an extent that the silly fellow had tears in his eyes for the loss of something
that never existed. He felt as if he was no longer in control of himself and that something more powerful was
possessing the reins of his dwindling mind.
"Santa can grant you anything you desire. Just write down whatever you wish, in this letter. Your
longing shall end. Your sadness shall suffice." ­ ​A faint unknown whisper echoed in Raunak's delicate ears.
Completely swayed by his emotions and insatiable temptation, he moved his hand towards the pencil
to portray his mind's imagination upon that wretched piece of paper. But as he did so, a thought that had been
tormenting him all this while surfaced, and he was, once again, back to that moment in the afternoon.
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After being lulled to sleep by his mother, Raunak found himself standing all alone in a vast expanse of
land, draped in pure white cover, of what he could perceive as snow. The horizon seemed to be hidden behind
huge glaciers whose gigantism made Raunak ponder over how large a cold­drink glass would be required to
add this 'ice­block'. Truly, children have an innate and unbelievable capacity of imagining weird things, which
we as adults can never even think of. Continuous snowfall and strong winds had rendered the place extremely
chilly and had reduced the vision.
Before Raunak could assess where he was in his dream­world, he heard a faint sound of tingling bells
and trotting footsteps from his back. On turning his head, he could see a faint, tiny, blurred sight of three
slender, brown­coloured animal figures with highly branched horns, hardly visible from that far a distance. As
they approached nearer, Raunak realized that these deer­like species were not alone. Someone was holding
their reins and was seated on a wooden chair­like skate. Poor vision only made the cap of the person to be
visible. It was bright red with a.....
All of a sudden, Raunak was reminded of his mother's words­
"​Our old Uncle Santa, who wears bright red jacket and pants [...] a beautiful red cap, comes on his reindeer
sleigh every pre­Christmas night. ​[...] he [Santa] comes all the way from North Pole to leave behind for you
all, presents [...]"
As if involuntarily, Raunak's occupied mind spurt out a call­​"Santa...Uncle is this you???" ​But as soon
as he said this, everything around him turned black and the reindeers disappeared. In that infinite darkness that
abounded his mind, he heard, out of nowhere, a concerned voice which he knew quite well whom it was of.
"What has happened, Ji? Why do you look so ill­at­ease​?” Asked the mother to Raunak's father who
had arrived just after Raunak slept. Having seen him sleeping, parents felt, it was the most appropriate time to
open their Pandora's Box.
"Radha, everything's lost. All ways blocked." ​said father, as he covered his face to prevent a sorry sight
that may display itself in form of man's tears. Raunak, who was now awakened and pretending to sleep, could
not understand what his father was indicating towards. He felt quite uncomfortable at the moment as he had
never seen his father being that emotionally extreme before.
Father continued, ​"The High Court has also decided against us. The stock of leather, that I had bought
using the loan, has been confiscated by the government. Now there's no way we can get our mansion back."
Although Raunak could hardly understand what his father was talking about, yet the last words of his speech
pierced him like a nail hammered into his heart. '​Lost our mansion forever?’ ​he thought, ​"But the house was
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6. being renovated, wasn't it? Then how come our old house cannot be recovered back?" While he was
confused, a sense of apprehension had already stationed itself in his mind.
Coincidently, as if answering to Raunak's question, father said, ​"How will our dear Raunu react when
he would come to know that the house, which he was told to be under renovation, has been sold? Wouldn't he
feel deceived when he shall realize that all his toys, clothes, guitar and all other accessories, so dear to him,
would never return back? How will we explain him that now he can no longer enjoy the luxuries of his
previous life, and that he is now destined to bear this grief­stricken and sad lifestyle, and will have to go to
that low class government school? O Radha! I have taken away from him all his happiness, his privileges, his
life and everything he deserved. I am his culprit. He shall have to suffer my misfortunes.” ​Saying this he
started crying uncontrollably and wrapped himself around the mother's waist. Mother, who had already
accomplished her share of weeping and cursing, was busy consoling her shattered husband. The sight seemed
to mock the gender stereotypic mind­set of the society, as it was very rare to see 'weaker lot’ trying to calm
the so called 'stronger lot'.
"No Ji! Our son is very strong and matured. He shall understand the situation. You are no culprit, you
just tried to hide the truth to keep your child happy. I know how much you love him." ​Although she had said
that her son would comprehend, she herself somehow doubted this, owing to the child attitude and age.
Meanwhile, Raunak, completely numbed by this incredulous revelation, found himself incapable of
processing so many facts at once. He felt his body stiffening and his eyes getting wet. The very thought of
having lost everything initiated shivers in his head, as if banged against a heavy door. Moreover, the cries of
his parents and the father's groans in particular, kept echoing in his mind, being louder and louder...louder...
"No....it can’t be....” ​Raunak screamed out madly, without opening his eyes. His shivers resonated to
his body, making him roll to and fro on his bed. Seeing their son rolling wildly, Raunak's father and mother,
forgetting all their pains and sorrow, rushed towards their child with concern having replaced the grief on their
faces. They tried to calm their child's actions by keeping their palms over his head and trying to sooth him
with their words, ​"What happened Beta?", "We are here with you. Don't worry!” ​thinking that he might have
seen a bad dream. The words and gestures seemed have acted as a balm, calming his tormented and agonizing
mind.
After administering to their son for some time, the parents, having assured that the child is asleep, left
the room, leaving Raunak behind into a deep and dark abyss of sadness and sufferings that he felt himself
falling into.
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Raunak, sitting on his chair with a pencil in his small hand, still shivering over the thought of that
dreadful moment, felt that same fit of agony overcoming him once again. But now his mind somehow felt
determined and resolute. Having pondered over all the events and the decision that a portion of his mind had
already taken, he felt emboldened and shielded to further tormenting. Without letting his mind divert any
further, he wrote his verdict upon his mind's conflict on that piece of paper and without reading it again, he
folded the paper, put it inside one of the red socks and kept it carefully near the window. Feeling contended
with his decision and hopeful of the outcome of his letter, the tired fellow moved lazily towards the bed and
within a few minutes, was fast asleep to complete the remnants of his incomplete dream.
All this while, his parents, who were waiting for him to complete, could not understand the manner in
which he was reacting while writing his letter. Mother, belonging to the class of moms, who can always find
out what their child is feeling, no matter how concealed it is, could very well perceive that her son is disturbed
by something. Though what it was, she had the least idea. Feeling an urge to investigate the reason for her
son's sorrow, she moved a bit forward. But then realizing the incongruity of her intended action for the present
moment, she stopped.
With great excitation, she looked at the white plastic bag in her hand. ​'Today my child shall not be
deprived of the happiness that he deserves. Today's Christmas shall be as it used to be before.' Her resolution
was accomplished. Her wish granted. The bag possessed her son's covets. ​His Christmas presents​. All that
he desired, all that he had been longing for this year. ​'How excited shall he be, when he finds his Santa Uncle,
having granted all that he had demanded in his letter. He wouldn't have been that happy this year. Thank you
Ma​, for your blessings. His ecstasy shall heal my wounds of grief and shall be a pardon to my guilt." Diverted
from her present state of happiness to a serious disposition, her eyes raised from the plastic bag, to her wrist,
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7. which seemed to have a patch of bright skin wrapped around like a band, with comparatively darker skin
surrounding it. Her thin wrist had never looked that odd ever before. The oddity suddenly gave way to a
recalling of a past moment, in the evening that very day.
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"Radha, how can you even think of that? Are you in your senses?” said Raunak's father, totally
shocked after hearing what his wife had decided. Her demeanour seemed adamant and her decision
irrevocable.
"​Whatever I am doing, it's for the happiness of our child. I do not want him to know the harsh truth. He
won't be able to bear it. He is still a child. If he does not receive Christmas presents as he used to get until last
year, he will ask questions, answers to which we would not be able to give." ​said the mother, before she began
to cry once again.
"But Radha, it's our family treasure. How can we put it to mortgage? And such is our condition that
we will not be able to repay the arrears back."
"Our child's happiness, his smile, his contentment is far greater a treasure for me that any gold bangle
in this world. Do you know! Ma, while giving me this bangle had said that she was entrusting me with the task
of safeguarding the honour, unity and most importantly, the happiness of the family. The legacy of this family
heritage [pointing to her bangle]​, lies not in the dearness of the material with which this bangle is made, but
in the promise that I made to my mother­in­law. By depriving Raunu of Christmas festivity just because we
cannot afford it, I shall be disrespecting and hurting her pious soul, residing peacefully in heaven. I know not
about the mortgage, if God wishes, he shall help us attain our treasure back." Tears, born of assertiveness and
helplessness, rolled down her reddish cheeks and landed upon her closed fists.
​It's often very difficult a task to calm a crying woman. No matter how much her man shows reluctance
to fulfil her wish, he ultimately has to accede to the requests of his wife. Raunak's father was no exception,
although in this case, he was somehow inclined towards the arguments put forth by her. The image of his dear
mother seemed standing before his eyes, with an air of hope and expectations on her face. Father,
undoubtedly, had to give his assent.
The couple immediately rushed out of their house, leaving their sleeping son, in the custody of their
trusted neighbours, to embark on a sacrificial mission, instigated by an unconditional love that their hearts
possessed for their dear Raunu, the light, the angel of God.
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"Radha!!” ​Raunak's father whispered slowly. Mother, who had previously been occupied by her
thoughts, came in touch with reality by her husband's call.
"What are you thinking? See, Raunak has written his letter and is now asleep. I think we must enter in
and complete our task. The clock is about to give the midnight call in a minute or so." And without
demanding any suggestions, he moved into the room slowly. Raunak's mother followed him after nodding.
The couple headed towards the table with soft steps and bent shoulders, gesturing each other to keep
quiet by keep their fingers on their lips. Had anyone seen them at that moment, they would have taken them
for burglars.
Meanwhile their son, now satisfied and contented for having written his wish on the letter, was once
again back to that interrupted dream, as if it had been on intermission. The sleigh was approaching him nearer
and nearer, although Santa was still not visible. Alongside, the parents were heading towards the table in
unison. It felt as if the two completely different events had been perfectly synchronized like two diametrically
incoherent wheels attached to the same axle. With every step that the couple advanced, Santa seemed moving
nearer to Raunak in his dream. Perhaps this was another of His tricks upon mankind to symbolize unrevealed
truths.
^ ^ ^ ^
As the reindeers reached a nearer point in Raunak's sight, he could see, in the blur of the snowfall,
huge, white, cascading beard covering a major part of an old, chubby, wrinkled man's chest, sitting in the
sleigh, clad in, what seemed, the purest form of red ever witnessed by Raunak. His giant red jacket and pants
seemed to protrude out owing to his large stomach and heavy thighs. The black, contrasting belt that wound
A Letter to Uncle Santa Author ‐ Somil Gupta Page 7

8. around his huge waist seemed like an equatorial line encircling the bulge of a huge globe. His cap, slightly
tapered, looked to end at a golden globule, whose lustre could unmistakably be perceived, despite the blur. His
teddy­like demeanour radiated warmth of love and cosiness in the cold and barren desert around.
^ ^ ^ ^
Meanwhile, in the real world, Raunak's parents quietly crossed his bed. Keeping a close eye on the
boy's slightest movements. His parents, literally kept crawling, with utmost care, to avoid any failure in
delivering a moment of surprise to their son. Finally they reached their destination. The red socks was seated
near the window, all alone and surrounded by, what could be perceived as, intellectual silence. The father
slowly picked up the socks and loosened the ribbon to take out the letter, which had been the centre of
attraction all this while. While taking the letter out, father thought, ​'He surely would have written down
everything. God knows why children are so fond of toys, chocolates and chips. What do they get from these
things? Nevertheless I just want to see his face when the surprise is revealed.'
Father, very carefully, unfolded the eight­fold letter with a look of a person who knows what is to
happen next. But as he read through his son's illegible and childish handwriting, with big bobble's head­like
letters carved on a small paper, he stood wonder­struck and rapt. He had planned to surprise Raunak with his
gifts, but he himself was taken by surprise.
^ ^ ^ ^
The reindeers, five in number, moved close to each other like a family tied together. In spite of their
master's load, they seemed unperturbed as they trod swiftly and gracefully towards Raunak, in perfect
synchronization with each other. The sleigh being only a few meters away, Santa was now perfectly visible.
There was a big smile that seemed to be pasted on his face and bursts of laughter that often exploded off his
mouth, moving his dense white moustache up and down. The laughter seemed to echo all over the place,
spreading joy everywhere. Surrounding Uncle Santa on the sleigh, were numerous baggage containing
beautifully wrapped gifts which Santa was carrying for distributing among his dear children.
Finally the reindeers stopped just in front of the boy. Being of the same height as the reindeers, Santa
was completely hidden now. But in a moment, Santa's giant figure emerged from the side of the reindeers,
moving towards the little boy. His eyes, surcease of compassion, seemed to have been stuck over Raunak. The
boy, on the other hand, having been completely mesmerized by the holy sight, for having seen the man whom
he was fantasizing all that day, stood rapt and felt blessed. He had no words to describe the moment.
Santa, with wet, ecstatic eyes, spoke in his high pitched voice, ​"Since ages, I have been fulfilling the
wishes of all the children on this earth. My gifts have been bringing smile to their faces. Toys, chocolates,
shirts, video games and accessories are all that the kids demand, for which I painstakingly move from this
Pole to their houses to deliver them gifts. But none has ever wished the things that you have... 'Son! You are
truly an angel of God’.” Saying this, Santa patted Raunak on his back out of love and appreciation. Raunak
experienced pride and happiness on his deed. A holy feeling rushed through his blood, as he bowed to Santa.
"A person who rises above all temptations and materialistic desires, who is affected by other's grief
and sufferings more that his, who keeps other's happiness and well­being over his own, deserves to be
called His son and possessor of a pure and pious heart"​, Santa discoursed in ardently determinant posture.
For the first time in his life, naive Raunak could comprehend the depth and the concealed truth in the
words, the revelation of which, instilled in his child­like heart a sense of maturity. Santa returned to the sleigh
and held the reins of the ignorant reindeers in his hand.
"Although the wishes you made can only be granted by your parents, may God Jesus bless you for the
concern you have shown for me, whom you called your uncle. Good Bye, son! May you be successful in your
life's journey. Merry Christmas, Raunak”​. The sleigh slid forward as Santa pulled the reins.
​^ ^ ^ ^
As the parents read the letter, they could not control the happiness and pride that they felt for their
beloved Raunu, who seemed to look grown up that very instant. The letter read as­
A Letter to Uncle Santa Author ‐ Somil Gupta Page 8

9. Dear Uncle Santa,
I wish my Ma and Papa to be happy. Give them all they want. Never let them be in pain. Give
all their pains to me. You have brought me enough gifts. I wish ' rest' for my tired uncle also.
With love,
Raunak.
The knolls of the holy bells in the nearby churches and the burst of fire crackers replaced the deafening
silence of the room. The clock had struck twelve. It was Christmas Eve. Merriness had been granted. Mother
and father kissed the forehead of their 'matured' son. The son had a faint smile on his face as he saw, in his
dreams, Uncle Santa riding away on his sleigh, singing the carol "​Jingle bells... Jingle bells...” The knolling
of the bells outside, could be perceived, delivering to the family and to us all, the Almighty's holy message
­"​My angel's letter strikes the essence of this festival. Parting with other's sufferings, in proportion to giving
happiness, is the ultimate rule of co­existence of humankind. Wish goodwill for the others and you shall get it
back. Learn this! Imbibe this!"
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