Names

Greetings from Santa's Friend!

One of the things about Santa that has always intrigued me is how he always seems to know everything about everyone. So I asked him how he did it. This is what he had to say:

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Let’s deal with the name situation first. Later on I might explain how I learn things about you that you would never dream of telling anyone, not even your closest friend.

Last time I checked there were about six billion ninety million people in the world. There is no way that anyone could remember every one of them and call them by name at a moments notice. That is, unless they use magic. That is what I do. I have my own brand of magic. If I don’t happen to remember your name when you come visit me it won’t be long before I do. I use a number of methods for accomplishing this. One little story illustrates an approach that is very useful with precocious youngsters.

Bobby, had developed doubts and decided that, no matter what, he was going to get the straight scoop. He was not going to be put off. He was insistent.

"Santa, what’s my name?" "I’ll bet you don’t know my name, Santa." "See! Santa can’t tell me my name."

My standard approach to a situation like this is to say, in a deliberate, almost threatening way, "Don’t ever doubt Santa!" Of course that doesn’t always work, but if the thought of what might result from continued questioning doesn’t dissuade the doubter there are other methods. For example this is how I handled little Bobby.

"You think I don’t know your name? Well I do, but I’m not going to tell you. No sir! I’m not going to tell. You can’t make me!! But do you know what? I can even spell it!! I’ll bet you can’t."

"I can too!"

I challenged him. "Prove it!"

Bobby said: "B-o-b-b-y!!"

As if surprised I said," That’s right!" and complimented him.

We continued our conversation but I didn’t use his name right away.

When I did, his reaction was immediate. "How did you know my name?"

In explaining this to you I want to make sure you do not misunderstand my motives. It is not that I am trying to fool a child just for the fun of it. That is the furthest thought from my mind. Instead I am trying to reinforce their belief in me. By so doing I hope that eventually they will come to believe what I believe --- that although it is fun to be on the receiving end, the pleasure that is yours as a result of being on the giving end is even greater.

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No matter what I do I can’t get Santa to stick to the fun stuff. There is always something serious behind it.

Maybe that’s good.

I’ll be in touch next month.

Santa's Friend

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