Santa Can Come Before Christmas

by Archana Kapoor Nagpal
(Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India)

"Santa Claus is anyone who loves another and seeks to make them happy; who gives himself by thought or word or deed in every gift that he bestows." Edwin Osgood Grover

It was last June and like always Hyderabad was very hot. I entered a grocery store to pick some vegetables, when a guy someone asked me, "Can you guide me to the milk counter?"

I responded, "Well, it is in the lower right corner."

Picking up my stuff, I finally came to the milk counter where I met the same guy struggling with milk packets. He had no basket or trolley and he was holding almost 10 packets of milk.

I asked, "Do you need a trolley or a basket?"

He sighed in relief and responded, "Sure."

I was surprised he was still picking more packets and after few minutes his trolley had 25 packets of milk.

I laughed and asked "Why so many packets? Leave some of others as well."

He smiled and said "These are for my street dogs. Today, I want to be a Santa for them."

I responded, "Well, it is still June and Christmas comes in December. So you are too early to be a Santa."

He turned at me and walked few steps, as if he wanted to say something but he left the counter without saying anything.

Fortunately, we met again at the bread counter.
I was infantile and commented, "So these big bread loaves are also for the street dogs, Mr Santa."

He smiled and said "Yes. These are also for the dogs and I love to be Mr. Santa in the month of June. As we all know Santa is a representation of surprises and unconditional love. Santa comes in December as we expect him around Christmas. But in real life there is Santa in each one of us that reflects through our personality at some point of time, irrespective of the month. Maybe when you offered help to me by arranging a trolley was a hidden Santa in you. When we offer food to a beggar or an umbrella to someone who is badly drenched in rain, we are being Santa there. In short, when you offer help to others or vice versa, just think that Santa has come all the way for you."

He left and I was happy that I had met him. It was right to understand that Santa can come before Christmas. Indeed, there is a hidden Santa in each one of us. We just need to recognize him by spreading happiness and unconditional love.