SNOW

It was nearly Christmas but nowhere was any snow to be found at the Ponderosa Ranch. For the youngest inhabitant of the ranch, the four year old Mitch Cartwright, was that a big disappointment. The boy was fond of the white stuff. His father Adam Cartwright though thought it was great that there was no snow. Especially because he couldn't get hit by his youngest brothers Hoss and Little Joe.

One morning Mitch was with his grandpa Ben Cartwright in Virginia City. The rancher noticed that his grandson was longing for the snow. But there had fallen no snow too.

“Grandpa, will there come snow anyway?”, asked the boy.

“I wouldn't dare to say it. We can only hope for it”, answered Ben.

“But if there falls no snow then Santa cannot come either with his sleigh”, Mitch remarked.

Now Ben knew nothing more to say back. He sighted deep and looked at his grandson.

“We have everything we must have so shall we go home?”, asked Ben.

Mitch nodded. He got put on the box where after Ben climbed on it too and grabbed the reins. Together they rode back to the ranch.

Christmas Eve.

Because there still had fallen no snow Mitch was afraid that Santa couldn't come. No matter how they talked, the boy wouldn't believe it.

Some time later when Mitch was sleeping suddenly a man in a red suit climbed through his window. Mitch woke up and saw the visitor standing by his bed. The dog Cody woke up too.

“I need your help. Just come along with me in my sleigh”, Santa spoke.

Mitch got up and Cody too. They went to stand next to Santa who wrapped a magic blanket around them so that they sat in the sleigh a moment later. Santa grabbed the reins and so they flew through the bright night.

“Santa, can you make some snow?”, Mitch asked at a certain moment.

“Of course. We go to the special clouds. When you hit at that it starts to snow”, Santa answered.

That happened and Santa hit at the clouds. All snow flakes came down and took care of a nice white blanket.

“I bring you home again as it is nearly morning”, Santa said.

Mitch nodded. They rode back to the big ranch house where too had fallen a lot of snow. By the air the two fell fast asleep so that Santa put them in the living room and left then very quietly.

Adam came downstairs and found his son sleeping on the settee. Cody too was fast asleep. The eldest Cartwright boy went to sit by Mitch and woke him up.

“I seem to remember that I réálly brought you to bed last night. What are you doing here then if I may ask?”, asked Adam.

“Cody and I have been along with Santa tonight and now there is snow everywhere. Santa came into my room and asked if I wanted to come along. Cody was also allowed to come ”, said Mitch.

Adam sighted deep and found it a strange story. He got up and looked outside. Everywhere at the yard lied the white stuff which the youngest Cartwright had waited for so long.

After breakfast all Cartwrights came outside to admire the snow. Through the bright winter sky was to be heard:

We wish you a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas, And a Happy New Year!

We wish you a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas, And a Happy New Year!

Good tidings to you, wherever you are;

Good tidings for Christmas, And a Happy New Year!

We wish you a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas, And a Happy New Year!

(Old English Carol)