A Visit From St. Nicholas

Not a creature was stirring. I wondered…”¿Qué Pasa?” What is happening??

I was hanging the stockings with mucho cuidado. Hang them with mucho cuidado. (much care)

In hopes that old Santa would feel obligado.

To bring all the children, los buenos y los malos. ¿Bueno o Malo?

A nice batch of dulces y otros regalos. dulcesregalos

My hermanos/hermanas and I went to sleep in our camas.

Some in long underwear and some in pijamas. (pee-ya- muhs)

When out in the yard there arose such a grito.

That I jumped to my feet like a frightened cabrito.

I ran to the window and looked afuera.

And who in the mundo do you think ¿Quién era? St. Nick in a sleigh and a big sombrero.

Came dashing along like a little bombero.

And pulling his sleigh, and instead of venados… NO VENADOS (NO REINDEER)

Were ocho little burros approaching volados.

I watched as they came and this fat little hombre was shouting and calling pronombre: “Ay Pancho, Ay Pepe, Ay Cuca, Ay Beto, Ay Chato, Ay Chopo, Maruca Y Nieto!!”

Then standing erect, with his hands en su pecho.

He flew to the top of our very own techo.

With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea.

He struggled to squeeze down our old chimenea.

Then huffing and puffing, and un poquito cansado…

He picked up his bag that looked muy pesado.

He filled all the stockings with buenos regalos.

For none of the niños had been very malos.

Then chuckling aloud, seeming muy contento, he turned like a flash and was gone like el viento.

And I heard him exclaim, y es la verdad: “Merry Christmas a todos y FELIZ NAVIDAD!”