Winner under 18 category.

"Do You Believe in Santa?'' Daniel's mother put her foot on the brakes. The workmen were just finishing off putting up the Christmas lights on all the oleander trees on Front Street in Hamilton. They gleamed and glittered like the full moon on a winter's night.

"Mother, I do wonder what Santa Claus is doing right at this moment?'' Daniel mused.

"I don't know Daniel'' answered his mother, "I didn't know you believed in Father Christmas.'' "Oh yes mother, I have good reason to do so.'' Daniel chuckled as he remembered the events of last Christmas.

Shall I tell you all about it? Well, this story started when all Santa's elves went down with chicken pox, so they felt too ill to work and make all the toys in time for Christmas.

Of course, Santa was in despair! What on earth would he do? What would the children say if he didn't deliver their presents on Christmas Eve? A nearby cahow happened to be peeking into the tiny window, which was carved out of the large, hollow palmetto where Santa made his home. (As many of you will know, bad news travels fast, so soon, every animal in the neighbourhood knew of this formidable problem, facing the entire world!) The animals of Bermuda called a council, something they did only very occasionally. Finally, Wise Owl came up with a brilliant idea. It was decided that they would all help Santa to make all the toys in time for Christmas - the cahows, the lizards, the rabbits from Long Island - everyone volunteered to help. Santa was taken by great surprise and delight when he found all the animals on his doorstep! At once, he set about assigning the animals their jobs.

"Lizards, you stack the toys... ..Cardinals, you can read and check the children's lists....Rabbits, please arrange the doll's furniture and you Kiskadees can carve the toy trains with your fine beaks! To work, everyone!'' All day and night, the animals busied themselves making all sorts of fascinating delights that any child would treasure. The skinks were enjoying themselves tremendously dressing all the dolls in fancy clothes. (To be exact, they were dressing each other in the dolls' prim little dresses and shoes, laughing hysterically.) No one noticed the small Bermuda toad, hunched up miserably in a dark, dank corner until Santa felt a tug on his fur coat.

"Please Sir, what am I to do?'' the toad asked.

"My goodness me, I'm very sorry - all the jobs are taken up!'' said Santa.

But when he saw the toad's tiny eyes slowly well up with tears, he took pity on the poor toad. After all, nobody liked him. Santa scratched his head thoughtfully.

"I'll tell you what,'' he said. "Why don't you come and see all my precious reindeer.'' "Oh, please,'' replied the excited toad. "I would so like to meet them all.'' "Right then!'' Santa agreed. "Let's go.'' So they slowly walked over to the seven neatly carved palm-trees, which contained all the reindeer.

"Now,'' Santa began, "This is Vixen, this is Donner, this is Blitzen'' and so he went on, explaining one thing and another to the intent toad.

All was going well until the impatient toad reached out his webbed foot and touched Blitzen's soft, warm coat. The startled animal shuddered and stared at the amphibian that had touched him.

Inside however, things were not going as splendidly as you might have hoped.

The skinks were starting to quarrel over a pair of dolls' tights that they'd ripped.

"But you did it, I didn't even wear those!'' "Of course I didn't do it - I always get the blame!'' And so it went on, but as you might have guessed, Santa put an end to their arguments and the animals continued preparing the toys well into the night.

Soon Christmas Eve came. All the toys were in Santa's sack, the dolls dressed smartly, and the toy trains varnished beautifully.

The reindeer had been harnessed with silver sleigh bells and the sleigh was brightly decorated with coloured lights and pieces of holly.

Out of the tiny door came Santa, holding Toddy the Toad's cold hand. Toddy was wearing a green and white striped scarf and a red fleece jacket - he looked very peculiar! Santa and the toad climbed carefully into the sleigh and Santa signalled for the reindeer to set off on the fantasy journey which lay ahead of them - and they were off! Santa looked down at the fascinated toad with twinkling eyes. Their first stop was right ahead of them. The waves splashed against the rocks at Little Sound Cottage in Southampton. Santa pulled at the reigns and the reindeer slowed down, eventually coming to a complete halt on a large white Bermuda roof where Santa would make his first delivery of dolls, stationery sets and much more.

He picked up Toddy the Toad and placed him, well tucked in, inside his fur coat. He walked briskly over to the chimney and put a cautious foot inside it.

Santa slid down the long brick chute until he reached the fireplace. He got out, dusted himself off and started to fill five stockings that were hanging by the hearth. There was a frightened whimper from Toddy, which alerted Santa to the fact that someone was watching him. Santa slowly turned around and saw a small boy watching him closely.

"What's going on? What are you doing in our house?'' the boy said.

"I am Santa Claus. Who are you?'' "I'm Daniel,'' the boy said. "And there is no such thing as Santa Claus - you're probably just my father dressed up in a costume.'' "He is Santa Claus!'' Toddy croaked. "You tell him Santa!'' The boy gave a strong tug at Santa's thick, white beard and looked astonished when it didn't budge. Santa drew himself to his full height and cleared his throat. He did not like it when people did not believe in him.

"Now then,'' he said, careful not to speak unkindly to the boy. "Why don't you believe in me?'' "Because I never get exactly what I want in my stocking.'' Daniel said cheekily.

Now Santa had seen Daniel's Christmas list and he knew that Daniel had asked for rather too many presents.

"Well, you know there's a Santa Claus now, don't you?'' Toddy exclaimed! "No I don't! How do I have proof that he is the real Santa?'' Now Santa was getting very irritated with this boy, so he decided to teach him a lesson. Of course, he didn't say this, but started straight away to prove to Daniel who he really was and to teach him a few manners.

"Come my boy. Your stocking is filled, so why don't you come for a little ride, hmmm?'' He took Daniel's hand and stepped out of the door into the icy cold gust of wind that swept through Daniel's back yard. Santa and Daniel stepped up onto the sleigh and Toddy followed with a giant leap. Santa shook the reins of his reindeer. Nothing happened.

"You see, I knew you weren't Santa Claus!'' Daniel exclaimed, triumphantly.

Santa said, "Daniel, would you please go and push the sleigh?'' Daniel looked shocked! He obviously had everything done for him at home.

"Of course not,'' Daniel said, astonished. Santa gave him a long cold stare, at which Daniel got out of the sleigh and did as Santa has asked him.

The sleigh shifted slightly. Daniel pushed just a little harder -whoosh! Mud splattered in all directions as the sleigh slid through it. As Daniel hopped quickly up onto the sleigh, it flew up into the air and zoomed off.

"Thank you my lad,'' said Santa, his eyes twinkling, "you've been a great help.'' Silence. Daniel couldn't speak! It really was glorious, floating up there in that magic hour, looking down on the sparkling South Shore. At last, after many stops Daniel found his tongue.

"I'm sorry I didn't believe in you,'' he confessed flatly.

Santa chuckled. "That's all right, son, I'm used to that.'' He's not really so bad, thought Santa. He'll be right as rain when I've taught him a few things. Won't his parents get a surprise! And they did, as you will very soon find out! When they finally got back to "Little Sound Cottage'' Daniel's house, the morning sun was rising. Santa had just a few things to say to him.

"I hope you've learnt a lesson'' he said.

"Oh yes.'' Daniel answered, feeling embarrassed while shuffling his feet.

"Now I'll tell you what,'' Santa suggested, "If you are good this coming year, I'll bring you down to my little palmetto in palm Grove Gardens and show you around next Christmas.'' "That would be spectacular!'' Daniel said enthusiastically. "Until next year then!'' Daniel waved cheerily as Santa and Toddy disappeared into the distance.

And I may safely assure you that Daniel has been the most well behaved, kindest and most generous boy there ever was since his thrilling encounter with Santa Claus and will most certainly be paying a visit to Santa at: The Shortest and Widest Palmetto Palm Grove Gardens Devonshire Bermuda Before this story finishes, you may be wondering what happened to dear little Toddy. I will tell you. He has settled down with his new mate, Tina and rumour has it that she is expecting tadpoles. I am sure they will be very happy together.

For any person who doesn't believe in Santa, you may need to re-read this story because Santa is watching you!!! SANTA'S HELPER -- Toddy the toad SHORT STORY COMPETITION CPN