It was harmattan and the last month of the
year. The dew, the dust had come, and the
sneezing had just started. At this dusty and
chilly time of the year, there was one thing in
the mouths of all and sundry, Christmas. This
time was the time to rest, make money or
both.
It was during this time that the sounds
paraded the dusty streets, the beating of
drums banged our little ears and the calls
never went through. This sound continued
almost everyday - everyday of children like me
following a bread-like bus which carried
untop of it a very fat man with white beard in
red overall and a red cap. He would throw
sweet and biscuits at us. I could remember
vividly mother telling me that the goodies
would spoil my already milk-coloured teeth if I
ate them. It was during this season of
goodies, mother would tell my sibblings and I
the stories of Jesus, the Three Wise Men,
North Pole and Christmas. We were excited
not only at the stories, but also at the
Christmas cock and hen in the cage at the
backyard.
The following day was Christmas Eve and my
school's Christmas show. I had gone to school
very early that day to play "hard play" with my
tall, yellow and giant friend, Audu. He was the
tallest and oldest boy in my class. We usually
called him "grandfather". In the midst of the
hard play, Audu left without a trace. My quest
for Audu failed, so I played with other boys.
As soon as 12 o'clock, our lunch time had
passed, one of the most controversial female
teachers, Sisi Beatrix, came to the playground
and shouted with a little smile on her face.
'' Children, Santa is around from Rome. Pack
your bags, including your water bottles and
see him. "
Children like me jumped in ecstasy, my
sibblings and I were not left out.
The queue was long but I was the last person
on it. People started coming out from the
Grotto with manny colourful packages. When
it was my turn, I marched into the room like a
military officer with my thick white socks
nearly turned black. The Father Christmas
Grotto was painted in red with small different
colourful bulbs shining in it. In a distant angle,
there was a large red sofa which the Father
Christmas sat on. He called me to come closer
and sit on his laps, I did as instructed. After he
had presented his gift to me, he whispered
something into my ears.
" O boy, you dey fear o ''
" Audu Joseph! " I said as quite as possible
with an instant recognition of his bold voice. "
So, you vanished inorder to become the
Christmas man, ehn ? "
" Na so! " Audu Joseph exclaimed, removing
his sweat socked red cap and touching with
one hand his very hairless bald head.
I walked out of the room with Audu's
package; Audu, the Father Christmas.
I moved around, telling my other friends I had
seen a Brother Christmas.
