"Yikes, Santa.

This is one big pile of mail!" Erno cried. The little elf was struggling to deliver two mailbags - stuffed with postcards and letters all addressed to Santa at the North Pole. Erno pushed and shoved the bags until they rested beside Santa's chair and then plopped himself on top of a bag, exhaling heavily and wiping his brow. Santa was seated at his computer, checking his email with BMI Internet's Cheetah high speed service. He smiled down at Erno.

"Ho, ho, ho," Santa's jolly laugh rang through the cheery cottage. "And just look at all these emails, too," Santa said happily. He was reading email sent by boys and girls from all around the world. "I just love getting letters and emails," Santa said.

"And there are so many more to come," Mrs. Claus said happily.

Santa's eyes lit up at the sight of mail from the many boys and girls who took the time to write him a personal note - on paper or by email.

"Just listen to this one from Tanya in Barrie," Santa said. He read, " 'Dear Santa, I am ten years old and very much looking forward to Christmas. My aunt and three cousins are coming from Calgary to stay with us. I just can't wait, we can all go skating and tobogganing and build snow forts together! But I want to make sure that you bring the cousins their gifts here at my house, instead of in Calgary.' Ho, ho, ho," Santa said, "What a thoughtful little girl, she didn't even ask for anything, except that I don't overlook her cousins."

Mrs. Claus came into the room with a tray of hot cocoa and a plate of cookies.

"Thank you," Santa and Erno both said together and then laughed. "There's nothing like Mrs. Claus' cocoa and cookies on a cold North Pole day," Santa said.

Mrs. Claus opened another letter on the email inbox icon. "Look at this one Santa, from Nathan in Lucknow," Mrs. Claus said. She read, " 'Dear Santa, I am seven years old and live on a farm. I have lots of chores to do before and after school, but my sister hardly has to do anything. Just because she is only five. It's just not fair. For Christmas I would like a new snow shovel and a remote control truck that can do flips! P.S. Did you ever have a problem like mine?' "

Mrs. Claus laughed lightly. "Oh, my what a sweet little boy - I'm sure his sister is just lovely too. There must certainly be a lot of work to do on a farm!"

"I think living on a farm would be excellent," Erno cried. You could have chickens and rabbits and horses and . . ."

"And reindeer!" Mrs. Claus added.

"Well, maybe," Erno looked thoughtful.

Just then Santa sighed, a sound that he very rarely made. "I can't help feeling a bit blue this year," he said quietly sipping his cocoa. "I don't know what it is, just feels like something is missing," Santa said quietly.

"Oh no, Santa, don't feel like that! I'm not going to go to a farm. I'm staying right here with you!" Erno cried and hugged Santa. Santa smiled.

Beside Santa, Mrs. Claus smiled to herself. "Just remember what you always tell the others, Santa: 'Christmas is a magical time,' " Mrs. Claus said, "and I have a feeling that this year will be no exception." Mrs. Claus turned her head to hide a big smile behind her hand. It seemed that Mrs. Claus was up to something. But what?

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