"But where is the storyteller now?" Santa asked. "I didn't get to relay my personal thanks for such a wonderful and picturesque tale," Santa sighed - for the second time in the month of December.

"Santa, I have another even more special gift for you this Christmas," Mrs. Claus said.

"Oh, my dear, how wonderful, how absolutely. . . another story?" Santa asked.

"Well, yes, sort of. It's another chapter in the Santa story," Mrs. Claus said.

"Well, now I am puzzled. You know I don't want gifts at Christmas time. My gift is knowing the happiness that we at the North Pole all make for the boys and girls all around the world. The elves, and you and the reindeer, we all work together to make that happen. What gift could be better than that?" Santa asked.

"I know that is true Santa, and it has been for all the many, many years that you have been making children happy. But this year it makes me very happy to bring you a gift. It's not really my gift, it's not really mine to give, but I want. . . oh, I can't even explain. Here. . ." Mrs. Claus stood quickly and opened the front door. In stepped the storyteller, wrapped in a magnificent thick wool cape of red and white.

"Why there you are,"

cried Santa, "We wondered where you disappeared to after that marvelous evening at the Town Hall. Please come in, come in and warm yourself, have some tea," offered Santa.

The figure moved gracefully into the room and slowly removed the heavy woolen cape as if it were mere gossamer. Suddenly Santa was thunderstruck as he saw the figure beneath.

"My goodness, it's it's - why Ho, Ho, Ho. I'm almost speechless," Santa opened his arms and hugged the storyteller.

"It's so good to see you again, Santa," the storyteller said, "It has indeed been much too long. "

"But where, I mean when, what. . ." Santa stammered.

Ah, but that would be a story for another time.

Just then the elves burst into the Claus cottage. "Hey, what the heck is going on around here? We just . . . the storyteller!" cried Erno.

"Not just any storyteller, Erno," said Mrs. Claus. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet Santa's sister!"

The storyteller turned and faced them all with her bright white smile and beautiful red hair - her face, like her voice - was ageless. "I'm so glad to be here, to be home..." the storyteller said.

"Wow," Erno said. "Well, if you're Santa's sister, we can't keep calling you storyteller." Erno mused a minute and then said, "Can we call you Auntie Claus?"

The storyteller laughed heartily. "Why, yes, I think that would be a fine name," she said, "I think I will consider that new name my gift from you this Christmas," she said warmly.

"Now sis, you simply must help me this year and ride on the sleigh and deliver the presents with me. It'll be such fun," Santa said.

"Oh Santa, thank you so much, but as you said to Mrs. Claus, we all work to bring Christmas to all the good girls and boys. We don't all ride the sleigh - that treat is yours alone. Please, allow me to help out on the ground," Auntie Claus said, "My great gift is coming home to my family!"

And then in unison, Santa Claus and Auntie Claus said, "Ho, ho, ho."

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