Fan Writings

Twas the night before Christmas in Wonderland

No creature was stirring to lend a helping hand.

The gloshes were hung on the chimney by Rabbit

Instead of stockings like the old Christmas habit.

The Wonderlandians were all nestled in their nice warm beds

While tea and crumpets danced in their heads.

With the Queen in her red robe and Rabbit in his cap

Had just settled their brains for a long winter's nap.

When out in the Palace Garden there arose such a clatter,

Rabbit sprang from his bed, thinking it might be the Hatter.

Away to the window he flew like a flash,

Tore open the curtains and threw up the sash.

The moon reflected off some new fallen snow,

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to Rabbit's wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, all dressed in red

That rival of the Queen, as Rabbit watched in mere dread.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! On Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the palace! To the top of the wall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of Toys, and the intruder too.

And then, in a twinkling, Rabbit heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As Rabbit drew in his head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney the man came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of gifts he had flung on his back,

If he hadn't been so kind, Rabbit would've had a heart attack!

His eyes -- how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And Rabbit laughed when he saw him, in spite of himself!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave Rabbit to know he had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the gloshes, then turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

The Queen ran in, demanding to know about the noise

So Rabbit told her about the man and of the Christmas joys

But they heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

'HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!'