¶ On the 82nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me ¶
¶ 82 cats a-frying 81 a-broiling 80 cats a-baking ¶
(Willie) 'Enough, ALF!'
¶ 79 cats a-toasting ¶
¶ 78 cats a-boiling ¶
(Kate) 'Enough!'
¶ 77 cats a-sizzling ¶
¶ 76 cats a-poaching ¶¶
(everyone) 'Enough, ALF!'
(ALF) 'Not only are we spending Christmas'
'in some desolate cabin with no running water'
'we're not allowed to sing.'
(Willie) 'You can sing, just don't sing about'
'you-know-what.'
(ALF) 'What?'
(Kate) 'Roasting cats.'
(ALF) 'I didn't say roasting.'
'I said frying, boiling, baking..'
- 'You know what we mean.' - 'Right.'
(ALF) 'Right, no cat songs.'
(Brian) 'Do you think there's gonna be snow?'
(Willie) 'Uh, yes. Hopefully.'
(ALF) 'Oh, great. No running water, no cat songs, and no snow.'
(Willie) 'We should have tied him to the roof rack.'
(ALF) 'Why are we stopping here?'
(Willie) 'This is it. This is where we are gonna spend our Christmas.'
(ALF) 'Well, why didn't you just get a manger?'
- Let's check this out. - 'You check it out!'
I need to check out the outdoor plumbing.
[instrumental music]
Well?
What do you think?
It's, uh..
Rustic.
I think it's neat.
Brian, I was, I was about your age
when I spent Christmas here
with my whole family. And I..
I don't think Mr. Foley
has changed a thing.
The kitchen could use some updating.
Look. Look. This is where we put our stockings.
A-and the tree was right over there.
And then on Christmas Eve, we-we drank
hot apple cider with cinnamon and sang
Christmas carols until the wee hours of the morning.
This is gonna be that sort of Christmas
a Christmas full of warmth and love, and joy.
(ALF) 'Help, help! I'm stuck in the outhouse!'
Hold that thought.
[instrumental music]
Hey, hey! Careful with that box, Willie!
That's precious cargo.
Oh, gee!
What's in it? It's so heavy.
Your color TV.
Well, you said there wouldn't be any TV up here.
There is no TV because there is no electricity.
You see, you can't run a TV without electricity.
Oh, great. There goes the Perry Como special.
What's in this one?
Your microwave.
But it seems like a moot point, now.
Well, what happened was my dad lost his job
and then we lost our house.
- How do you lose a house? - No, no, no.
We didn't actually lose the house.
We, we just, we couldn't afford to make the payments anymore
and we had to get out.
Well, it was the middle of December.
And we were literally out in the streets
when Mr. Foley heard about what happened and
he said that he had this cabin up in the woods
that he hardly ever went to
and we could stay there for as long as we had to.
You know, that Christmas, we, we had nothing.
We had absolutely nothing.
No presents, no toys. Nothing.
I think that was the best Christmas I can remember.
Where was Mr. Foley?
He, he was at his house in town.
I bet it had indoor plumbing.
So, last month we got a letter that Margaret was ill
and since they weren't using the cabin--
You jumped at the invitation.
We're not getting through here.
It's just a phase.
[chuckles]
I'm sorry, dad.
I know we're gonna have a great time.
¶ Deck the dump with boughs of holly ¶
¶ Fa la la la la lala la la.. ¶
Here you go, Willie, hang the holly.
Where'd you find this holly?
Out back.
- Oh, I like your sweater. - Well, thank you.
It's the Perry Como look.
[chuckles] It's stunning.
You know, it looks a little like..
It is. It's the Christmas present I bought for Willie.
- 'Oh!' - Take off the sweater.
What are you doing with it?
Wearing it! I looked pretty silly in your new robe.
Honey, did you get me a robe?
- Apparently. - What do you mean apparently?
It's right in that box next to Brian's bicycle.
I get a bike for Christmas?
Oh, boy!
- Can I have it now? - No, no.
Son, you can wait till Christmas morning, can't you?
Okay.
ALF, these are Christmas presents
they're supposed to be opened on Christmas day.
And they're supposed to be surprises.
And they're not from you, anyway!
Sure they are! Look at the tags.
"To Willie, from ALF."
"To Kate, from ALF."
"To Lynn, from ALF."
"To ALF, from ALF."
"To Brian, from ALF."
Did you change these tags?
When do I have time to shop?
He changed the tags
he put his name on Brian's bicycle
and then told him what it was.
Well, I didn't tell him it's red.
It's red?
I just said that to throw him off the track.
Well, what do you mean he is getting a red bicycle?
Not exactly.
As you and I know, it's a bicycle kit.
Uh, some assembly is required. Yes.
Some assembly? Have you read the instructions?
What is required is a pair of pliers, a screw driver..
And someone who has a vague idea of what they're doing.
I think I'll hang the holly.
Dad, wait.
I don't think that's holly.
Well, what is it then?
I think it's poison oak.
Kate.
Is this poison oak?
Well, I-I don't know, honey. Brian's the Cub Scout.
How can you tell?
Elementary, Willie!
Once a week, the kid puts on a blue uniform
and goes to a meeting.
Are you finished?
Uh, unless I hear laughter in the next few seconds.
I withdraw the Cub Scout joke.
Go on with your life.
What makes you think this is poison oak, B?
Well, it has three leaves.
Kate, start pumping.
Running water would come in handy now
wouldn't it, Wilco?
You don't understand, do you? You just..
You don't understand anything about Christmas, do you?
'You think it's just opening presents'
and being a general nuisance.
- Well, honey, I don't think.. - Well, isn't it time..
Isn't it about time that he had
a little consideration for rest of us?
Now, take that poison oak
and dump it way out in the woods.
[mellow music]
And don't hurry back!
[door slams]
This, Brian and Lynn
this is Mr. Foley.
- Hi. - Hi. How're you doing?
(Lynn) 'Hi, Mr. Foley. It's nice to meet you.'
Now, we were just thinking about fixing something to eat.
Won't you stay with us?
Oh. No, thank you, Mrs. Tanner.
I was just on my way to deliver a truck full of toys
to the hospital and I thought I'd stopped by to see
if you need anything in town.
Truck full of toys?
You know, every year, Mr. Foley repairs toys
that children have thrown away.
And on Christmas Eve, he takes them into town, to the hospital
and he gives them out..
Oh, no, not quite, Willie.
You see, I deliver the toys to Santa Claus
and he gives them to the children in the hospital.
Wow!
Now, tell me, how is Mrs. Foley, any better?
Well, I mustn't keep Santa Claus waiting.
Good day.
Whoa! A replica of a Batu spaceship!
Perfect for Brian.
Doesn't fly.
(Kate) Wait. Mr. Foley..
(Willie) Mr. Foley..
Is, is there anything wrong? I mean..
Oh, oh, I almost forgot your Christmas present.
- Oh. - Now, promise me..
You won't open it until Christmas day. Eh?
- Yeah. Hey. - Gosh.
A rolling cat-Platter!
Perfect for Lucky.
I'll give it to Kate.
[door slams]
Uh-oh.
Margaret passed away two weeks ago.
I didn't have time to write everybody.
Oh, Mr. Foley..
Mr. Foley, we're so sorry.
Ho-ho-ho! Merry Christmas, everybody.
[laughs]
Come on out.
Follow me. That's it.
Yeah. Let's sing a song.
¶ You better watch out you better not cry ¶
¶ You better not pout I'm telling you why ¶
¶ Santa Claus is coming to town ¶
Come on, once again!
¶ You better watch out you better not cry ¶
¶ Better not pout I'm telling you why... ¶
[instrumental music]
(Santa) You two look like brothers.
You are?
How about sharing this?
[indistinct chatter]
Okay? Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
Well, now, what is your name?
- Katie. - Katie.
Katie, I have something for you.
It's cute as you, it looks like you.
You have a Merry Christmas, Katie. Oh. Ha-ha!
I want the bat, the ball and the mitt.
Oh, I'm sorry, one to a customer.
Then just the ball and the mitt.
Mm-hm.
Well, now, what's your name, son?
- James. - Well, James.
I got a bat and this funny-looking thing.
- What is it? - I'm not sure.
- Pass. - Hm.
Hey, I don't remember bringing this in here.
Sure is an ugly-looking thing.
Got big ugly ears, big ugly eyes..
I think she's beautiful.
She's heavier than she looks.
Thank you, Santa.
Oh, you're welcome, darling.
I wish I had a present to give you.
Oh, that's okay.
You know, Christmas isn't about presents.
It's about giving of yourself.
You've given me a most wonderful gift by saying "thank you."
I'm going to name her Amanda.
My name is Tiffany and I'm 8 years old.
How old are you, Amanda?
You're 8 years old, too? That's great.
Would you like to put your feet up?
You would? Okay.
[whirring]
Tiffany, hop into your bed.
It's time to take your temperature.
Okay. But Amanda wants you to take her temperature first.
Amanda?
Oh, hello. Welcome.
Let's see if I have an extra thermometer with me.
Oh. Here we go.
'Okay, Amanda. This won't hurt a bit.'
Now, open up.
'Okay. Now, let's take Tiffany's temperature.'
'Thank you.'
- Goodnight, Tiffany. - Goodnight
Goodnight, Amanda.
Amanda, dear, do come in.
I'm so glad you could come to visit to see me.
'Cause we have so much to talk about.
Would you care for tea and cookies?
I find that everyone in the hospital is very nice
except they're all too busy to really talk to.
Here, let me serve you.
Yes, they are very good.
I made them myself.
Who's your favorite TV star?
Mine, too! He's such a hunk.
We have so much in common.
Yes, there used to be another girl here
but they moved her to a different room.
Her mother was afraid she might get depressed
if we became friends, and..
Know what you need, Amanda? Earrings.
Here's a beautiful pair.
They'll look fabulous on you.
Pink is definitely your color.
- Hold it. - Huh!
This where I draw the line.
I've got to level with you, kid.
My name is ALF, not Amanda.
And, and blue is my color. I'm a boy.
You can talk!
Yeah, and it's a good thing
or you'd have me wearing a bra by now.
Mind if I have another cookie?
This is fantastic!
A stuffed animal that talks and eats cookies.
I've got to show nurse Hilliard.
Oh, no, no, please!
Don't tell anyone.
Why not?
Well, because I'm not a stuffed toy.
I'm real.
And I'm in danger.
You've got to help me get home.
But Santa gave you to me.
Your mine.
I guess I better explain.
Come here.
Yeah, this is all I got left, Tiffany.
I like him better than Amanda.
Are you sure?
Yeah, next year you can give Amanda
to another little girl, one who's not so fussy.
Well, you can have both toys if you'd like.
No, I'm bored with him, I mean her.
Thanks anyway, Santa.
Excuse me, Dr. Willoughby, are you busy?
George, I mean Santa.
I just thought I'd stop by to wish you a Merry Christmas
and, uh, to give you this for the hospital.
'It's not much.'
Well, thank you, George.
Thank you very much. Merry Christmas to you, too.
Where should I send your receipt?
Uh, don't bother.
Don't open it until tomorrow.
Did you give out all those presents?
Well, all except for that oddball.
Tiffany took it and then she gave it back.
[laughing]
Well, all she really wanted was to see you for Christmas.
One of the other little kids told her there's no such thing
as Santa and then she asked me if it was true.
- Well.. - What did you tell her?
Well..
I showed her this.
Hm.
"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus."
The most famous newspaper editorial of all time.
"He exists as certainly as love and generosity
"and devotion exists.
"How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus.
"It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias.
"There would be no child-like faith then
"no poetry, no romance
"to make tolerable this existence.
"The eternal light with which childhood fills the world
would be extinguished."
Tiffany?
Yeah.
I can't do anything for her.
What do you suppose to say to a little girl
who's not gonna see another Christmas?
ALF!
Shhh!
I thought you had to leave.
Well, yeah, yeah.
I, uh, I-I do. I do.
You came back to see me?
Yeah. I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, ALF.
And to see if you had any more of those cookies.
You ate them all.
Oh, right.
I drew a picture of you.
This is me?
Pretty good, huh?
Well, where's my nose?
I didn't have enough room on the page.
Who's this?
It's me.
Can't you tell?
You're wearing wings.
Uh-huh.
You're not from the planet Bungaraya, are you?
No.
I'm from earth. The wings are just..
They're beautiful.
ALF, do you ever miss Melmac?
Yeah.
I miss it a lot.
It was my whole world.
Everything and everybody I knew was there.
What do you miss the most?
My friends.
That's what I thought.
But, but when I came to this world
I made new friends.
Like, like the people I live with
and you, Tiffany.
and I discovered a lot of new things on this world.
that we didn't have on Melmac.
Like what?
Like, uh, pavement and, uh, silverware.
What about Christmas?
I don't really have a handle on Christmas yet.
People get uptight about presents.
That's because they just don't know.
Know what?
Christmas isn't about presents.
It's about giving of yourself.
That's what Santa Claus said.
After meeting you, I know what he means.
[mellow music]
ALF, are you really from way out there?
(ALF) 'Yeah. Somewhere out there.'
Kate, look at this.
Dad, you shouldn't open that till Christmas.
Oh. That was an accident.
Honey, it's, it's the deed to this cabin.
He says, "I hope your family will enjoy many more
Christmases here at this cabin."
We can't accept a gift of this cabin.
Why not? This place is neat.
I want to live here.
- Don't you, Lynn? - Huh? Oh, sure.
No! No, no, I mean I don't want to live here.
An occasional visit, you know in the area, t-that's fine but--
Mr. Foley hardly knows me. Uh..
What can he be thinking of?
Has anyone seen ALF?
ALF..
ALF, could you stay with me
just until I fall asleep?
Hey, no problem.
ALF, do you want to know a secret?
If you want to tell me.
I'm going to have to move on to another world, too.
And there's nothing anyone can do about it.
And I'm afraid to go, ALF.
I know I'm not supposed to be afraid
but I can't help it.
It's alright, Tiffany.
It's alright to be afraid.
I'm so afraid I can't go to sleep at night
because I'm afraid I'm not gonna wake up.
Well, then, do what I do.
When you can't go to sleep
think about some of your favorite things.
You mean, like rain drops on rose?
Yeah, that's a good one.
Or whiskers on kittens.
Ha! Now, you're talkin'.
[smacking lips]
You know, maybe in the next world that I'm going to
they'll have Christmas all year round.
Could be.
And everyone will want to be my friend.
I know they will.
And maybe everyone will be just like you, ALF.
Well, there is such a thing as
too much of a good thing.
Hah!
I love you, ALF.
[mellow music]
I love you too, Tiffany.
[mellow music]
(Brian) ALF?
(Kate) ALF?
Oh! Boy, it's getting cold.
Y-you'd better go back to the house.
I-I'll keep looking.
I don't want to quit till we find ALF.
But.. Say, you've got to stay warm.
You know Alf's got a fur coat, you don't.
But, dad, what if he gets caught in a trap
or, or if a hunter shoots him?
Oh, ALF's been around.
Yeah.
He's had a good life.
What we mean is
I'm sure ALF knows how to stay under cover.
I hope.
[instrumental music]
Okay, men, cover me.
Okay, I've got everything, stopwatch, cassette player
Mozart tape, Lamaze book
camera, film
coins for the phone..
This bag.
What about me?
Oh, my God, Denise!
Come on, sweetheart.
(Dr. Willoughby) You should have an easy time, Denise. You're well into labor.
So, we'll just sending you straight to the delivery room.
- So, everything's okay? - Everything's fine.
You're going to deliver the baby now?
- Pretty soon. - What about the breathing?
Don't we get to do the breathing?
Well, yeah, we all have to continue breathing, of course.
(Richard) 'But doctor, you don't understand.'
We've been going to classes for months practicing
the breathing, you know.
[breathes deeply]
Yes, Richard, I know, but, see the breathing exercises
are primarily intended to help the mother.
Get through the, the..
Hours of excruciating agony?
- Exactly. - Well, uh..
I'm still gonna be able to watch the delivery, aren't I?
I mean, I really want to be a part of everything.
You can cut the umbilical cord.
Uh, not that.
We need an IM with 10 milligrams diazepam.
No. No sedative or pain-killers.
I want to be completely awake and aware of everything.
- It's for him. - Oh. I'm sorry, doctor.
I swear, he's not usually like this.
Oh, not now, Richard!
Kelly, could you help Richard get his equipment inside?
I'm gonna go on the scrub while Denise is in prep.
- I need my light meter. - 'Wait, Richard!'
- The elevator! - Denise!
Richard!
[elevator stops]
What's going on here? What happened?
The elevator's stuck.
Help me! Somebody help me!
Denise! Denise!
Call maintenance, quickly.
Oh, I think they've all gone home.
See if Mr. Foley is still around, maybe he can can fix it.
Yes, doctor. Oh, uh, what does he look like?
- Red suit, white beard. - Santa Claus?
Right.
Breathe, Denise. Breathe.
[deep breathing]
[screaming]
Somebody help me, please!
- Help is on the way. - Denise.
George, elevator's stuck.
Yeah.
Somebody, please help me.
[heavy breathing]
Denise, Dr. Gordon Shumway.
[screams]
I know, I know.
[screams]
You already said that.
[screams]
Really, that's starting to get on my nerves.
I told them no drugs.
You're not on drugs. Now, just relax while I--
- You're a doctor? - Yes, uh, from Melmac.
The, uh, Melmac clinic in Minneapolis.
I never heard of it.
Uh, Denise, we're stuck in an elevator here.
Now is not the time to question my credentials.
Now I suggest you calm down, okay?
- Okay. - Good.
Now, uh, what seems to be the problem?
The problem?
I'm gonna have a baby.
I see.
Did you get a second opinion?
Hey, hey, just covering myself on this malpractice issue.
Please, doctor, would just tell me what to do?
'No problem, I just need to ask you a couple of questions.'
Okay. What?
Exactly where do babies come from?
How can a doctor not know where babies come from?
Hey, I'm not married.
Well, you might get in the elevator through the trapdoor
on the ceiling.
The stairs!
[grunting]
Alright, alright, we've got it.
Now, uh, "Just relax and don't push."
It's happening.
What's happening?
Oh, oh, yeah, yeah. Uh, uh, yeah.
"Don't push yet. Any minute now. Everything is fine."
Denise! Denise!
[baby wailing]
Oh, Sam.
Sam!
Daddy's on his way.
Daddy's on his way!
No wonder there's money in medicine.
You're the cutest baby in the whole world.
Yes, you are.
Dr. Shumway, if you hadn't been here..
I don't know how to thank you.
You just did.
You said, "thank you."
Merry Christmas.
Of course, you could name the baby after me.
Isn't Gordon an unusual name for a girl?
A girl!
Didn't you notice?
Oh, uh.. Oh, yeah, yeah, of course!
Of course. I just forgot.
I've got a lot on my mind.
Big golf tournament coming up!
We need a pretty, pretty name
for a pretty, pretty little baby.
How about Tiffany?
Tiffany?
That's a nice name!
Tiffany.
[baby coos]
(Dr. Willoughby) 'Mr. Foley.'
What?
Oh, yeah. W-what is it?
I want to talk to you about this.
You weren't supposed to open that until tomorrow.
This must be your whole life savings.
Well, it was, uh.. It was a tax refund.
Mr. Foley, nobody has tax refunds like this.
And when people get contribution
they're usually in round numbers
$100, $1,000..
I want to discuss this further.
I want you to come by to see me day after tomorrow.
I've got other plans.
'George.'
Sometimes when people lose a loved one..
I know what Margaret meant to you.
Goodnight, Ted.
Merry Christmas.
[mellow music]
Um, "Slip disc washer.."
"Slip disc...washer."
What, what is this? A spinal repair kit?
Um, "Slip disc washer C over handlebar sprocket.
See insert."
(Brian) 'Dad?'
Yeah?
Is ALF coming home?
He's coming home.
I'm sure he's coming home.
I hope it doesn't snow.
["Silent Night" on truck's radio]
¶ Sleep in heavenly ¶
¶ Peace ¶¶
(man on radio) 'Ah, what a beautiful song for Christmas Eve'
'the beautiful "Silent Night."'
'Well, let's have a look at the weather forecast.'
'There's sure a lot of folks out there interested.'
'And there's good news for everyone'
'dreaming of a white Christmas.'
'The National Weather Service forecasts 4 to 6 inches of snow'
'above 3000 feet'
'and 12 to 14 inches in the mountains.'
Ah, tell you what, 'we'll play "White Christmas"'
'for you, in just a moment'
but first, here's Perry Como singing "Toyland."
[music on radio]
[radio turns off]
[truck stops]
[engine turns off]
[wind whooshing]
[melancholic music]
Yo! What's going on?
Who's that?
Nice night, isn't it?
Get out of here, and leave me alone!
Don't do it, George!
How'd you know my name?
Who are you?
Do I know you?
I don't know.
Do you?
Wait a minute, you're that funny-looking toy
that's been popping up around me all day.
What are you?
I'm an alien life form from another planet.
Oh, yeah? How'd you get here?
In my spaceship.
Oh, no, that's not true.
You're a figment of my imagination and you don't exist.
- It is true. - That's impossible.
You only exist in my imagination.
Since I don't believe in aliens form other planets
you don't exist.
I'm debating with William F. Buckley.
Oh, my gosh!
You're Saint Nicholas!
Saint Nicholas?
Saint Nicholas. Santa Claus.
I just realize youse got a broad face
and a round little belly
shakes when he laughs like a bowl full of jelly.
Hey, hey, hey, let's not get personal!
I'm going to do something about this right after the holidays.
His cheeks were like roses
and his nose... like a cherry?
Let's move on.
Yeah. Why are you bothering me?
Aren't you supposed to be sliding down chimneys
bringing toys to children of the world?
Yeah, well, you think that's a one-man job?
In the old days, maybe.
But now, I'm an, I'm an executive Santa.
I have to delegate responsibility
to people like you.
Why me?
Who better than you?
You made it possible for Brian Tanner to experience a Christmas
like the one his father has remembered his whole life.
You brought toys to the hospital
and you brought a smile to the face of a dying child.
Whether you know it or not, George
'you've been making other people happy all your life.'
How do you know all these things?
Hey, St. Nicholas knows everything.
I know when you're sleeping.
I know when you're awake.
I know if you've been bad or good.
You know, the whole ball of wax.
Then you know why I can't go on anymore.
Margaret is gone.
I'm sorry.
You feel like you lost your whole world.
Believe me, I can relate.
But you have unfinished business here.
There are people you're leaving behind
who still need you.
And if you know anything about Christmas, George
you'd know this.
Christmas is not about what you can get
but what you can give of yourself.
A little girl taught me that
not so long ago.
'And I don't know where she got it.'
You're a good man, Foley.
And I can't afford to lose you.
So, let's get this truck on the road.
Come on! We've got things to do.
[mellow music]
Where to?
Take me home.
North Pole?
I don't think I have enough gas.
Then take me to see Willie Tanner.
I've been thinking about recruiting him.
He has a lot of potential.
Oh, great. I've always wanted to see how you go down a chimney.
Yeah, me too.
Merry Christmas, Nick.
And to all a good night.
Good night.
[instrumental music]
- Thanks, mom. - You're welcome.
Hot cocoa?
This is the worst Christmas ever!
[sighs]
I hear something on the roof.
Santa Claus?
Probably not.
I-I didn't hear any sleigh bells.
Well, here goes nothing.
It is Santa!
It couldn't be!
Maybe it's a raccoon.
- Willie, Willie! - Hm? Hm?
[ALF screaming]
- It's ALF! - ALF!
Merry Christmas.
You do look so familiar.
And your voice is so familiar.
I guess you must remind me of someone else.
Would you care for some tea and cookies?
Uh, thank you.
Uh, perhaps a little bit later.
Right now I got so much work here
I don't know what to do.
Unless I delegate responsibility.
How'd you like to be my assistant?
What can I do?
Uh, how about getting me that crescent wrench?
No problem.
Uh..
It's close enough.
- Tiffany? - 'Yeah?'
Hi. We're the Tanners.
I think we have, um, a mutual friend.
- ALF! - Shhh!
(Brian) Hi, I'm Brian.
These are for you.
- Hello, Willie. - Mr. Foley!
Say, um..
Could I talk to you just, just for a minute?
Well, sure.
[grunts]
Listen, um..
Um, it's not that we don't appreciate this
because we do, we really, really do.
And we can't thank you enough.
It's just that, um
I-I don't think we'd be able to use it all that often.
It's a beautiful cabin, but--
In other words, you've got a tax problem.
- Uh, potentially. - Hm.
Then I'll just hang on to this
and invite you all back next year. Huh?
[chuckles]
You might want to look out the window.
["Silent Night" vocalizing]
(Mr. Foley) '"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.'
'"He exists as certainly as love and generosity'
'"and devotion exist.'
'"How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus.'
'"It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias.'
'"There would be no child-like faith, then'
'"no poetry, no romance'
'"to make tolerable this existence.'
'"Eternal light, with which childhood fills the world'
'would be extinguished."'
[instrumental music]