Shall we catch Santa Claus!

It was a cold, snowy night, and all the streets of Shimla were lit up.

- Dr. Alka Jain

Karan, I streets of Pari and Sameer were excited to celebrate Christmas. Like every year, they were going to have a sleepover at Sameer's house, but this year, they had planned an additional activity for Christmas eve.

Karan said excitedly, "This year, we must meet Santa Claus and get to know him!"

Pari added, "Yes! I want to see Santa with his red hat and his flying sleigh!"

"I will ask him to give all the gifts in his sack to us!" Sameer said, grinning.

Soon, it was Christmas eve, and the friends were ready to stay awake and catch Santa. As night fell, each of them chose a hiding spot in the living room. Karan hid under the table, Pari hid behind the armchair, and Sameer stood behind the curtain.

Karan whispered, "Whatever happens, we must not fall asleep!"

Pari replied with a grin, "And remember, if we catch Santa, we will insist that he gives us all the gifts in his sack!"

"But what if he uses magic to make us sit on his reindeer, and flies away with us?" Sameer said, slightly nervous.

"You have a wild imagination, Sameer!" Karan chuckled.

The children laughed and then quietened down, deciding not to talk anymore so as to not scare Santa away.

The clock ticked on, and soon it was 1 AM. The entire neighbourhood was asleep, but Karan, Pari and Sameer were trying to stay awake, their eyes barely open. Suddenly, they heard a faint sound at the door. The three of them looked at each other, and held their breath.

The door creaked open slowly, and someone with a long white beard, wearing a red hat and a thick red coat, entered the room Pari whispered, "It really is Santa Claus!"

The Santa quietly took gifts out of his sack and placed them around the Christmas tree. Just then, a soft sound came from under the table, "Aaa... aa...choo!" It was Karan, and the dust had caused him to sneeze.

The Santa froze. He turned around and asked, "Who's there?"