Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger (Wayside School 3)

“Why are you wearing a fake beard?” asked Todd.

“Is that a pillow under your jacket?” asked Jason.

Kathy was delighted. “See!” she said. “That proves there’s no Santa Claus! If there was, Louis wouldn’t have to dress up like a fool and pretend to be him.”

“I’m not Louis,” said Louis. “I’m Santa Claus. Ho! Ho—”

“You’re lying to us, Louis,” said John. “Everyone is always lying to us. Kathy’s right. Christmas is nothing but a dirty, stinking lie!”

“I was just trying to bring a little holiday cheer,” said Louis.

“Go home, Jerome,” said Terrence.

“Now, that’s no way to talk to Louis,” said Mrs. Jewls. “Louis is one of Santa’s special helpers.”

“Really, Louis?” asked Deedee.

Louis looked at Mrs. Jewls. “That’s right,” he said.

The children were all very impressed.

“Have you ever met him?” demanded Kathy.

“Well, no, not exactly,” Louis admitted.

“See!” said Kathy. “It’s just another lie.”

“You don’t have to meet Santa to be one of his special helpers,” said Mrs. Jewls.

“Then how do you know what he wants you to do?” asked John.

“That’s easy,” said Mrs. Jewls. “You just have to be nice to other people. Whenever you give someone a present or sing a holiday song, you’re helping Santa Claus. To me, that’s what Christmas is all about. Helping Santa Claus!”

“Can I be one of his helpers?” asked Dameon.

“You bet,” said Mrs. Jewls.

“Hey, everybody,” shouted Dameon. “I’m one of Santa’s helpers!”

“Me too,” said Allison.

“There must be a Santa Claus!” cheered Stephen. “Because it feels so good to help him.”

g

So the children all helped Santa,

In every way they could,

By singing songs and giving gifts

And just by being good.

g

“But there is no Santa Claus!”

Kathy continued to yelp.