Jimmy was a nine year old Bermudian boy. He had a round face and chubby cheeks that his family used to pinch until his cheeks would turn bright red. He lived with his mom and dad in a large house in Smith's parish, and he went to Harrington Sound Primary school. He was in Primary Six. Jimmy didn't pay much attention to the teacher because he loved to daydream. He had a wild imagination. When he daydreamed, he was able to have interesting adventures.

One of his favourite places to go was Spittle Pond. While he collected colourful rocks, he would imagine himself playing basketball with Michael Jordan or he would be a fisherman catching a giant shark and getting a prize.

He could really transport himself whenever he wanted and feel that he was really there. One afternoon, he was so engrossed in his daydream imagining himself as the pirate, Long John Silver, that he almost jumped off a rock into the sea. It was his mom calling, "Jimmy, come on, it's time to go home,'' that woke him up. It was almost the end of November when Jimmy went into Hamilton and was mesmerised by the bright coloured lights that were lining the streets. Christmas was Christmas was in the air. The shops were raging with customers and his mom was getting all the Christmas cards out. He loved this time of year because he would see all of his relatives and he would play with his new toys. He was following his mom around the Phoenix store when he came upon a little log cabin in a small glass case. When he shook it, all the snow began to fall. This reminded Jimmy of when he went to New Jersey to visit his auntie Margaret for Christmas. It was snowing and they had made a snowman.

Boy, was it cold! His fingers had almost frozen off and he had to sit by the fire, sipping hot cocoa to get them warm again. As he followed his mom out of the store, the bright sun warmed Jimmy's face and he realised that everyone was running around with shorts and a tee-shirt and the jinglebells were still ringing. It sure was different in Bermuda. He wondered why everyone here pretended they were in the North Pole, when many tourists swam at John Smith's Bay on Christmas Day. How weird! There wasn't any snow in Bermuda. Santa couldn't possibly be covered with snow, or wear a heavy coat and boots, because he would sweat to death! He remembered when his relatives came from the cold to Bermuda they would quickly take off their long pants and get into shorts and sandals. Maybe that's what Santa should do, and he smiled to himself as he came out of yet another daydream. It was about two weeks before Christmas when Jimmy was in his room trying to write out his Christmas list.

He was half-way under the covers writing in his old notebook. The only light he had was the small flashlight his dad had given him last Christmas which he loved using when he went camping with the Boys Brigade. Late at night, he used it so that mom and dad wouldn't disturb him. Pausing and listening for a moment, he sat up in bed and looked across the room. He could hardly believe it! It was as plain as day. There, on his bookcase in a miniature form, was what looked like a Rasta man dressed in red Bermuda shorts, green knee high socks, black shoes, a green shirt and tie! And on a scooter! Wow! How incredible! He remembered thinking that Christmas had to be different, but never in a million longtails had he imagined this. However, it all made sense to him. After all, who ever heard of a Santa Claus with reindeer, a long coat and a sleigh, coming to Bermuda Everybody knows that Bermuda is a beautiful little island in the Atlantic Ocean where the temperature almost never goes below 68 degrees, or do they? If there was going to be a Santa in Bermuda, it would make sense that he would wear Bermuda shorts and ride a giant scooter.

That's right! His scooter would be pulled by a multitude of longtails into the clear night sky. After he delivered all the presents, that is. Well right there before his eyes, Jimmy was seeing his daydream become a reality. He slowly walked over to the bookshelf, and there they were busy at work. He could see them working vigorously and hear them talking sternly. They, of course, could not see or hear him. It was the Oleander Santa and his mates getting everything ready to be delivered. He heard Santa bellow, "Hey bie, you goin' up Somerset with those cassava pies? I told you Justin not to take anymore banana bread up Devonshire! Don't forget Reggie, I want you to give all those kids at King Edward Hospital a Goosebumps book.'' "OK Santa,'' The Oleander Santa ready for Santa. He kept boosting the engine, making a deafening noise like the roaring waves at Elbow Beach after a hurricane. It almost scared Jimmy to death! He was so excited that he didn't even flinch, but his mouth stayed wide open. The most magical moment was when one of Santa's mates, Gavin, brought in the giant cage where the longtails were being kept. The longtails had shimmery white and diamond black feathers with a beak as smooth as silk, as well as long, golden streamers tied to their necks. Gavin slowly led them out and tied each streamer onto the scooter handles. As he finished, the whole flock of longtails looked like they had come out of Aladdin's lamp. Wow! What a marvellous sight! Jimmy thought, this was incredible, it's really happening, a real Bermuda Christmas. He looked to one corner, and there he saw Santa's mates packing snorkeling gear, dolls, tennis rackets, cricket bats, running shoes, Barbies and baseball bats. Jimmy was beginning to wonder how they knew where to take the gifts. Then he spied a giant bulletin board that had all the parishes on it. Sandy's, Southampton, Paget, Hamilton, Devonshire, St.

George's, Warwick, St. David's and Pembroke. Each parish had all the kids' letters. What a great idea! Besides the giant Oleander scooter which Santa would ride personally, Santa's mates had their own scooters with big trunks in the back so that they could hold thousands of presents. Jenai mentioned, "Santa, are we going to get a special gift for Johnny Barnes?'' "Oh yes,'' answered Santa, flicking back his as clear from the animated muttering on the benches that not everybody was against permit renewal. There were, however, no volunteers to speak up in its defence. mmy. Now Jimmy was really in trouble.

How was he ever going to get back to his room? Who would believe him? He pinched himself to check to see if he was daydreaming again. They all thought he was weird but now he had really overdone it! The only thing to do was just join in the fun. So he began to pack presents and make beefpies. They all worked and worked until they couldn't stay up anymore. Jimmy decided to lay The Oleander Santa opened his eyes, he realised morning had come and he was on the floor in his room right next to the book shelf. He had a golden streamer in one hand and his flashlight in the other. Where did Santa and his mates disappear to? Would he see them later on? Would he tell anyone what he had seen? Maybe it had just been another dream! As he slowly made his way to the bathroom, he reached inside his pocket. It was filled with pink sand and there he found a little plastic scooter with a Rasta man on it. He looked at it and right on the side it said, "Merry Christmas Jimmy. Dreams really do come true.'' PHOTO Alexander Wentworth-Ping Drawing by Alexander Wentworth-Ping, age 11