A Wish for Santa
By
Marilyn A. Kinsella
Puppets – Penguin (P), Girl (S), Santa (SC), and 3 animals (fox (A), snowy owl (O), baby seal (C)
Props – Red outfit for penguin, toy sack
INTRODUCTION: (Storyteller before going backstage) Sally Jean now lives at the South Pole with her mother and her father. Her father is a geologist who studies the rocks and minerals of Antarctica. But Sally Jean is sad because she doesn’t think that Santa Claus will find her living at the South Pole – just opposite the North Pole where Santa lives. She is very lonely with no other children around to play with, but she does have one friend, a penguin named Pete. Her father found Pete after Pete slid down a steep glacier and broke his wing. When Sally saw Pete, she nursed him back to health, and now they are best of friends.
ACT I - the South Pole at Sally Jean's house.
S. Gee, Pete, I guess it’s just you and me for Christmas this year. With everything that’s happened, I didn’t have time to write to Santa and tell him that I’m living at the South Pole.
P. It’s a long way from the North Pole to the South Pole, Sally Jean, and for all Santa knows, there’s only us penguins and a few other animals down here, not any kids.
S. Yeah, I’ll be disappointed if Santa doesn’t make it, but I won’t let that ruin my Christmas. I’ll go make some Christmas cookies- that should at least brighten my Christmas spirit. (S.J. exits)
P. Gosh, Sally Jean sure is unhappy. She thinks that Santa won’t stop here because there are no children. She’s right, Santa has never stopped here before. Sally Jean doesn’t know this, but I sent a letter to Santa about a month ago. I memorized each and every word. It went like this:
"Dear Santa, I’m writing you from the South Pole. You have never visited here before because there have never been children here before. But I know you are for real because at midnight every Christmas, we penguins look up at the night sky and see you in a red suit riding past in your golden sleigh led by eight tiny reindeer. We see your sled full of toys. Then we hear you as you say, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight.” Gosh, I wish I could help you some night as you deliver those toys. But, that’s not why I’m writing. You see, this year I had a terrible accident. A new little girl named Sally Jean, who now lives at the South Pole, saved my life and nursed me back to health. I would like it very much if you would visit the South Pole this year. You would make a wonderful little girl very happy. Yours truly, Peter Penguin."
The problem is that Santa get oodles of letters each year. Maybe he didn’t have time to read my letter or maybe it got lost. Whatever, Santa never wrote back, and I’m afraid that he is not going to be here. I just can’t take that chance. There’s only one thing to do - dress up like Santa so Sally Jean will think I’m the real Santa. Yea, that’s the ticket! Then Sally will have the happiest Christmas ever. It shouldn’t be that hard—just some red felt and fake fur, and I’ll be on my way to being Santa. Better hurry! Christmas is almost here. (Pete exits)
ACT II
P. (enters with new red outfit on) There, I look even more like Santa than Santa. Sally Jean will never know the difference. Here comes Arty the Smarty Fox. Ho, ho, ho!
A. (sarcastically) Ho, ho, ho, ha, ha, ha! What are you trying to be? A red crayon?
P. No, I’m Santa Claus.
A. Oh yeah, you look just like Santy Claus—NOT! Listen Pete. Number one you gotta have a golden sleigh. DO you have a golden sleigh? Well, do ya?
P. No, not exactly.
A. Not exactly? Not at all! You can’t be Santa. I’d try out for the part of the red crayon if I were you. Ho, ho, ho – geesh! (exits)
P. A golden sleigh? Maybe Sally Jean won’t notice. Hey, there’s Snowy Owl. He’s so wise. I bet he’ll guess who I am right off. Hey, Snowy, guess who I am?
O. Whoooooo?
P. That’s right. Whoooo am I?
O. Let’s see. All dressed in red. You must be Little Red Riding Hood.
P. No, I’m Santa Claus.
O. Santa Claus? Santa Claus, you say. Well, well, well, I don’t mean to be rude or anything, but I’ve never seen Santa without his eight tiny reindeer.
P. That’s right. I forgot a golden sleigh with eight tiny reindeer. You don’t know where I could find such a thing, do you?
O. You could always try the North Pole.
P. Very funny, Snowy. Thanks just the same. I’ll think of something. Have a Merry Christmas! (Snowy exits)
Ok, ok, ok, I got it. What if I tell Sally Jean that I ran into some turbulence over Topeka and parachuted out and landed here at the South Pole? Hey, it’s a stretch, but it might work!
C. (seal enters) What will work?
P. Oh, hi Celia, I didn’t see you. You see, I’m all dressed up as Santa . . .
C. Santa, but you don’t have a . . .
P. Yeah, yeah, I know. I don’t have a golden sleigh with eight tiny reindeer.
C. No, actually, I was going to say that you don’t have a bag full of toys. That’s why Santa visits all the good little boys and girls: to deliver the toys.
P. Oh no, a bag full of toys! I didn’t even think of that. Now Sally Jean will never believe that I’m the real Santa.
C. If it means that much, Pete ole buddy, you can have the sack I found washed up on shore. I just use it as a sled and to lie down on at night, but if you think it will help, you’re welcome to it. There are no toys in it though just some seal fur.
P. Thanks, Celia, you’re a real pal. (Celia exits)
S. (from off stage) Pete? Where are you, Pete? It’s almost time for Christmas.
P. Oh no, it’s Sally Jean. What will she think when she sees me? No sleigh, no reindeer, and an empty sack. (Santa comes up behind Pete and Sally Jean enters on the other side of stage)
S. Wow, Santa Claus! Is it really you? How did you ever find me?
P. (to audience) Gosh, she really believes I’m Santa. I . . . .
SC. Ho, ho, ho!
P. (turns) What, Santa Claus?
S. Santa, I think I’ll just have to pinch myself awake. Please tell me how you knew I was here.
SC. Well, I received a letter from a friend of yours. He told me how you helped him out by nursing him back to health till he was all better. Besides, I couldn’t forget you, Sally Jean.
S. A friend! Why, that could only be Pete! (to Pete) Thank you, Pete. You’re the best-est friend in the whole world.
SC. If you look under the tree, Sally Jean, I think you’ll find some gifts with your name on them.
S. Thanks, Santa. I hope there was something in that pack of yours though for my good buddy Pete.
SC. Well, from what I understand, Pete didn’t want anything in my bag. He had only one wish for Christmas. Do you remember what that was, Pete?
P. In the letter I did say something about helping deliver some toys with you.
SC. I’ve had some problems this evening, Pete. Seems my main elf, Sparky, is down with the 24-hour bug. And since you do seem dressed for the occasion . . .
S. Why, yes, Pete, look at you. All dressed up like one of Santa’s elves. You even have a bag. Nobody would ever guess that you’re Pete the Penguin.
P. What do you mean?
SC. What I mean, Pete, is that I’d be honored if you would ride along on my sleigh and help me deliver the rest of my toys. I’ll have you back before morning. Is that ok, Sally Jean?
S. Sure!
SC. Okay, then, let’s go. Lots to do yet tonight. You remember the words, don’t you, Pete?
P. Yes . . . . Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night! (Santa and Pete exit)
S. In honor of Santa and Pete, let’s sing “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.” Oh you better watch out . . . .
. . . . . Merry Christmas everyone.
THE END
