[xoxoxoBruce]

WHEREAS, on an occasion immediately preceding the Nativity Festival, throughout a certain
dwelling unit, quiet descended, in which would be heard no disturbance, not even the sound
emitted by a diminutive rodent related to, and in form resembling, a rat; and

WHEREAS, the offspring of the occupants had affixed their tubular, closely knit coverings for
the nether limbs to the flue of the fireplace in the expectation that a personage known as
St. Nicholas would arrive; and

WHEREAS, said offspring had become somnolent and were entertaining nocturnal hallucinations
re: saccharine-flavored fruit; and

WHEREAS, the adult male of the family, et ux, attired in proper headgear, had also become
quiescent in anticipation of nocturnal inertia; and

WHEREAS, a distraction on the snowy acreage outside aroused the owner to investigate; and

WHEREAS, he perceived in a most unbelieving manner a vehicle propelled by eight domesticated
quadrupeds of a species found in arctic regions; and

WHEREAS, a most odd rotund gentleman was entreating the aforesaid animals by their
appellations, as follows: “Your immediate cooperation is requested, Dasher, Dancer,
Prancer, and Vixen, and collective action by you will be appreciated, Comet, Cupid, Donder,
and Blitzen”; and

WHEREAS, subsequent to the above, there occured a swift descent to the hearth by
the aforementioned gentleman, where he proceeded to deposit gratuities in the
aforementioned tubular coverings,

NOW, THEREFORE, be ye advised: That upon completion of these acts, and upon his
return to his original point of departure, he proclaimed a felicitation of the type prevalent
and suitable to these occasions, i.e., “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”