Fantastic world: Belief in Santa Claus

When I first went to Chang Gung's library, I saw a book named The Polar Express. The book talks about a boy who believe in Santa Claus. It's just a child's picture book. But its plog and beautiful cover attracted me. And most of all, the author write "for Karen" at the first page! ^^
Although it was just a coincidence, I was still be attracted by these words. So I started to read it.

The book wasn't thick, and there were exquisite pictures in every pages.

Author and Illustrator:Chris Van Allsburg

The book talks about a boy who believe in Santa. In one Christmas Eve, he stayed in bed and expected that he would heard the ringing from the Santa Claus' sled bell. After a few minutes, he didn't heard the ringing but a train's hoo-hoo sound went across his home. He got up, looked out of the window, then he saw a great, fabulous, and splendid train. The guard went off the train and asked the boy,
" Would you like to get up the train?"

The boy asked, "Go where?"

Then, the guard smiled and said," Go to the North Pole! It's the Polar Express!"

Then the boy went on the train with a beating heart. On the train, there are already plenty of children on the seat. Several minutes later, they arrived a place which is called the North Pole. There are many workers making Christmas presents. Suddenly, Santa Claus appeared with his sled which had sliver ring and the reindeers.

He stand up on the sled and ask the boy,

"Which Christmas present would you want?"

The boy answer without second thought,

"I just want the silver bell hanging on your sled."

Santa Claus surprised, but soon he smiled, then laughed, and got one bell from the sled,

"Okay! The first present in this Christmas! A silver bell!"

The boy was so excited and delight. He hold the silver bell tightly in his hand. But when the train arrived at his home, he found that the bell is gone! He was extremly sad. He want on bed with disappointment.

But, in the next morinig, he found that he got a Christmas present which was a silver bell that he got from Santa last night! He and his younger sister happily listening to the enchanted and lovely ringing from the bell.

"What a lovely sound!"

Strangely, their parents said,

"Oh. It's a pity. The bell is broken."

First, the boy felt strange and didn't know why their parents can't heard the ringing. After a few years, he found that his sister, friends, even himself also couldn't heard the sound gradually. Then, he understand that there are only one who believed in Santa Claus and had a unsophisticated mind can heard the lovely sound.

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The story has been adapted for the movie, The Polar Express, in 2004, which was directed by Tom Hanks.

Would you be touched by the story? I do! In fact, I have belived in Santa Claus since my childhood. But I always filled shamed to tell others that I believe in Santa Claus. One day I saw an address and phone number to Santa Claus. I was so exicited then. But I haven't send any mail to Santa. In fact, I just keep the address in my mind.

Joulupukin Pajakylä

Napapiiri SF-96930

Rovaniemi

TEL: 960-62096

Rovaniemi is in Finland, and every called it is the "Santa Claus Village." Near the Santa Claus' Post Office, there setted a wood guidepost. Surprisingly, Taipei is on there! And there are really many Santa Claus' assitants who wears red clothes. They help Santa recieve letters from all the children evrerywhere. Also, they help Santa prepare and deliver Christmas presents.

Hope evreyone keep believing in Santa Claus and have wide imagination in mind!