'Twas the Night Before Christmas in the Sunset Arms
Not a sound could be heard, so no need for alarms
All the boarders slept soundly, wrapped up in bed
Phil and Gertie had no need to stay up instead
So all in the Boarding house were happily dreaming
Even Oskar, no doubt greedily scheming
But one resident couldn't sleep quite so easy
Following from a day with some hurtful teasing
The boy with the football-shaped head still believed
In old Jolly Saint Nick and what he achieved
But his friends weren't so faithful, and thought it a joke
Even Gerald, his best friend, agreed when he spoke,
"Arnold, my man, Santa Claus isn't real"
No attention being paid to how he should feel
Hurt by the laughter, with a turn, Arnold ran
With the speed that only his legs can
So, throughout the day, this troubled his mind
While the gesture that Gerald had made was unkind,
It made Arnold wonder if there was no truth
To the tale he had heard throughout his youth
While his grampa assured him that the big man was real,
Even saying he met him, Arnold did not feel
Assured by the tale, so even as he slept
Deep in his mind, the question was kept
But that was put on hold when his eyes opened wide
He heard a bump downstairs- was someone inside?
Slowly, he stood and crept down the stairs,
Careful not to give any of the boarders some scares
As he neared the living room, a groan could be heard
Had his grampa gotten up without even a word?
He rounded the corner, and reaching the doorway
He looked in and gasped, not knowing what to say
Crouched down by the tree was a man in a suit
That was red and white and had a matching hat to boot
His beard was white and long on his chin
His belly was large, hardly being held in
He went by many names all over the planet
And his tale had been told- we all understand it
Yes, Santa Claus himself was there by his tree
Arnold's faith was reassured, his heart filled with glee
As he put down the presents he kept in his sack
He jolted upwards, feeling pain in his back
Arnold felt a need to help, so without hesitation
He walked up to Santa to ask him a question
"Erm, sir?" He asked. "Forgive my plight,
But I heard you in pain. Are you feeling alright?"
"Oh, Arnold! Sorry for waking you from your slumber
Head on back to bed, I can manage this lumber"
Undeterred to help, he asked him again.
"Do you want some help?" Santa couldn't complain.
"Well, my back is aching a little, I suppose.
If you wish, you can help, but I will not impose."
Arnold helped without delay, putting presents on the ground
Help from such a kind boy, to Santa it did astound
As the sacks contents emptied, Santa gave him his thanks.
"My dear boy, if only more like you were in my ranks."
Santa started to climb the chimney, but gave a slip
With a grunt, he started to rub at his hip.
Arnold, concerned, helped him up, and would then say,
"You can use my skylight to get up to your sleigh"
So, the pair went up steps, stopping when there was a shout
"Is that you, Arnold?" Phil asked. "Why are you up and about?"
"I just needed to use the bathroom," Arnold lied
"Eh, sure go ahead," Phil called back, satisfied
They quickly reached the roof, where Arnold widened his eyes
For up on the roof was another surprise
All eight reindeer, bar Rudolph, were in front of the sleigh
Santa smiled at his innocence and knew what to say
"Don't be shy," Santa told him, gesturing to approach them
"They don't bite, they're kind as long as you respect them"
Hesitantly, Arnold walked up to the herd
Gently, he stroked them, unable to say a word
They responded positively to the young boy's affection
Responding in kind, nuzzling him without rejection
He laughed as it tickled him. "This is amazing!"
Santa chuckled. "Yes, they do love getting praising.
Now, forgive me, Arnold, but I need to depart."
Arnold nodded, understanding, but he felt a heavy heart
Santa saw this and smiled, so he had an idea
"Tell you what, Arnold. Do you think you could help me this year?"
Arnold blinked in shock. "A-are you serious, sir?"
Santa nodded. "With my back pain, it would help if you were
To join me tonight on my annual delivery
Not to mention your indisputable reliability."
It was true- Arnold helped people all year long
Not on a scale like this, but Arnold went along.
"I would be honoured," he answered, grinning wide
"Thank you so much, dear boy. Hop on, and let's ride!"
So, Arnold climbed into the magic sleigh
"Care to start our journey? You know what to say."
"Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen!"
The reindeer took off, carrying the sleigh
The sight below was amazing, Arnold didn't know what to say!
Seeing Hillwood from on high made him feel alive
It was a dream come true- his faith could survive
So, Arnold helped Santa to deliver the gifts
Putting them under the trees, he and Santa took shifts
From house to house, they travelled through the night
Completing work swiftly to remain out of sight
As the night travelled on, they soon reached a place
That Arnold recognised, but more so, the inhabitants face
As they landed on the roof of his school friend Helga's building
Santa, rather than presents, had some coal he was wielding
Arnold asked, "isn't Helga getting a present?"
"Sadly, she made my naughty list," Santa said with lament.
"That can't be right! Helga has done so much this year
She's helped me oh so much- I enjoy having her near!
I know that she puts up a front as a bully,
But that isn't the real her! You have to believe me!
I owe Helga so much, so sir, I implore you-
Please change your mind- you must know that it's true!"
Santa smiled at Arnold. "You're such a kind boy.
She is lucky to know you, you bring her such joy."
Arnold blushed. "Actually, that's what she brings me."
A loud chuckle escaped Santa's lips. "Oh, I see."
So, he swapped the coal for some gifts from his sack
And he went down the chimney, placed them inside, and came back.
The two continued their journey throughout the night
As Arnold grew tired, the end was in sight
They travelled from country to country worldwide
Arnold saw Rome, Paris, Tokyo and more on his ride
Eventually, after all the gifts were delivered,
They returned to Hillwood, while Arnold shivered.
"Cold, are we?" Santa chuckled. "Well, you're home once again.
Thank you so much for helping, this night I'll retain
As a memory forever. Now, go and get some rest
For, Christmas is tomorrow, so sleep, I would suggest."
"I'm glad I could help you," Arnold said, still full of joy.
"My dear Arnold, you truly are a special boy."
Arnold gave him a hug, and the reindeer as well,
Before going inside, cold from the snow that fell.
He waved as the sleigh took off once again
No one would believe this story, so he chose to refrain
Why tell them, if keeping it to himself was more special?
He yawned. Sleep really did seem essential.
As he lay down and shut his eyes, he dreamed of what would come.
All the while, Santa flew, letting out a hum.
While he neared the North Pole, he looked to his right
And to his surprise, a present was in sight.
Picking it up, he looked at the ticket
"To Santa, from Arnold" he said as he read it
He smiled to himself, his heart's warmth grew
"Merry Christmas Arnold," he looked up, "and to all of you too."