Raphael

Deer Jello Fat Man,
Is yer belly realy ful of jely? And is yer nose realy a chery? If dat is true you beter watch out cause my baby brother Mikey wil eat you. He eats anything dat is fod. Bye the way, I wanna some army men.
Yer Frend Rafiel age 6

Dear Raphie,

Fat isn't what you want to call someone who is going to bring you gifts. Besides I'm not really fat, I'm big and comfortable.

Now you don't have to worry about your little brother eating me, cause he would know better than to eat Santa Claus. But to answer your question, my belly is not made of jelly and I don't have a cherry for a nose. That's how the author described me in that story.

The Jolly Big Man,
Santa

Dear Jolly Red Man,

I'm glad you wear red cause it's my favorite color and I wear it too. But that's not why I'm writing to you. I'm writing to tell you that you need to give Mikey coal for Christmas.

Do you know why? Cause he was bad. He broke my favorite racing car. He just took it and threw it against the wall.

Looking for fair,
Raph age 9

Dear Raphie,

I know Mikey broke your favorite car, but you have to understand that you have been warn many times by your father to put it away so he wouldn't get to it. And I'm not saying that what your little brother did was nice or should be over looked, but I hardly think he shouldn't get any presents for Christmas.

But don't worry, I've brought you another one. This time I think he'll have a hard time breaking this one. Of course you should still put it away when you're done playing with to be on the safe side.

Your Toy Replacement Man,
Santa

Hey Big Red Old Guy,

The name is Raphael, not Raphie.

I'm writing to tell you that I'm not going to write to you anymore, cause it's time to realize that you ain't real.

Sure it was great believing in you when I was kid, but I'm a teenager now and it's time that I grew up.

Besides, you are only for humans anyways. I mean, why would you waste your time on a couple of freaks.

Don't be expecting to hear from me anytime soon,
Raphael age 13

Dear Raphael,

I will never get use to all my children growing up, it's always so hard to keep them believing in me. I just want you to know that nobody has to stop believing just because they are growing up. Believing in things you don't see is what keeps hope alive.

Now what is this talk about wasting time on freaks? I've checked my list many times and have yet to find anyone matching the description of 'freak'. I'll have you know that there are more mutants out there than you know and I deliver to each and everyone of them too.

Hoping to hear from you one day,
Santa

Dear Santa,

I know I said that I would never write to again, that I said I was too old to believe in you any more. And I know, that you know, that I've been telling my brothers they need to grow up and stop believing in you.

But do you want to know something I've learned not too long ago? I think the real turtle who needed to grow up, was me. I've also found out that over they years, by trying not to believe in you any more, the holidays don't quite have the spark they use to have.

Maybe believing you isn't what makes someone mature or not. Maybe it's how they act to other and to themselves.

I guess what I'm trying to says is that no matter how old I'll get I'll still believe in you, because believing in you is like a silver lining in the darkest of clouds.

I'm sorry for what I said,
Raphie age 16

P.S. Can you do something to help Leo? He could really use you.

Dear Raphie,

It's nice to hear from you once again. I've always known that deep down inside, there was still a small spark of belief still within you.

See, you have to understand that everyone goes through the 'I'm too old for season fable characters' phase and you are no exception. But also know that those who truly love to believe come back soon or later. Sometimes they come back when something bad happens to them and sometimes when they have kids of their own.

Sorry it had to be something bad. But not to worry, no matter how bad things get there will always be good waiting in the end.

Glad to have you back,
Santa

By the way, I don't think I'm the one that can help your eldest brother. (If you know what I'm saying.)

A/N: I have to admit, this one turned out a bit harsher than I imaged in the beginning. But as all thing do, it has come to a pretty nice ending. Don't you think?