Possibly, I'm Insane

kleoette

“I think,” Oliver said, “it should be fairly obvious for children to determine that there’s no such thing as Father Christmas.” He said this thoughtfully, puzzling it through. “He doesn’t bring everything anyone asks for. And he very obviously brings more presents for rich children than poor children. Surely it’s easy for everyone to figure out.” He paused and looked at John. “But they don’t figure it out.”

“Dad would say it’s because people are stupid,” John remarked.

“I think…” Oliver considered. “I think maybe they want to believe. So they do.”

John smiled. “Yes.”

“And also people are stupid.”

kleoette

“I think it’s preposterous,” Oliver said. Preposterous was four-year-old Ollie’s favorite word.

“What is this time?” John asked, because everything was preposterous these days.

“The idea that a fat man could deliver all the presents in the world in a single night being pulled by reindeer. Coming down everyone’s chimney. It’s preposterous. Why doesn’t everyone else see it?”

“Maybe they like to believe in a bit of magic.” John regarded this little miracle child fondly. “I know I believe in a bit of magic.”

Oliver huffed.

But he didn’t tell his classmates there was no such thing as Father Christmas.