“Santa,” exclaimed Emily. “I can’t believe you’re here.” She rushed toward the jolly old man and leapt into his arms.
He squeezed her tightly. “Hello Emily, how are you?”
“I’ve been better.”
“Really? What’s wrong?” said Santa warmly.
“There’s a bully at school. He’s always picking on me. He says there’s no such thing as Santa Claus.”
The jolly old man thought for a moment. Then he asked, “Why does that bother you?”
Emily’s mouth dropped open. “Doesn’t it bother you?”
“Ho! Ho! Ho!” laughed Santa. “No, it doesn’t. In fact, it helps me.”
“I don’t understand,” said Emily, shaking her head.
“Well, I’m a spy, right?”
“Of course,” Emily replied.
“To be a good spy, your identity has to be a secret.”
The girl nodded.
“The easiest way for me to keep it a secret is for people to believe I don’t exist,” said Santa. “Wouldn’t you agree?”
Emily smiled. “Yeah!”
“So don’t get mad if someone says I’m not real. They may not know it, but they’re doing me a favor.”
“I would never say it,” declared Emily. “Even if it does help.”
It was Santa’s turn to smile. “I wouldn’t want you to. But there’s no reason to get angry with those who don’t believe.”
“I won’t get mad,” Emily promised.
“Good,” said Santa. “As for your bully, don’t be too hard on him. A lot of the people we don’t get along with aren’t as bad as we think.”
“He seems pretty mean to me.”
“Maybe, but if you get to know him, you might change your mind.”
Emily scratched her head. “I guess. My mom always says not to judge other people.”
“She’s right,” agreed Santa. “Now, we’d better get going. It’s time for another mission. Your partner, Paul, is waiting in my sleigh.”
“Okay!” Emily exclaimed. “Where are we going?”
“To the Badger State,” replied Santa Claus.
“Huh? Where’s that?”
Santa grinned as he said, “Wisconsin.”
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