“Is it me or are bells ringing?”
Father stirred, “It’s nothing.”
Down the hall another stirred. Jarrod was seven.
Again there was the faint sound of bells. Only Jarrod heard. He knew it’d be their kitten playing with decorations.
In his dressing gown he shuffled out of the room, creeping downstairs so his parents wouldn’t hear.
Near their tree was a man in a red suit. Jarrod was about to let out a yell when the man turned. He put his finger to his mouth to signal quiet.
“Merry Christmas, Jarrod,” he said in a whisper as he disappeared.
Jarrod smiled, “No one will believe my blog.”
Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.
Ross's Writing Blog 
Dughall McCormick (@dughall)
December 6, 2011 at 08:35
Very festive, Ross! I believe!
Ross Mannell
December 6, 2011 at 20:27
Thanks for the comment.
I went for a more traditional storyline with the prompt. 🙂
Kathleen Morris
December 6, 2011 at 08:54
Hi Ross,
This is a terrific story and I can’t wait to share it with my grade two students! I know one particular boy who will especially enjoy it!
Keep up your wonderfu work. You make a difference in the lives of so many!
Kathleen Morris
Ross Mannell
December 6, 2011 at 20:29
Thanks for the comment.
When thinking of the idea for a blogging boy confronted by Santa, I thought of Jarrod. 🙂
Midlife SInglemum
December 6, 2011 at 09:17
Wonderful! But how come a seven year old has a blog?
Ross Mannell
December 6, 2011 at 20:36
Thanks for the comment.
I would share your concern if a 7 year old had an open access blog but, as many schools already know, a school or class can set up a blog and allow children to have a personal blog. These have extra security where any comments are moderated so children aren’t confronted with inappropriate comments. They are taught online security including what should never be placed online.
I visit many school/class blogs around the world and leave comments on children’s work. The blog administrators check any entries by children or comments made. The system works very well and allows some excellent interaction between classes often so far apart.
An example is something started in the UK. It’s called Quadblogging. Four schools from anywhere in the world are linked according to age. This allows them to share ideas and experiences and ensures a child’s work has an audience. I have seen some absolutely brilliant interactions. 🙂
Midlife SInglemum
December 8, 2011 at 05:57
Oh that’s good to know. I’d not heard of this before. Thanks. Now I can say your 100 word entry is unreservedly wonderful. 🙂
Jarrod
December 6, 2011 at 11:44
@ Ross,
Great post and great story.
By the way it’s Jarrod from Australia,Victoria.
I can’t beleve you wrote such a great story with my name in it! Thank you. I loved your story.
When I write a story I sometimes choose the name Jack. It is a simple name.
Happy blogging,
Jarrod
Ross Mannell
December 6, 2011 at 20:40
Thanks for the comment.
When I came up with the idea for a story about a boy who accidentally sees Santa, I wanted him to bring blogging into it. I then thought of his name and considered Jarrod because of how successful and famous your blogging has become. 🙂
Could you imagine if the event in the story really happened? Would anyone believe it if you posted on your blog? 🙂
Colin Graham
December 6, 2011 at 13:45
Only those who’ve seen will know! Did he jingle those bells deliberately…? 😉
Ross Mannell
December 6, 2011 at 20:40
Thanks for the comment.
If Santa is a little mischievous, perhaps he would ring the bells. 🙂
Sparks In Shadow
December 6, 2011 at 18:39
That’s just lovely. I love how he thinks it’s the cat! Mine would do that if I let her loose near a decorated tree.
Ross Mannell
December 6, 2011 at 20:41
Thanks for the comment.
I would hope a child might consider this rather than waiting up trying to catch Santa in the act. 🙂
gsussex
December 6, 2011 at 23:01
Very festive Ross, a delightful encounter!
Ross Mannell
December 7, 2011 at 07:50
Thanks for the comment.
It’s an encounter future Christmas stories would enjoy. 🙂
Lisa Wields Words
December 7, 2011 at 06:06
I believe!
Ross Mannell
December 7, 2011 at 07:50
Thanks for the comment.
How could we not? 🙂
Jarrod
December 7, 2011 at 06:43
@ Ross Mannell,
Thank you for replying to me. If that really happened I don’t think anyone would believe me but it would make a good post for my blog.
Have you been busy voting in the Edublog awards, I make sure I vote every day.
Happy blogging,
Jarrod
Ross Mannell
December 7, 2011 at 07:51
Thanks for the reply, Jarrod.
I have been busy voting and I know you would know some of my choices. 🙂
Jim
December 8, 2011 at 08:55
Hi Ross, great festive take on this week’s prompt. I especially like the last line – a sign of the times when the first thing they do is talk about a blog!
Ross Mannell
December 8, 2011 at 09:10
Thanks for the comment.
There really is a Jarrod and he would most assuredly add a post to his blog if this happened, truly a sign of the times. He has agreed, if he were to have such an encounter on his blog, it wouldn’t be believed. 🙂
Him Up North
December 8, 2011 at 10:13
Aw, I really like this festive contribution. Magical.
Ross Mannell
December 8, 2011 at 12:52
Thanks for the comment.
It seemed to match the season.
annahalford (@anhalf)
December 8, 2011 at 21:45
Lovely and just right for this time of year 🙂
Ross Mannell
December 8, 2011 at 21:49
Thanks for the comment.
I wanted something seasonal for the prompt. 🙂
susankmann
December 9, 2011 at 09:05
What a lovely story and perfect for this time of year
Ross Mannell
December 9, 2011 at 17:44
Thanks for the comment.
The prompt suggested this type of story to me.
jfb57
December 10, 2011 at 06:23
Well, I would believe him!! Lovely piece Ross!
Ross Mannell
December 10, 2011 at 12:58
Thanks for the comment.
I’d also believe him. 🙂
Janece
December 10, 2011 at 09:52
Ah, sweet. Reminds me of so many holidays when my children were small and believed in Santa. Those were precious times. Wonderful post!
Ross Mannell
December 10, 2011 at 13:24
Thanks for the comment.
Childhood innocence and belief can also soon be lost as they age. Memories of them in the time before disbelief are always to be treasured. 🙂
HonieMummy (honieBuk)
December 12, 2011 at 08:30
Of course I believe! There has to be a little magic – even if it’s that we want sooo much for our children to share the magic we had passed down to us from our parents.
There is enough doom and gloom and Christmas is our opportunity to capture something very special – whatever your beliefs!
I loved that you used the eyes of a child in your challenge and that he felt this way about his magical experience.
More please!
Mine (better late than never) is at http://wp.me/p1cFoK-NY
Ross Mannell
December 12, 2011 at 09:20
Thanks for the comment.
I think we should all keep a little childhood innocence in our hearts to remind us of the good things in our world. 🙂