And how they did sing! The parents and friends smiled to see the real joy that shone in the face of each little singer. Miss Pinky Pig seated them quietly before she said, "Now Brown-bacon Pig will recite 'Christmas in Pigland'."
And after songs and drills and recitations, a jingle of bells brought all the little folks to their feet.
"O-h-h!" they cried, scarce knowing how to believe their eyes. For there, peeping around the big, sparkling Christmas tree, stood Santa Pig!
And you should have seen his pack! It was simply spilling out candy boxes and oranges, blocks for the boys and paper dolls for the girls!
"Well, little ones," said Santa Pig, as he shook hands with each one. "Now I must leave you. Be good another year. You have the very best teacher in all Pigland. Merry Christmas! And good-night to one and all!"
With that, Santa Pig, his bells jingling a merry farewell, left the room and—I suppose—jumped into his magic sleigh and flew away over the housetops!
Then Miss Pinky Pig came to the platform and invited them all to stay for cakes and sweet milk. What a buzzing as all the little pigs wished each other a Merry Christmas! And such jolly laughter pealed forth as they showed each other the gifts Santa had brought!
"Come, Little-wee and Blacky," smiled Mother Grunty a half-hour later, as she started for the cloak room. "If we do not get home and to bed, Santa Pig will not have time to fill our stockings."
So cheerfully home and happily to bed went Blacky-ears and Little-wee. And before you could wink twice, off to dreamland they slipped—a dreamland full of sparkling evergreen trees and music and gifts.
There was only one little fellow disappointed that night. And his name was Bad Boy Mischief! He had not had one minute's chance to sit on anyone's shoulder or to whisper in anyone's ear. Somehow, he never is wanted when everyone is happy and busy doing something to make others glad.