Holiday Story Contest

A message all the way from the North Pole! Watch Santa share the winning entries from our talented writers in the South Bay community. Congratulations to our Holiday Story Contest winners and a special thank you to all participants, our judges, the Torrance Public Library, and City of Torrance!

Ages 0 - 5

Lego Christmas by Jeron Del Rosario (5 years old)

Once upon a time there was a person called Jeron. Jeron had some Legos and played with Leilah, his sister. Leilah and Jeron wrote a list down of Lego pieces that they still wanted from Santa. And they wanted them to be Star Wars pieces. Santa Claus loved the list and gave more Lego Star Wars pieces as they wanted. Finally the box of the Legos came to the house. And, they loved the Lego pieces so they built all of the ships and Lego guys and helmets. They were all of the Star Wars Lego guys from the movie. And even Santa Claus gave them all of the pieces that they missed. Santa loved the appreciation, so he gave them the Star Wars set up that the kids wanted.

Ages 6 - 11

The Halloween/Christmas Battle by Ethan Harmon (8 years old)

In a spooky castle lives King Halloween. He did not like Christmas one bit. In the North Pole, Santa ate cookies and thought how horrible Halloween is. Then Santa thought, "maybe I should destroy King Halloween! That would be perfect!"

In the spooky castle, King Halloween was ready to destroy Santa so there would be no-more Christmas! Santa got a big cookie blaster and 100,000 elves with candy cane swords! King Halloween got spider shooters and 100,000 skeletons with swords made of steel. Then, they came to each other and battled for centuries! Then, Santa said, "none of us have won, so why don't we keep our holidays? I mean, they both make kid happy."

"Yes, I suppose you are right," said King Halloween. They both agreed. Then, Halloween and Christmas were always a holiday for ever...I think.

A Very Merry Christmas by Jessica Hou (9 years old)

On that day, every child in the world was very happy to meet the white soft snow that fell on the ground that day. All was well. But there were three children who were more joyful than the others. Their names were Jessica, Suri, and Gloria. These three children loved playing in the snow. That Christmas day was probably a day they would never forget. never will they forget it. As they came out the doors, they decided to go to a park to play. As they arrived at the park, they saw a little teddy bear with a red bow on its neck.

The teddy bear had big soft fur, and a small brown nose like coffee. Its ears were very fluffy and the bow was the color of bright red. The three children decided to see why the teddy bear was there or who left it there. So they picked up the teddy bear and walked into the park's sidewalk area.

"Maybe this teddy bear is Santa Claus' teddy bear." Gloria wondered.

"Or it could be a child from another universe's teddy bear." Suri wondered.

"I'll name that teddy, Beartic." Jessica said out loud. It was time to head back home.

"I want to send a letter to my friend who lives in Canada." Gloria said.

So we headed our way to the post office. At the post office we met this girl who was next to her mom By the look on her face, she was sad and crying. She kept on screaming and crying the words, "Rosey, Rosey, where are you?"

But we didn't understand what she meant. After we slided the mail into the slot, the little girl looked at the teddy bear we were holding. "Mommy, Mommy, that is Rosey!"

The mom looked at us then asked us. "Hello children, where did you find that teddy bear?"

"uhmmmm we found it at the park." Suri said.

"Oh my gracias, we found Rosey!" "Here you go." Gloria gave the little teddy bear back to the girl.

"Yay! Rosey!" she screamed out in joy. That night the day of Christmas, we enjoyed our day together and loved that Christmas time.

The Octopus' Big Day on Christmas by Leilah Del Rosario (7 years old)

It was finally Christmas day! And the octopus was supposed to sing an awesome song for Christmas but he didn’t know what to sing. Jingle Bells was nice and also there were a bunch of other songs that he also thought about. He was worried though and thought, “What if I did my own song? But I will mess it up. Or I will forget.” So, he decided to ask some of his friends. The whale was too busy setting up lights. His friend, the fish, was too busy putting up his seaweed balls on his seaweed tree. And his friend, the star fish, was too busy being at the top of the Christmas tree. And then the octopus thought, I guess if I make up a song, it won’t be too bad. Then, he had a brilliant idea! He came up with the perfect song and he loved it. Everyone did in fact. It went like this, “Jingle bells, jingle bells, life under the sea is so much fun with me and my friends, this is where we like to be!” And then, the octopus said, “Everyone sing!” Then they all sang and had a wonderful Christmas dinner of kelp and kelp cakes for dessert.

Christmas Day by Meriam Gerges (7 years old)

It was a few days before Christmas . I was excited. I wrote my Christmas list. I wanted a iPad, rainbow corn, trip to Hawaii and a rock drawing set. I put my list under the tree so Santa can get the things I want on my Christmas list. The next day I woke up I ate cookies and milk like Santa because I was so excited for Christmas. So after three days I changed my wish list and I counted the days. These days have been so slow. Then I go back to my first wish list and I decide that I want it again. I started tracking Santa on Google until Christmas eve. In Christmas eve I wake up extra early at night. On Christmas eve I prepared cookies and milk for Santa. I dress up in a fancy dress for family gathering.

I played with my friends and ate with my friends and family. Last look before I slept that night was for the tree to check my wish list before I slept. Then I went to sleep. I couldn't sleep. I was excited. The next day I ran to the Christmas tree and I saw a lot of presents. I ran to wake up my sister and I was screaming. My sister woke up. I ran to the Christmas tree with her. I find a lot of beautiful colored boxes. I was thinking inside. My sister bought me a gift card. My mom got me a box of chocolate. My dad got me a toy and my Santa got me my wish list. I can't believe Santa got me all these presents. I spent all day playing with my new presents. At night I was thinking I didn't want this day to end. I am thinking at night to give some LOL surprise toys to the kids that didn't get much toys like me so I feel so happy for giving some LOL surprises. I wish all my life is Christmas. I really enjoy my Christmas. I hope all the kids have a good Christmas. I can't wait for my next year Christmas.

The Christmas Monster by Owen Harmon (7 years old)

It was Christmas night. Everything was quiet except that noise under my bed. I got out my spoon and a bowl, and mixed and stirred. I made holiday cookies. I got a stick and net, and also a plate. I put the plate and cookies under my bed and set a trap. At night I heard, "Cookie!" Snap! I rushed over and screamed, "I caught Santa!" The end.

The Spooky Haunted House by Shosei Yorozu (8 years old)

Once upon a time 2 children were riding their fast bikes. There name was Ben and Colin. One day they went to far and it started to get dark. When they stopped, they were next to a big gate. They knocked a few times and nonthin happened. When they were getting on there bikes a loud screeching sound when they were going take off. The massive gates had opened. Ben and Collin went inside the front yard with their bikes. They knocked on the door. There was a massive door knocker on the door. A butler opened the door. The butler showed them around the haunted house. It began to get darker every minute. Collin said we better go back home. They did not know if the butler was a ghost or a person and they stayed there because they were curious. An hour later Ben and Collin tried to escape but the butler caught them. The butler chased Ben and Collin until they hid in a passage that no one knows even the butler. The door needed a key to go out. They looked around the incredibly old room. They found a purple crate. They found an Envelope inside. They read it. It was a clue of finding the key. It said, oh no it is raining look high in the sky. They found the key when they looked up. They jumped as high as they can jump then Ben got it. When Ben and Collin went out of the room and went to the door. The butler said wait. You found the key that us ghost need. Since you found the key I am going to give the house to you. Ben and Colin were surprised. They said we will be right back. 30 minutes later they came back with there parents. Ben and Collin parents met the butler. The butler said I am going to give the house to you. And then the butler faded away slowly. 1 month later they made the haunted house their home. And then they lived happily ever after.

The Children of Joy by Sophia Zhang (11 years old)

The grandfather clock tolls with a deafening chime while a brilliant star shoots through the sky - it’s midnight. I open my eyes for the very first time, and everything is so defined. I could perceive every speck of ash, observe every night sky. This was all so new, as I saw each dust fleck dance around each other.

I look through a mirror and see a statuesque creature stare back at me. I touch my head, and so does this creature. My mind reacts with horror, as I reach the conclusion of who this creature is. I stare at my cream-colored skin, and I reluctantly touch my face - so indisputably smooth. What creature am I?

I crawl around the holiday shelves as I observe a blizzard through a window. Strange. I remember yesterday as a scorching day in July. As I continue climbing up the enormous shelves, I saw something that I will never forget, even years later - creatures exactly like the one I saw of myself in the mirror smiling down at me. They seem to radiate joy to me, even during all the terror.

One of the creatures in the front says in a soothing voice, “Alas, the final one has arrived.” The others murmur in agreement, and I notice that one relaxed its shoulders.

Instantaneously, hundreds of questions race through my mind. I stepped toward the creatures on the shelf, and demand to them, “The final one? What am I? What have you done to me?!”

Again, the one in the front, or the Leader as I call it, chuckled and replies, “Do not be afraid, young one. We are midnight elves, or as we prefer to say, the “Children of Joy”. You, young one, have been chosen through The Master’s prophecies to become an elf.”

I stand there rooted to the ground for a second. My voice falters, “B-but, who is The Master.”

Many elves sigh. Even one elf in the back said, “She really doesn’t know anything. Huh?” Another one argued, “Take it easy on her, Mell. She’s a new one.” Then she turned towards me and says, “The Master is Santa. We help him deliver the Christmas presents to the good children. We deliver them instead of The Master because we are soundless on our feet!” I just nod faintly since my mind was much too busy taking all the new information in.

Soon after, I follow the Leader Elf down the elf shelf, and into the “presents room”. The room is filled with wondrous presents, all wrapped and ready to go. “Wow.” I breathe in astonishment.

Suddenly, I hear an alarm clock ringing persistently near my left ear. Before I have time to look left, I’m falling… Th-dunk! A brilliant light streams through the window, and I’m lying on a bed - in my regular bedroom. I shut the alarm, smiling to myself, as I prepare for school.

A Strange Journey to the North Pole by Will Collard (11 years old)

I woke up one day, on a bench cold and hungry. Many people were walking by, but none of them stopped to talk to me, or help me. They wanted nothing to do with me. I tried to get a few more minutes of sleep and when I closed my eyes, I felt like I had a headache. I woke up to see if there was an earthquake, but now i’m on the ground. “Hello!?” No one answered me. I decided to go explore a little more, and I saw rocks surrounding me. I felt snow coming down to my head, and began to look up. Something jumped down beside me. It looked like it was a reindeer, but everyone knows they don't exist. As he walks around the cave, I see snow following behind him. He jumps up into the air, and starts flying.

He flies straight back down to me, and starts to lay down. I hop on him and he flies straight up to the hole at the top of the cave. We were nearing the hole when he suddenly dropped straight down. The next thing I know is that I am suddenly getting pulled out of a puddle of water by a reindeer. The reindeer looked straight up at the hole in the cave. I looked at him, almost started laughing and said, “No, are you kidding me, NO.” He didn’t understand what I said and hit me with his horns. I jumped on, certain that we would not make it. As we were nearing the cave, I imagined us falling to the ground, but instead we made it through the hole. We were flying through flower fields, when I realized that there was snow straight ahead of us. The reindeer was thinking of going to the snow. When we got there we were greeted by elves. They brought me inside and gave me some hot cocoa and some coffee cake. As I was devouring the hot cocoa and coffee cake, I wondered what else could be here besides elves, and really good food. I walked into many different rooms, but one room had a very nice sleigh. On the front, it said “ Santa” I then realized I was at the north pole! I decided to look for someone/ something that could help me. “Ho-ho-ho Ronald Butler, please report to the main office.” I walked up to an elf, to ask where the main office was, but all they said was, “What’s your name?” I then walked away, In search of an elf that would actually be nice to me. I went to the one that gave me hot cocoa and coffee cake and said, “ Excuse me, do you know where the main office is?” He immediately answered, “ Aren't you the one I gave cocoa to?” “ Yes I am.” The kind elf seemed like he was willing to help me. He asked me, “ What did you say your name was?” “ Ronald Butler.” “This way.” I followed.

Ages 12 - 17

The Christmas Surprise by Marvy Rezk (12 years old)

It was a week before christmas. I was on my desk thinking of Christmas presents to give to my family. My grandparents arrived two hours ago and they aren't hard to buy presents for, so I don't know why it's taking me so long to get something for them. I mean, they would probably be happy with anything but I wanted to get something special. I decided to get them each a sweater and letter. I took a break from presents and read my favorite book series, harry potter. When I stopped reading, I noticed I had been reading for three hours! So i went to bed and got some sleep. A week later, it was christmas day! When my grandparents opened their presents, they loved it! I got my sister a pink stuffed animal, my father a mug, and my mother a pack of coffee beans. They all liked their gifts. When I opened my gift from my parents, I got a sweater and a new pair of vans shoes! My sister got me a bag of peppermint. When I opened my grandparents present it was an odd keychain. When I asked what it was they said...... Hermione Granger's time turner! If you didn't know, Hermione is a character from Harry Potter. When I went to my room to put it in my backpack, the keychain wouldn't open! I thought that maybe I should throw it on the floor and see what happens. When I did, this huge time machine opened. I was speechless and confused. My first intention was to use it. But I have to think of an excuse for my parents. So I said to them that I would be with my friend. When I went to my room to get my stuff for "the trip" I unlocked the window and ran to say goodbye. They were watching me leave, so I started to walk towards her house. When they looked away, I ran back to my house, opened the window, and turned on the time machine. There were three different time zones, Harry Potter's house, Hogwarts School, and Gryffindor common room. I picked Hogwarts and I was pushed violently into the time machine and through the floor! When I made it I ran into a wall. It was the doors to Hogwarts! When I went in, Professor McGonagall called my name for the sorting hat! I was either going to be Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, or Ravenclaw! I sat down and the hat yelled, GRYFFINDOR! Before I fell asleep I thought, am I part of the series? I went to page 34 of the first book in the series, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone. My name was on page 34 of a book . I couldn't believe my eyes! The next day I wasn't in the Gryffindor Common Room anymore. I checked the time, It was 9 and the date was December 18 and I was in my room. I guess I was only dreaming, unless...

The Ghost Story by Gregor Si (14 years old)

One day there were 4 high school boys walking home from school. Albert, Barry, Charlie, and Danny. They were walking home after a long day at school on a Friday afternoon and were excited about the weekend. This goes on until Albert brings up the topic about ghosts. Albert believes in ghosts while Barry, Charlie, and Danny do not and won’t believe in the fact that ghosts aren’t real. The group then parted ways.

Albert went to Barry’s house later in the afternoon. He told Barry if you pass my test. I will truly believe that ghosts don't exist. Barry said what is your test. Ok Barry on Sunday, Bring a coffin, go to the old part of the cemetery at the edge of town near the woods at 9:00 pm, and lie down in it. Be sure you are in the coffin by 10:00 pm. Lie in the coffin till morning. Then Albert left.

He went to Charlie’s house and he told him I do not believe you are not scared of ghosts. I will believe you if you pass my test. So Charlie said what shall I do to convince you. Albert said to him ” go to the old part of the cemetery at the edge of town near the woods at 11:00. You will see a coffin with a dead person. Light a candle weep for the dead guy in the coffin as if he is your very dear relative. Stay 6 feet away from the coffin. Do it till morning.

Then he went to Danny’s house and told him “I do not believe you are not afraid of ghosts until you pass my test.” Danny said what should I do to convince you? Danny, go to the old part of the cemetery at the edge of town near the woods by 12 o’clock midnight. You will see a guy with a lighted candle weeping for a dear dead relative. Cover yourself with a white bed sheet and stay in a dark place but just bright enough to see the white sheet but not your feet . Spook the guy weeping for a dude in a coffin. Danny doesn’t want to do it but Albert insisted so Danny obliged.

On Sunday the time comes. Barry gets to the town cemetery. By 10:00 PM, he is lying in the coffin in the old part of the cemetery near the woods. He thinks the coffin is nice and comfy.

Charlie came to the cemetery at 11:00 PM. He lit the candle and began weeping.

At 12 o’clock midnight Danny finally came. He hid near the gravestones with a white sheet covering himself. “Ooooooooo!” Danny spooks. Barry who was busy weeping did not hear him. So Danny Said louder ‘Ooooooooo.’ He made sure he was loud enough to scare the person who’s weeping. The weeping guy heard the “OoOo” sound and looked around. He saw a white sheet floating and moving towards him about 20 feet away. “Ah! G-ghost, ghost” Charlie cried and ran away.

Barry, in the coffin, also heard the ‘ooooo’ too, he was thinking what was going on. Then the person weeping terrified shouted “Ghost, ghost” and ran away. Barry sat up in his coffin, looked around to check what was going on. In the candle light the fake ghost saw the corpse sit up. He said “huh?” The dead sat up, he was scared and ran away. Barry who sat up looked around. and saw the white sheet floating in the dark says: “Oh heck no, I’m outta here!!!”

On Monday the boys met in school again. All four then agreed ghosts do exist.

Ages 18 and Above

Haukea and the Christmas Aloha by Ellen Kuupua (23 years old)

“Mele Kalikimaka (Mel-lei Kah-lee-key-ma-kah), Haukea (How-kay-ah)!”

Haukea's eyes opened to the gentle December morning. 'It's Christmas!' she thought with excitement as the soft ocean breeze drifted across her bedroom. Outside Haukea could hear the quiet chirping of sea birds and smell the fragrant plumeria and hibiscus flowers still wet from last night's rainfall. It would be a wonderful Christmas indeed!

Standing in the doorway of her bedroom was Haukea's mother, her warm face glowing bright with Christmas joy. “Get up, honey girl!” her mother said. “It's time for Christmas malasadas!” Haukea sprang from her bed and dressed quicker than ever! Every Christmas morning, Haukea's mother would take her to get malasadas from Mr. Tanaka's bakery down the street. Haukea could already taste the crispy, fluffy fried confection coated generously with a layer of snow-white sugar. All year Haukea longed for sweet Christmas malasadas, and had saved every penny she earned especially for today.

With money in hand, Haukea and her mother walked the short distance to the bakery in the misty Kaimuki (Kai-moo-key) air. Although it was still early in the morning, a long line had already formed outside of Mr. Tanaka's bakery. Delicious smells of malasadas, macadamia nut cookies, and chewy bubble tea wafted through the air as Haukea stood in line, waiting for the moment when it would be her turn.

Suddenly, the chiming sound of a bell rang out joyfully against the clatter and bustle of Mr. Tanaka's bakery. Haukea turned around and saw a woman wearing the most beautiful red dress standing next to the bakery door. In front of the woman was a small green pot with a big sign that read “Donate to the children's hospital today! Help give our children the happiness of Christmas!” Next to the sign was a picture collage of all the children at the hospital, their smiling, happy faces calling to Haukea, wishing her a Merry Christmas. Malasadas forgotten, Haukea tugged at her mother's sleeve, looked down at her purse full of malasada money, and asked “Can I give my money to the children at the hospital? I want their Christmas to be the happiest ever!”

“Of course you can, honey girl,” her mother replied.

Haukea ran up to the woman and shyly placed her money in the green basket. With a great big smile and a nod, the woman said “Mahalo, and Mele Kalikimaka!” As she ran back to her mother, Haukea's heart felt lighter than ever, and even though she had no money for malasadas, it was alright because she knew she had done a kind thing.

“Remember Haukea,” her mother said. “No matter how much aloha you give, there is always room for more. Kindness and good deeds are gifts that should be shared with others, especially on Christmas!” And with that Haukea's mother presented her with a warm malasada fresh from the oven! As she took a bite of her malasada, Haukea couldn't help but think “This is the best Christmas ever!”

A Story About My Son, Matt Kern by Jeff Kern

This story is about our son, Matt Kern – 14 years, who demonstrated kindness to our Heroes in our Community.

We were at our local Starbucks before our round of golf one morning. We love the Slow roasted Ham & Swiss. While we were waiting to order, he notices a sign that would donate food to our Healthcare Heroes when we purchase any large bag of coffee. As we got to the counter, he asked, “May I have a bag of coffee so we can feed hospital Workers”? I thought to myself, “what a great gesture.” As I proceeded to pay for the food, his special off menu drink and the bag of coffee, he takes out $20 out of his own pocket and pays for the bag of coffee himself.

Once we made our way to the lobby to wait for our order with the coffee bag in his hand. Matthew hands the bag of coffee to a Sheriff Deputy and says, “Thank you for all that you guys do, here’s some coffee for your entire station.”

When we got inside the car, I asked him, “I would have paid for it and why did you do all that”?

He replied, “Dad, that $20 bucks will go a long way. Worth it!!!” Love the response!

Matthew, Thank you for your generosity and gratitude. You are my Kindness Hero!!!

It Was Christmas Night, 1944... by JoAnne LeBaron

My sister, Mom, Dad, and I were waiting for the Greyhound bus at a small gas station on route 78 in Illinois. After 30 minutes the bus pulls in and we begin to board. Somehow my sister and I were pushed to the front and the driver told us to climb on and take the seat across from him. I Was thrilled, as we could see everything out the big windshield and it began to snow. My Mom and Dad took a seat further back in the bus.

When everyone was loaded the driver closed the door Saying “ Well folks, we have a snowy, slippery, drive ahead of us, but don’t worry, I plan to take it easy and get all of you safely to Canton and pulled onto the highway.. I nudged Shirley (my sister) and said, “lets sing, Let it Snow!” We had been at my Grandma’s home and singing around her player piano for at least 2 hours, after dinner. Shirley and I had been singing harmony together since she was 6 and I was 4. We knew every song on the Hit Parade. We began to sing very quietly, almost a whisper. The driver heard us, and said, “girls that sounds wonderful.” Why don’t the two of you stand behind my chair and sing for everyone. I know they will love to hear you.” He then he grabbed intercom microphone and encouraged everyone on the bus to join in.”

We sang all the Christmas Carols, White Christmas, Let it Snow, several of the popular songs about the war, i.e. ‘ White Cliffs of Dover, “My sister and I”, Johnny Got a Zero, Paper Doll, “ Don’t sit under the apple tree,” all the songs on the Hit Parade as well as requests shouted out by passengers. It made the snowy long hour and a half ride to Canton fly by.

When we pulled into the Cantons Bus station, someone took off their hat and passed it around as everyone dropped in a few coins. They handed the coins to my Dad, who thanked them profusely. We used those coins to take a taxi home, otherwise we would have walked the 12 – 14 blocks, in the snowy blizzard.

Every Christmas I recall that memorable, Greyhound bus ride. Christmas night 1944. I was 9 years, Shirley was 11.

A Christmas Gift by Joyce Schenk (83 years old)

Many moons ago living the first of his nine lives, Justin, a white-whiskered cat with golden eyes, sat by the fire in a small stone house in Bethlehem. Although snow on the ground and cold winds made him shiver, the delicious smells from a big pot drew him closer to it.

Prowling around the master, wife and children, Justin collected scraps of chicken and lapped up the garlic-spilled soup. Although no longer hungry, he still shook with cold. What he wanted was to get back to the fire but the humans blocked the way. A frosty wind gusted through the partially-opened door. A shower of icy chips blew in his face. He tried to close the door but a radiant star in the sky stopped him.

Curious Justin now nudged the door wider with his nose and paw so he could slip out. Golden star beams lit his white whiskers. Soon snow clung to his black hair and his paws left tiny prints. Justin stopped. Should he turn back? The snow now covered his paws. He hesitated but chose to follow the star.

Suddenly he lifted his small head and sniffed. Camel breath! He knew nearby must be a place warmed by animals and soon he sighted the stone stable directly under the star.

Quietly, he crept inside. A donkey suddenly brayed waking a tiny baby boy who lay on straw in a stone manger. Near him knelt a couple looking lovingly down at him.

Justin saw a lady with the kindest face he had ever seen but she was shivering. She had used her soft shoes to warm the baby’s feet. Justin understood cold. He crept closer covered the lady’s feet to warm them. Surprised, she looked down and smiled at him. An inner glow spread from his tiny ears to his white paws. Curling closer, Justin purred.

Reindeer Fred by Pam Ryan, Canyon Verde

You've heard about the reindeer pulling Santa's sled
But this is the story of reindeer Fred
He's the number nine in a lineup of only eight
Hoping one day that he’s going make it great.

Fred can do a fast dash and a pretty fair prance
And the doe's all envy his four legged dance
He's learned the skills of eight and he hopes one day to find
That he'll be chosen for the reindeer sleigh line

He's alternate
He's the alternate
He stays in shape but never gets called a lot
He's the substitute who never gets the fame
Unless one of the reindeer goes lame.

When Santa picked Rudolph as number nine
Fred thought that maybe it was his time
And Santa would want to make it an even ten
But on Christmas Eve Fred was left in the pen

He's the best reindeer anyone's ever seen
But he won't be happy until he makes the team
He's the substitute who never gets the fame
Unless one of the reindeer goes lame.

Ollie Ollie Oxenfree: A Cat's Christmas Refuge by Susan Cole (35 years old)

Oliver: When I first arrived at Susan’s house I spent my days lying in wait for pedestrians behind the large gray boulder, and under the tall cactus, on her front lawn. My timing was perfection. When unsuspecting pedestrians reached a certain point on the sidewalk in front of the house, I’d be there, at their feet, belly up and waiting to be petted. “Oh, what a cute kitty,” they’d say as they scratched my belly. They were utterly captivated.

Susan: Oliver is my two-year-old orange and white cat. He’s a rescue, one I adopted from the L.A. Animal Shelter last April. He loved everyone except, apparently, me, to whom he’d been cool since I brought him home.

Oliver: That’s because my first memories of you were at that dreadful place where I was terrified, where I was abandoned.

Susan: Yes, there I was, at that dreadful place to adopt a cat. An employee led me to Oliver’s cage. He opened it and set Oliver on the ground so we could (hopefully) bond. But Oliver, so overcome with fear, froze.

Oliver: Terror! Unrelenting, unimaginable, bone penetrating terror.

Susan: I took him anyway, and kept his original name of Oliver, hoping it might bring him some comfort. But he refused to recognize it, much less answer to it.

Oliver: At Susan’s house I hid in the closet a lot.

Susan: My cat was depressed! He exuded an ever-present heavy cloud of sadness.

Oliver: In November I escaped, determined to find my original owner…somehow.

Susan: A terrible time! I searched for my sad boy for days. Then on the dawn of the fourth day I heard a cat crying outside my bathroom door—Oliver had returned.

Oliver: My quest was for nothing.

Susan: A doomed mission to be sure. But Oliver changed after that. He slowly let go of his legion of neighborhood friends and instead grew attached to the velvet covered sofa in my warm attic. We watched TV. We cuddled. Oliver put on a couple of pounds. The sadness lifted.

Oliver: It's December now. There is an excitement and energy in the air. People walk more, talk together more, laugh gaily out loud. They’ve put twinkling lights on their houses. Susan has pinned shiny balls and glittery stars on the cactus next to my rock. I still like to sit there and quietly soak up the tepid winter sun. I’m home.

Epilogue:

Susan: Oliver still doesn’t answer to his name. Since I don’t think he cares, just for fun I play with variations of it. Oliver sometimes becomes Ollie, which has recently turned into Ollie Ollie Oxenfree. It’s a phrase that comes from an old children’s chant, used in games like hide and seek for example. It’s meaning tells children they can come out into the open now; out of hiding, into safety.

Oliver: I still don’t answer to my name, but I know who I am.

Santa Claus and the Yellow Taxi by Ronnie Zepeda (65 years old)

Growing up in the East Side of Los Angeles during the 1960s was a challenge for any kid, but 1963 was particularly difficult for my family. The Christmas season highlighted what we didn’t have, but all that changed when a yellow taxi arrived at our front door. Forty-nine years later, I remember that day as if it were yesterday.

I was one of nine children, seven boys and two girls. Big families were common back in those days. We ranged in age from 13 to newborn. My father was a committed Teamster union member and had been on a wildcat strike since that summer. He hadn’t received a paycheck since the strike began and the union didn’t offer any strike benefits to wildcatters.

We were always able to celebrate holidays in simple ways, but as Thanksgiving approached my parents were already feeling the full affect the strike was having on their finances. They cleverly covered up their money problems by having Thanksgiving dinner at my Grandmother’s house.

That was an easy fix, but as Christmas approached my parents dropped hints that Santa Claus would not be stopping by our house that year. For my family, Christmas gifts for that many children was a single toy and some desperately needed new pants or a dress – each from Santa Clause and opened on Christmas morning. My parents stressed that Santa skipping over our house was not because we hadn’t been good children or didn’t deserve any presents. He was just too busy. Santa Clause was not coming because my parents told me so and at seven years old I had no reason to doubt or question their truthfulness.

We pulled out the old aluminum tree and decorated the house like we normally did. Each of us children made each other simple little gifts constructed with ice cream sticks and glue or colored pipe cleaners, and wrapped them in the Sunday comics. These few gifts were placed loving under the tree.

As the other children in the neighborhood talked of the potential toys they would be receiving, I downplayed the importance of a new toy. School let out for Christmas vacation, but around our house not a word had been mentioned about gifts. But on Christmas Eve morning I became a true believer that, yes indeed, there was a Santa Claus.

It was a cold and cloudy day. My father had already left for the picket line to join the other striking workers. I was in the kitchen, eating yet another bowl of avena, when I heard a commotion in the front of our house. I ran to the front window and joined my siblings and my mother watching a bright yellow taxi parking in front of our house.

I could not make out who was in the yellow taxi, but many of our neighborhoods friends had already surrounded the taxi. The taxi driver finished parking, then quickly ran to open the rear passenger door. To my surprise, a man in a red outfit, identifiable to every child around the world, stepped out of the cab. I couldn’t believe my brown eyes. The passenger was wearing a bright red velvet suit, with white felt cuffs and jacket trim. His big belly was held together by a huge black belt, and on his feet, black leather boots. My heart stopped beating. Why did my parents tell us that Santa Claus was not coming when in fact he was in our front yard and coming toward the door?

Santa Claus walked up to our front door, but didn’t have to knock. We all pulled opened the door opened and my mother happily greeted him with, “Buena dias, Santa Claus.” His first words were, “Is this the home of the Zepeda family?” We screamed in the affirmative and pulled the jolly old saint in our living room.

Santa sat on one of our living room chairs and explained that reindeers where resting and the taxi company was helping him out. He said that since we had been well-behaved children and had obeyed our parents all year, he had brought gifts for each of us all the way from the North Pole.

First came several boxes of groceries, including a gigantic turkey. Then, he opened a big red canvas bags and called out each of my brother’s and sister’s names and ages. He presented each of us with a brightly wrapped present, asking us to wait and open the gifts on Christmas Day. I raised my hand, as pointed out to him that he hadn’t given my sister, Linda, a present. With a wink and a nod, Santa Claus reached into his big bag, and pulled out one last present. Linda beamed as she clutched the gift close to her heart.

At the door, Santa turned and offered, “A Merry Christmas to all!” As he was walked back to the yellow taxi, he gave all the neighborhood children candy canes. And just as quickly as he arrived, he was gone.

Years later, my sister Linda, who was 13 at the time, told us she had written a letter to Santa Claus and mailed it to The Los Angeles Times. She wrote about our family’s financial situation and requested that Santa not miss our house, even if he was so very busy. She listed all the children’s ages and what they wanted, but didn’t ask for anything for herself, except for granting this request.

The young girl who believed in Santa so much that he granted her Christmas wish, is no longer celebrating Christmas with us. My sister Linda died on September 10, 1997 from a long illness. But, on every Christmas morning when my own children and grandchildren are opening their gifts that Santa Claus left for them under the tree, I recall that very special Christmas of 1963. And remind them that truly Santa Claus does exist, in the most important place – the heart of a little girl.

City of Torrance

Torrance Public Library

We are proud to partner with the Torrance Public Library system. The contest will be judged by esteemed librarians from the six Torrance Library branches. Winning stories will be read "Live from the North Pole" on Wednesday, December 2 at 5:00 PM.

Questions? Email tmmcstorycontest@gmail.com

For more information, contact the Torrance Memorial Foundation at 310-517-4703.

VIEW THE HOLIDAY FESTIVAL PROGRAM BOOK HERE