Father Christmas

[jacey]

Or: You can fool some of the people some of the time... or not

This is a story BB's first (teaching) boss, Bob Stopforth, used to tell against himself. Bob is long gone, but the story is too good to let go and we've shared it with many people over the years..

Bob went through World War 2 as a paratrooper. He survived Arnhem and went into teaching in Liverpool. (Some may say being able to survive Arnhem was a prerequisite.) His first job was in a junior school, an old traditional school building with a small belfry on the roof above the hall. Knowing his war history the head asked him (for the Christmas assembly) to dress as Father Christmas, climb up the building on the outside and descend into the hall on a rope from the trap door in the ceiling, carrying a sack of toys..

So red-suited, false-bearded and white-wigged, and with a cushion stuffed up the front of his outfit, Bob dutifully shouldered the toys and scaled the building (no Elf and safety in those days), made it  to the belfry, waited for the appropriate lull in the carol singing below and opened the trap door.

He stuck his head through and in his best cheery voice said, 'Ho-ho-ho! Hello children!"

And 120 faces looked up and chorused, 'Hello, Mr. Stopforth.'

Comments

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Great story!

[watervole.livejournal.com]

That's a great story.

I always recognise people by their voices too.

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

LOL! Very sharp these Liverpool kids. No fooling them. :)

[maeve-the-red.livejournal.com]

Bless.

One for BB: The Four Ages of Man
First you believe in Santa Claus
Then you don't believe in Santa Claus
Then you *are* Santa Claus
Finally you look like Santa Claus

[birdsedge.livejournal.com]

It was tha last one that caused him to shave off his beard after 45 years, but it's so cold that he's growing it again for the winter, regardless of looking like St Nick (or Old Nick).
:-)