by Luka, age 8, writes to Santa from Zagreb, Croatia, and asks how does santa fit down the chimney?
Dear Santa,
My name is Luka, and I am 8 years old. I live in Zagreb, Croatia, where his deda says the Advent market downtown has been named one of the best in all of Europe several years running.
Dear Luka, that is exactly the sort of detail I like to hear about Zagreb. It tells me you are paying close attention to the world around you, which is a fine habit to keep. Please keep noticing things like that.
Santa, I have three questions. First, how does Santa fit down the chimney? My mom and I were arguing about it at breakfast.
Practice, mostly, along with a bit of old magic that lets the chimney widen just enough right when I need it to. Between you and me, the cookies help motivate the squeeze.
Second, my teacher was telling us about the Sava River, which runs along the southern edge of his city. Do you fly over that on your Christmas Eve route?
Every single year, without fail. The sava river, which runs along the southern edge of his city is one of the sights the reindeer look forward to most, and I always tell the newer reindeer to watch closely as we pass over, because there are not many views in the whole wide world quite like it. Rudolph tends to slow down just a little right there, and I have learned not to rush him.
Third, is it true that in Croatia? My family was talking about it and I want to know if it is real.
It certainly is true. In croatia, an advent wreath with four candles is lit one at a time on the four sundays leading up to christmas. I think that is a wonderful thing for a family to talk about, because customs like that are exactly what make Croatia feel like Croatia, and they are precisely the sort of thing that keeps a community close together, especially in the winter months.
Thank you for your letter and your good questions, Luka. Keep noticing the world around you, keep asking honest questions, and keep being kind to the people in Zagreb. That is the whole spirit of Christmas right there. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Luka
Zagreb, Croatia
P.S. Does Ðed Mraz ever visit Zagreb too, or is that only your job?
We split the map fairly evenly, and Ðed Mraz handles that part of the world beautifully. Consider it a very old and very friendly arrangement.
