by Tomá from Prague asks Santa for jokes, learns about the Vltava River, and hears about the Czech carp dinner tradition
Dear Santa, my name is Tomá and I am nine years old. I live in Prague, Czech Republic, where my dedecek says our castle is so big it is technically the largest ancient castle complex in the entire world.
Dear Tomá, your dedecek is correct, and I always give myself a little extra time to fly a full loop around it, purely out of respect.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, do you know any Christmas jokes? My uncle tells the same three every year and I need new material to bring to school.
I know a few, Tomá, though most of mine involve reindeer and land rather badly outside the North Pole. I will work on a fresh batch specifically for your classroom this year.
My second question is about our river. My teacher says the Vltava flows right through the middle of Prague, under many old bridges. Is that true?
It is, Tomá. The Vltava winds through the heart of Prague, beneath its famous historic bridges, and flying low along the river at night, bridges glowing above the water, is genuinely one of the loveliest sights on my whole route.
My third question is about our Christmas Eve dinner. My family always eats fish, a carp, on Christmas Eve, and some families even keep it swimming in the bathtub for a few days first. Why carp?
Carp has been the traditional centerpiece of Czech Christmas Eve dinner for a very long time, often bought live and kept briefly at home to stay fresh before being prepared for the meal. It is a wonderfully distinctive tradition, and afterward Jeíek, the Czech gift-bringer meaning Baby Jesus, is believed to bring the presents while everyone is still finishing dessert. A very full evening indeed.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Tomá Novák
Prague, Czech Republic
P.S. Has the bathtub carp ever escaped?
Once, in a letter I received from 1998. It has become something of a legend.
