Photo by: Shelly Collins (@eyedealstuff) | Unsplash Photo Community
On Christmas Eve they were sitting round the campfire enjoying their first Christmas In Florida. The Christmas trees lit up the yard were adding to the ambiance.
“Tell me again how Santa travels around the everglades?” asked nine year old Susan demonstrating some doubt in his story. She had been trying to put together the facts he presented with what she knew and could see some holes.
Her Uncle Jim threw another log on the fire and then started.
“The first people who came to the Everglades were surprised on Christmas Day when they wandered outside and saw some big boot prints accompanied by what looked like a furrow in the ground. “
“Santa,” shrieked Daisy.
“Yes indeed, it was true. Santa had visited that night. But to those who saw it, there were some identifying marks to indicate that Santa had been accompanied not by one but by two gigantic alligators.”
“Gigantic!” shrieked Daisy who was getting right into the story.
“How did they know?” asked Susan.
“There was a man who claimed he heard a noise so he looked outside. What would appear? Santa and two crocodiles quickly drawing near.”
“Hey! I thought you said it was alligators?” asked Daisy.
“It was alligators,” Uncle Jim quickly recovered as he wiped his brow. “Tough crowd," he muttered to himself as he sipped on his special brew.
“So what did he say next,” asked a wide eyed Daisy.
“I'm glad you asked,” replied Uncle JIm. “The man said the two alligators were quick as a flash. They were pulling Santa’s sleigh. They were the fastest Croc…. Alligators he had ever seen.”
“Now you are making this up.” quipped Susan.
Her father cautioned, “Let Uncle Jim finish his story.”
“Sorry Uncle Jim.”
Uncle Jim took another sip of his special Christmas drink. “Yes, two alligators. The man had heard a rumour that Santa was traveling through the south using the alligators. It was even said that Santa had trained the two alligators himself by wrestling them. Whoever lost would owe the other a favour. Santa used his magic to help him win so now two of the largest croc… alligators pull his sleigh.”
“And the man saw them,” whispered Daisy.
“Indeed,” he replied. “They were the biggest and meanest looking Croc…. Alligators he had ever seen. But quick as a flash. Santa was in and out of the house. It is said if you rise early and look at the ground you will see where their tails left their mark. If you look just over there,” he pointed to the everglades edge, “you may catch a sight you would never expect.”
“What is it?” whispered Daisy. Susan was eyeing the swamp with some curiosity.
“It has been told,” began Uncle Jim. He paused for another longer sip of his drink before continuing. “It is said that you will see Santa on water skis, being pulled by those two Croc…. Alligators, to deliver presents to the boys and girls who live deep in the Swamp.”
“Woah,” said Daisy.
“Is he wearing a bathing suit?” inquired Susan who giggled at the thought of Santa wearing a bright red bathing suit.
“You will have to see,” replied a wobbly Uncle Jim.
“And now it’s time for bed,” said their father as he rose and began ushering them off to brush their teeth.
“Well that was entertaining,” stated Aunt Shannon as the children left the room.
Daisy came running back down the hall, followed by Susan. “Thank you Uncle Jim,” said Daisy. “Can we look for the tail marks in the morning?”
“Of course,” replied Uncle JIm.
Aunt Shannon volunteered,” You can even wake Uncle Jim up extra early to go help you look for them and to see if there is a water skier.”
Uncle Jim nodded before falling off his chair. He clearly wasn't going anywhere, anytime soon.
After I posted this story another writer wrote this response.
Christmas Pony Wishes in the Everglades
KEILA (KJ) AARTILA
DEC 01, 2025
Observations In TimeChristmas In The Everglades
(The following flash-fiction story came from an inspiration to my morning head when reading the short story above written by
Bill Ferguson 馃嚚馃嚘 - this is an addition to that story using the same characters and setting.)
Susan looked at Uncle Jim with furrowed brow, and asked, “But how does Santa fit a pony in there? I asked for a pony again and I figure it might happen for real this year because we live where it’s warmer and I am for sure big enough to take care of a pony, but how will he get it here?”
“Well, I don’t know about that one, Susan, but I’m sure there is magic involved.”
Uncle Jim then seemed to be struck with an additional brilliant thought.
“Hey, maybe if he can’t do it, you and Daisy can harness up those alligators and take them for a ride. You’ll be a matching team!” Uncle Jim’s eyes sparkled with mischief and Daisy fell into a fit of giggles at the thought of it. Susan graced them both with an unamused side-eye and a smirk. She didn’t find the humor in the idea. Her pony aspirations were quite a serious matter.
After they all agreed to look for tail marks in the morning, and a red-dressed Santa on waterskis, they said their goodnights.
“See you later, alligators!” Drawled Uncle Jim.
“Afterwhile, crocodile!” Answered the two bright-eyed girls in unison.
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