Far Away Holiday by Jim Washburn

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Even stranger, not being much of a dreamer, she finds herself beginning to dream vividly.
She is standing in a line of children and grownups, holding her mother's hand. All around is the glitter and pomp of a department store decked out for the holidays complete with an elf village and railroad that she is impatient to ride.
Suddenly she is standing in front of Santa Claus himself, both terrified and awe-struck by his red suit and huge white beard. She is picked up by her mom and placed on Santa's lap. She is no longer terrified, just excited and interested.
"Well young lady what do you want for Christmas?"
Looking up at his wrinkled, smiling face she thinks hard before answering.
"I'm Megan Santa. I saw you on TV. I ‘m almost three!" She holds up her fingers for emphasis.
"Mama says I'm old ‘nuf to read. Mama says readn is ‘pornt. Mama says if I want to be ‘pornt that I need to learn readn. I want to be ‘pornt. Do you want me to be ‘pornt?" She says all of this with a breathless rush.
"Yes Megan I want you to be important and your mama is right, reading is very, very important."
Megan nods seriously at this.
"I want a book for Christmas, an ‘pornt book to help me readn"
"That's all, just a book? No dolls or games for you?"
"No, I have a dolly. See! Mama is holding her." She points out into the crowd. "I want a book Santa. A word book, not pichers!"
"Well little lady I am going to get you an important book for Christmas, I promise." The jolly old elf said with a wheezy ‘ho ho ho' and put her down. She ran to her mother with a huge smile but stopping to say thank you as mama told her she should. Even the railroad was forgotten for the moment.
The dream broke up into a chaos of images, fragments of sound and non linear actions but throughout it all continued many images of the holiday. Different Christmas trees, presents in bright wrappings, beautiful cards hung along door frames and the sounds of many different carols. A sense of peace and belonging infused her spirit as she settled into a deep, restful sleep.
The alarm buzz woke her and for a moment she was unsure of her location. After the cobwebs cleared she fell into her morning routine, teeth, shower and all the other boring tasks including careful dressing though there was no real need for that. Once finished she headed toward the bridge.
The bridge was still lit from her simulated tree but different somehow. Activating the lights she saw something sitting on the command chair. She picked it up wondering if she was losing her mind. It was a book.

Goodnight Moon
By Margaret Wise Brown

Megan sat down looking at this impossible thing while a tear streaked unnoticed down her cheek.