The Legend of the
Christmas Toad

One cold, snowy December evening, on the edge of the Great Swamp (which I'm sure you all know is in New Jersey), a tiny toad sat shivering and looking up at the stars which peeked through the holes in the wind-driven clouds. All that vastness above his head made him feel very small and very, very insignificant. "Oh how I wish that I could do something meaningful", he sighed, "something important, something that would make everyone know my name!" Just then he heard a bright, silvery jingling from overhead, and when he looked up, he was amazed to see a sleigh piled high with toys and other gifts being pulled by eight reindeer. "Why, it's Santa!" he exclaimed. "If only I could be like him, bringing joy to good children all over the world. But I'm only a little toad. Nothing I could do would ever make a difference in this great, huge world." Just then a warm, golden glow transformed the Great Swamp, and a tall, slender, bright figure appeared before the astonished toad. "Do you really mean what you say?" it asked. "Why, w-w-what do you mean?" stammered the toad. "Just what I asked," replied the shimmering figure of light. "Would you really like to bring joy to good boys and girls all over the world? For I am the Spirit of Christmas, and on this one special night each year, I have the power to grant a wish to someone who I think is truly worthy." Toad leaped up in his excitement and cried "Oh, yes! Yes! I would love to be like Santa and bring gifts and happiness to so many people!" "Make it so!" the Spirit of Christmas commanded, and vanished, leaving behind only the darkness that filled the Great Swamp. Was this all some dream? The toad looked into the water at his feet and saw only the reflection of a small, ordinary toad. What great things could HE accomplish? As he was about to turn and go off to bed, a sudden resolve filled his little heart: "I may not be able to do all the mighty things that Santa does, but whatever I can do, I WILL!" He wandered around the Great Swamp for the rest of the night, finding little gifts he could give to the people who lived nearby.... a perfect pinecone was left at one cabin door, a beautiful multi-colored stone at another. In the morning, when the people found his gifts at their doorsteps, an odd feeling of joy and peace came into their hearts and lasted through the whole day, though many of them didn't know why. Some of the more sharp-eyed people, however, recognized the tiny footprints in the snow and realised who had visited their homes during the night. Thus the legend of the Christmas Toad was born. Would you like the Christmas Toad to visit you? Well, he will, if you write to him and ask him. Write to The Christmas Toad, c/o The Great Swamp, New Jersey (Be sure to affix sufficient postage to your envelope!). When you tell him what gift you would like him to bring, remember that he is only a little, tiny toad and can only carry one small gift to each person who asks. You must remember, too, that these gifts are for good boys and girls. If you are bad, he just might give you warts instead! Set out a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for him, since carrying all those presents around on his back is hard work. If you can find a few dead flies, I'm sure that they would be appreciated too. Then settle in for your Christmas Eve sleep, knowing that sometime during the night, a tiny, lumpy figure will fulfill his dream by bringing some joy into your life. You can also e-mail the Christmas Toad by clicking on the button below. Everyone who has ever been near a swamp at night knows that toads just love to sing. Here are a few Christmas Toad carols that you can sing on Christmas Eve to warm the Christmas Toad's heart and help guide him to your door. Oh Christmas Toad (Sung to the tune of "O Tannenbaum") Oh Christmas Toad, Oh Christmas Toad, Please bring to us our Christmas load. Oh Christmas Toad, Oh Christmas Toad, By Christmas morn, we hope you've showed. Oh we will give you flies by quarts, If only you don't give us warts. Oh Christmas Toad, Oh Christmas Toad, Please bring to us our Christmas load. Warty Toad (Sung to the tune of "Silent Night") Warty Toad, lumpy Toad, Please bring us your Christmas load. When from out of your Great Swamp, We hear approach your squishy stomp, Keep your warts, if you please, Keep your warts, if you please. Lo, How a Toad E'er Croaking (Sung to the tune of "Lo How a Rose") Lo, how a Toad e'er croaking From out of the Great Swamp. How loud I hear you choking That fly's too big to chomp. If you can't get it stowed Down in your toadish tummy, We'll miss your Christmas load. This page is dedicated to my daughter, Lori, who inspired the legend, and to my giggling niece, Charlotte, who suggested that it be presented in this way to everyone. "The Legend of the Christmas Toad" and Christmas Toad Carols copyright 1996 by Michael Valinis. Continue on to the Valinis Family Menu Page

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