Comment from Mustang Patty

Excellent

Hi, Craig;
This was awesome! I had a clue we might be talking about Santa when I heard it was the seventeenth call of the night - but I had to laugh at the 'glass of beer and a carrot.' Thank you for sharing and good luck in the contest,

~patty~

 Comment Written 07-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 07-Dec-2017

Thanks for the lovely comments, Patty. I knew Santa liked carrots, but who'd have thought Rudolph liked beer? ;-) Much appreciated - Craig

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written story about an early morning event that luckily turned out to be only welldoers who wish everyone in the neighborhood a Merry Christmas and nothing to fear.

 Comment Written 07-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 07-Dec-2017

Thanks for the positive review, Sandra. Much appreciated, Craig

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

This is a terrific story, Craig. But the only problem is Santa left black sooty stains on the carpet in front of the fireplace. It's quite clear he isn't the person cleaning up after himself. lol. Excellent writing and a good bit of misdirection, and all the other component parts of a story, so what can I say, but well done!

All the best to you in the contest. :))

Gloria

 Comment Written 07-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 07-Dec-2017

Got that covered, Gloria. One of the presents he left under the tree is a jumbo-size can of carpet shampoo :) Thanks for the lovely review, and the good wishes. Better watch your back in the SOM - another 38 votes for me, and we'll be tied!

Muchas gracias,
Craig

reply by Gloria .... on 07-Dec-2017

Uh oh! So you're gaining on me on you?! But you forget dear man, I have the secret weapon. ;-)

reply by the author on 07-Dec-2017

Talent?

reply by Gloria .... on 07-Dec-2017

Yes! The sword is mightier than the pen, right?

Comment from Sharon Haiste

Excellent

I think that this is a good entry for the 'This Sentence Starts the Story' writing prompt.
The picture is a good match as well.
Good luck to you with the competition.
Sharon

 Comment Written 06-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Dec-2017

Thanks for the kind review, and good wishes. Craig

Comment from Phyllis Stewart

Exceptional

What a great story! Troy is Santa CLaus! LOL! Even his wife didn't know about his secret. Definitely worth six stars, or more if I had them to give. Bravo!

 Comment Written 06-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Dec-2017

Thanks so much for the lovely compliment, Phyllis. Thanks too for the lovely shiny stars - I'm surprised; many times people don't have any left at this time of the week. Most grateful :) Craig

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

This was a very cute story that I enjoyed reading. Well done throughout. You threw me off the track with the beer and the carrot and I wondered if we were talking about the Easter Bunny instead of Santa. Nevertheless, great story. Marilyn

 Comment Written 06-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Dec-2017

Not sure how it relates to the Easter Bunny, Marilyn. In the version I know, the beer is for Santa, and the carrot is for Rudolph :) Still, stories are different everywhere. Thanks for the great review, Craig

reply by BeasPeas on 07-Dec-2017

Oh, I get it. Carrot for Rudolph. I never heard the carrot thing before. I figured it out anyway. :)

Comment from Barb Hensongispsaca

Excellent

LOL you got me, well all of us. Quite a story with a fantastic ending and one that I was not expecting. Very nicely written and no problems found

 Comment Written 06-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Dec-2017

Thanks for the lovely comments, and I'm glad the ending was a surprise :) Cheers, Craig

Comment from Liberty Justice

Excellent

SO SUSPENSEFUL! Was the father drunk or something and playing Santa Claus. What an exciting story with mysterious plots and fear by mother and children. Did Troy come down the chimney and who left those gifts. NICE WRITE. truly, liberty justice

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 Comment Written 06-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Dec-2017

Well, I don't want to spoil it by giving too much away - but sometimes, the simplest answers, as impossible as they may seem,. are the right ones.Thank you for the complimentary and thoughtful review. Craig

Comment from Alcreator Litt Dear

Excellent

This speaks a mysterious real story, all they heard the sound, but none could think or guess it rightly, at night everyone was in panic, at last courageously, they called for police; I like. DR ALCREATOR

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 06-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Dec-2017

Thank you for the kind review, much appreciated. Craig