When Santa cried

It was such an eye opener; my son called the other day and his first words were, "Mom, all those Santa Clause's helpers in the malls deserve 10 times the salary they get."
When I asked what brought him to that profound decision, he tearfully told me that last week, while working as a police officer in a town nearby, he was approached by his chief, who asked him if he would fill in for the Santa Clause that could not show up for the Christmas parade scheduled for that evening.
He had a great time as he waved to all the children on the parade's route. After the parade, he was then asked to sit on Santa's throne and listen to all the children's wishes. That sounded like fun, thinking that he would be hearing all the wishes his own kids have of laptops, cell phones, etc.
He could not have been ready when a beautiful little girl of about 7 or 8 sat on his lap. When he playfully asked her what she wanted from Santa she quietly mumbled, "A bed."
When he did not understand her, he asked her again. Again she repeated, "A bed." Still not believing what he thought she said, he asked her to repeat it again.
She then clearly said, "A bed."
He thought she was kidding and kiddingly probed her and asked as to whether she would rather have some toys. She said, "No, I don't want toys, I only want a bed." "I have never had a bed; I sleep on the floor cause my mom and dad can't afford a bed."
He had all he could do not to run home and grab his kid's bed and give it to her.
Another little boy didn't want anything. The only thing he wanted was that his mother and father wouldn't fight anymore.
One after another brought tears to his eyes as he couldn't help but think of all the parents, including him, that shower their kids with expensive Christmas presents every year, never giving it a thought that there are actually so many kids that want only the simple necessities of life.
Jeanne Parzyngat
Lake Placid