I didn't know of Santa Claus (圣诞老人) until the second grade when my family moved to America. My classmates told me that a fat man would come and put toys in one's stocking (长筒袜) on Christmas Eve.
Finally, Christmas Eve arrived. I took out my longest, cleanest stocking and put it on my bed. However, when I woke up early on Christmas Day and checked the stocking, there was nothing in it——There was no Santa in the world!
From then on, I told my friends the story every December. I had to tell it in a funny way, or I would cry.
How could I know that Santa was just late? Nine years ago, on Christmas Eve, a man knocked on my door. He said, "I've been looking for you for twenty-five years." He gave me a red stocking filled with candy and toys, and left. On top of the stocking was a card. It read: "For Becky—I have missed you since the second grade, but you've always lived in my heart. Santa." Then I recognized (认出) Jill's handwriting. I met her just two months ago. I later discovered that the man was her father. Jill had seen the sadness in my eyes and decided to do something with her father.
Now I believe that Santa is real. Santa lives inside kind people. He listens to friends and brings warmth and hope.
