I found this fresh take on an old classic, in a previous December "Alpaca Magazine" issue and thought all of you might enjoy it :]
Alpaca Christmas by Gay Moller
Twas the night before Christmas and out on the farm
The 'pacas were dozing, no cause for alarm.
Their stocking were hung on the side of the shed
And their two legged friends were all tucked up in bed.
They smiled as they cushed and chewed on their cud,
Remembering happily rolls in the mud.
They dreamed of lush pasture and pretty spring flowers
Of leaping and pronking and eating for hours.
When up in the sky there arose such a clatter,
They sprang to their feet to see what was the matter.
The tinkle to sleigh bells the sound of deep laughter
What could it be, was it them it was after?
The moon was full and away to the north
A small speck approached; the sound billowing forth.
As it grew nearere, they saw 'twas a sleigh
Pulled by eight tiny 'pacas and loaded with hay.
With a little old driver, so lively and round
It was he who was laughing, a curious sound,
More rapid then reindeer these 'pacas they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name.
"Now Suzy! Now, Sally! Now Murty, and Locky!
On, Becky! On Geordie! On, Dougal and Rocky!
To the top of the paddock! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the housetop the 'pacas they flew,
With the sleigh full of hay, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, they heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
The 'pacas all stared, how could THOSE 'pacas fly?
And where did they come from, up there in the sky?
The hay looked quite luscious, but was it for them?
Or was some for the goat, and some for the hens?
Would all get a share or had some misbehaved?
It must be okay, Santa smiled, and then as he waved.....
He slid from the roof landing right at their feet
He spread out the hay and told them to eat.
You've been excellent 'pacas, he said with a smile
And say himself down for a rest on the stile.
You've brought lots of smiles to the two-legged team
Who feed and caress you and keep your yards clean
You've taunted and teased and kept them on their toeses
You've waggled your ears and you've whiffled your noses
You've come when they've called and sometimes you've not,
You've shivered to worry them, groaned when to hot,
You've delivered your cria when it's suited you,
You've oft made them anxious and oft made them stew.
You've brought magic and peace to their boring routines.
You've coaxed and cajoled them and given them beans.
You've done all the things that alpacas should do,
And I'm here to thank you for just being you.
He rose then and stretched, said he must carry on
His team was now rested, his twinkly eyes shown,
As he smiled at the 'pacas and wished them adieu.
And he climbed to the roof while admiring the view.....
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But they heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas To All,
And To ALL A Good- Night!"
