So, while Marygrey waited for the arrival ofthe babies, Basil went to join the other animals who were waitingand watching under the Old Oak Tree for the first glimpse ofSanta’s light as he passed overhead. Every animal on the farm wasthere, except Marygrey and Old Agnes, who was waiting with Marygreyfor the babies to come, and Wooffer, who had not come out of thehouse yet. All of the Thousands, every squirrel for a mile around,the Armadillos, Cho Lee Yen, Camille and all the lizards, the BullyFrogs, The Banana Spiders from the Republic, Reba and Henry — andall the Hoppers and Bugs — and, of course, Larry, Curly, Moe andMargaret the chicken (her eggs had not hatched). They were allthere waiting for Santa to go by in his sleigh to deliver presentsto everyone and they would be the first to see him, they hoped.

None of the animals had ever seen Santa upclose, except Wooffer had seen a picture his mom had shown him in abook called, “The Night Before Christmas.” But every animal hadlistened to stories their moms and grandmoms had told them whenthey were very young and each one knew in his heart how Santalooked. He was Beautiful!

Wooffer knew it was about time for Santa togo by, so he asked his mom if he could go wait with the animals tosee his light as it went by. She was putting the last decorationson the Christmas tree. “Go on and watch and bark as soon as you seeanything and I will come out, too.” she said smiling. So Woofferwent to join the animals under the Old Oak Tree to wait for Santato go by.

Wooffer went out and said, “Merry Christmas,”to everyone. He had heard the news of Marygrey’s babies coming.

Basil was almost in a trance from theexcitement of the babies and waiting for Santa. He kept looking atthe sky, muttering, “Oh, My! Oh! … Oh My!”