Photo by: Al Forbes
Barry had always adored Christmas. His parents told him stories of Santa Claus and the elves and the reindeer. Barry soaked it all in and believed it with all his heart.
Barry lived on the colony planet, Stalya, 62.4 light years from Earth. Few children enjoyed the magic of Christmas. How could Santa make it all that way anyway? He had no FTL starship!
That Christmas, his parents finally admitted there was no Santa Claus.
It was late on Christmas Day and everyone else was asleep. Barry gazed sullenly at the snowy streets below. And then something landed on the roof!
Barry rushed downstairs and stopped before the figure entering their airlock.
Santa Claus!
Barry rushed forward and squeezed the jolly old elf tight. “Santa! How did you get here without an FTL starship?”
“Ho, ho, ho! Don’t be silly, Barry. I always could fly Faster Than Light. It’s how I delivered gifts to millions in one night.”
“Oh right, but you’re still a little late.”
“Sorry about that Barry. It is a long way and we had turn back once for something vital.”
“Engine troubles?”
“No.” He gestured to the sheepish-looking elf beside him. “Bobo here forgot the hot chocolate!”
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Written for Sunday Photo Fiction: https://sundayphotofictioner.wordpress.com/2017/12/24/sunday-photo-fiction-december-24th-2017/
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!
EagleAye
Momus News 
Prepared for the jump to light speed, Rudolph.
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Not sure how well his nose will work while traveling faster than light. Will Rudolph arrive at his destination before his nose lights up? š
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Depends on the behavior of photons in hyperspace. The math’s a little beyond me.
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Same here. I just make stuff up. It’s so much easier that way. š
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Awe a cute one for Christmas! He was such a dejected little guy so Iām glad Santa showed up even being late. I guess santaās Sleigh like space ships had improved in design. I wonder if that elf gets demoted, Hot Chocolate is pretty vital. Great job!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
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Haha! I think Bobo will be cleaning the reindeer stable for a few months. Of course the elves had to modify the sleigh slightly for interstellar travel. It’s cold in space, so they had to install a fireplace. š Thanks so much! Merry Christmas to you and your family too! š
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Can’t forget the hot chocolate!
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Santa simply cannot operate without it. It’s hard to move as fast as he does without a healthy dose of caffeine. š Merry Christmas, Joy! š š
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Merry Christmas, Eric!
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Nice story. Perfect for the holiday! š
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Thank you kindly. Merry Christmas to you! š
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Same to you!
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Laughing but confused.
Is it not impossible to be late if you travel FTL, even allowing for forgetful Bobos?
And wasn’t he Yogi’s sidekick!
Have a good one, Eric.
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Haha! I hear you. It all depends on “how much faster” than light you’re going. Just whipping around the Earth at 60 times the speed of light, you can do a LOT. But if traveling to a colony 60 light years away, it would take an ENTIRE YEAR to arrive! Safe to say Santa was traveling much faster than that. Even then, having to run back for hot chocolate would put a crimp in the travel plans.
And yeah Bobo is Yogi’s sidekick. I think that Hanna-Barbara cartoon is where Bobo got his name from.
Thanka for stopping by, and Merry Christmas!
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Ha ha ha ha! So much fun. This Bobo is a dodo in the shape of an elf, I tell you. Happy holidays š
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Haha! And like the Dodo, if Bobo isn’t careful he’ll find that his job becomes extinct. Glad you had fun, and thank you. Happy Holidays! š
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Bobo is lucky he wasn’t fired when he forgot the hot chocolate. That’s criminal! š
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No kidding. Santa without hot chocolate? Unthinkable! When Bobo has to start cleaning the reindeer stables, he’ll wish he was fired. š Thanks Lyn! š
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That’s great, Eric. This was fun. I love Bobo and the hot chocolate. I’m wondering why Santa never brought me or my kids hot chocolate. Maybe it’s a recent innovation. Things are always updating. Season’s Greetings! š — Suzanne
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Hehe. Santa’s hot chocolate is strictly for him. It’s magical and it keeps him going through the long Christmas night. You wouldn’t want your kids to have his chocolate, unless you’d enjoy peeling them off the ceiling. š Thanks Suzanne! Happy Holidays!
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Your tale is well told as usual. Happy new year to you and your family. May many more lively stories spin out of your creative mind in 2018. š
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Thanks so much! And same to you. Here’s to many more stories in the coming year. Happy New Year! š
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