Neena Abraham was excited when Ms Jackie announced in class that this year, the 4th std students would perform the Christmas play before the entire school. “Here is the list of students in the play,” she continued, “Sangeetha, you are the little boy in the shop, Aruna…” and the list went on, each girl given her character to perform. Neena listened anxiously. She always wanted to play one of the three Kings who followed the star to  find the stable. “Sheela, Jassi and Ann will be the three kings,” continued Ms Jackie. Neena's shoulders shrank.

She was not even in the play!. She stole a look at the pretty and slender Manju who sat with a coy smile at her desk. She was going to play the beautiful mother of the kids in the play. Unconsciously, Neena looked down at herself. She was the tallest girl in class and outweighed everyone on the scale. She was not fat but was what Manju had once called her… 'big!' “And Neena will be Santa Claus!” concluded Ms.Jackie and put the sheet down.
Neena looked up in disbelief! “Wow! I'm Santa Claus!!” she grinned! She heard a giggle and turned to find Manju and Reena smirking. “I knew our giant short putter would get that part!” Manju whispered rather loudly. Neena felt like she had been hit by a hammer. “They think I'm Santa because I look…!” she started, slowly burying her face in her hands.

At home, Neena stared at herself in the mirror. “My face looks too big; my teeth… wish they were a little more in line… like Manju's are… and my nose, it's a swollen potato!” she thought. “I'M UGLY!” she shouted at the mirror and burst into loud, uncontrollable sobbing.

As practice for the play began, Neena's spirit began to dip. She became quiet and shy and hated being in the play! Neena was good at her part, but Ms. Jackie could not understand why she was so quiet and dull after practice.

Two days before the play, Ms. Jackie took Neena to the store room. “Let's try out the Santa costume!” she said and took out a box that contained the red dress, boots and white beard. Neena slid behind a curtain and sighed heavily as she stepped out in the Santa costume. Ms.Jackie then took two small pillows and stuffed them into the dress to give her a big belly.

Neena turned and stared at herself in a mirror. A salty stream of tears slide down her face. “I don't want to be Santa!” she began to sob.  Ms. Jackie stood there stunned. “What do you mean child?” she asked concerned. “What is wrong?” she seated Neena beside her on a trunk. “Well, I know why you made me Santa…” sobbed Neena, “because I am big and ugly!” she cried. “WHAT?” screamed Ms.Jackie, offended, but then, calmed down and put an arm around the little girl.  “Neena,…what do you think about Santa Claus?” she asked taking off the now wet beard. “I think…he is nice…very nice!” started Neena. “He always leaves such amazing presents under my Christmas tree!” she continued. Her crying mellowed. “What else?” nudged Ms. Jackie. “Mama says that he brings joy to children who are sad and…” a smile was now breaking through. “And I think he is very cheerful and kind!” “Maybe I chose you to be Santa because I always thought of you as a very cheerful girl!” she concluded. “You mean, Santa wouldn't think I am ugly…or big?” she asked. “You are not ugly or big! I'm sure Santa likes you for the way you help your friends, and the wonderful poems you write!” Ms. Jackie continued, “But if you still don't want to play Santa, I...” “No!! No!! I want to be Santa! I'll do it!” jumped Neena. Her pretty smile was back.
On the day of the play, Neena put on her costume and her big cheerful smile. She danced as happily as she thought Santa would want her to and soon, the crowd was clapping away in sync with the song, 'Jingle bells.'