How Old Mr. Long-Tail Became a Santa Claus

Name: How Old Mr. Long-Tail Became a Santa Claus
Author: Maud Van Buren

Old Mr. Long-Tail, a wealthy but miserly rat, refuses a snowbird’s request for a contribution to the Christmas fund for the poor and needy. While other forest creatures suffer because storms and snow have buried their food stores, he remains warm and well supplied, contemptuously declaring that he wants nothing to do with Christmas. Although he plans to spend Christmas alone, he longs for yellow corn stored in a distant old barn. He ventures out through the storm with an empty sack, reaches the barn, and slips inside—only to enter a box trap instead of the corn bin. Cold, hungry, and unable to escape, he cries for help. Two snowbirds hear him, recognize him as the rat who drove them away earlier, and nevertheless decide to help. They refuse his promise of payment, explaining that they accept presents only from willing givers. By digging corn from beneath the trap, they tip it over and free him. Mr. Long-Tail runs home without thanking them. Yet as he sits before his fire, visions in the flames show him starving forest folk, his own locked and overflowing storehouses, and the snowbirds rescuing him. He recognizes himself as a selfish miser and is ashamed of his cruelty and ingratitude. Realizing that there is still time before Christmas, Mr. Long-Tail gathers empty bags and disappears into the night. At midnight, the forest creatures awaken to the sound of a bell. They find him smiling and ringing it with his long tail beside a wonderful spread of Christmas gifts. Above the gifts is a sign offering peace, good will, and a merry Christmas to all, from Mr. Long-Tail.

By Maud Van Buren · First published 1927 · Genre: Children's Literature, Christmas Fiction, Animal Fantasy · 2,714 words

First lines

_Harrison Cady_

"No, sir-ree, you don't catch me giving anything to Christmas charity. / No, sir-ree! It's all nonsense anyway," said old Mr. Long-Tail as he / slammed his door shut with a great bang right in the face of a startled / snowbird who had called to solicit a contribution for the Christmas / fund for the poor and needy.[5]

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What this Textopian page supports

How Old Mr. Long-Tail Became a Santa Claus is listed on Textopian as a short story by Maud Van Buren, dated 1927 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Maud Van Buren
Date: 1927 CE
Language: English
Genres: Children's Literature, Christmas Fiction, Animal Fantasy, Moral Tale, Fable
Length: 2,714 words
Structure: 1 section, 45 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Children's Literature — The simple, expressive prose, talking animal characters, clear moral instruction, and reassuring ending are designed for young readers.
Christmas Fiction — The plot unfolds on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, centering on charity, gifts, seasonal hardship, and a transformation into a Santa Claus-like benefactor.
Animal Fantasy — Forest animals speak, reason, organize a Christmas celebration, and occupy humanlike homes and social roles.
Moral Tale — Mr. Long-Tail's selfishness is confronted and corrected, teaching generosity, gratitude, compassion, and goodwill toward those in need.