I am still having problems with the audio. Hopefully, I will solve that at some point in time!
Santa, Where Are You? by Valera Ashcraft
The Welcome All Shopping Mall late on Christmas Eve
Filled with last minute shoppers, some wanting to leave.
There stood a boy named Toby with a toy to buy
When in the distance he heard a very sad cry.
He stepped out of line and walked toward the weeping.
Past the angry crowds and past an old man sleeping.
Toby saw who it was making the weeping sound
It was Rudolph, the reindeer at the lost and found.
Little Rudy was crying, his nose blinking red.
An elf was beside him with tissue on his head
“What’s wrong?” asked Toby. “Are you hurt? Are you afraid?”
“No, I’m not hurt,” cried Rudolph searching the parade.
“Guido and I can’t find Santa Claus in this mob.
No one wants to help us,” said Rudolph with a sob.
How did you get apart? He asked the sad reindeer.
Santa had to go pee before spreading
Christmas cheer.
I was waiting when those Santas came out the door
They were not Santa! Just actors and nothing more.

“Don’t worry fellas. I’ll find Santa Claus, I swear.”
Rudy gave Toby a kiss on his head with care.
The young boy asked the clerk to make an urgent call.
Santa please come to the lost and found in the mall.
Looking at the trio, her hair in a big clump.
The clerk took hold of the mike and spoke with a grump.
“Rudy is looking for Santa! So is an elf.
Says his name is Guido. Come get him off my shelf!”
The three guys waited for Santa, but he didn’t come.
Just a toy, a parent and a dog chewing gum.
Detective Duff asked questions to help with the hunt.
“What does your guy look like is he huge or a runt?
Is Santa’s nose a tiny one? Are his ears big?
Does he wear a cowboy hat or a curly wig?
Does Santa Claus have any colorful tattoos?
Or wear a bellybutton ring that is true blue?
Someone interrupted, “He’s got a big belly!
Santa needs a diet of no donuts with jelly!
Exercise is the answer! A whole lifestyle-change!”
“Santa Claus without a belly? That would be strange!”
“I heard he drinks lots of sodas,” someone else said.
“That’s why Santa’s cheeks are chubby and very red.”
“His fashion is boring, always the same red suits.
The same red hat with white trim and black leather boots.”
“My Santa Claus is perfect!” Rudy cried out loud.
“Santa has a big heart,” Toby said to the crowd.
“And he laughs with a ho, ho, ho and cheery eyes.
A perfect size nose and Santa is very wise.
The most important thing he does year after year
He spreads holiday spirit and holiday cheer.
Bringing loved ones and strangers together to share
the true meaning of Christmas is simply to care.”
“Okay, these clues of Santa Claus should be enough.
Rudy, we will find your friend,” said Detective Duff.
“Are there any volunteers to help with the search?”
A parrot spoke, “Here kitty, kitty.” From her perch.
A shopper announced, “I have more presents to buy!”
“I can’t be bothered!” Someone said, “Neither can I.”
Other shoppers agreed, there was no time to care.
With only two more hours to shop, if you dare.
Duff asked Rudy, “Does Santa have a phone tracker
with a ringtone that sounds like a duck duck quacker?”
“He doesn’t need a quaker since he’s always here,”
said Rudy. “But if Santa is not here, then where?”
Duff patted Rudy and said, “It’s my job to help.
All of us will check every corner, aisle and shelf.
I’ll start at the coffee house and the donut store.”
“We’ll search Toy Lot,” said Toby going out the door.
Rudy, Guido and Toby checked the store, Toy Lot.
“Have you seen Santa?” The clerk scanned a Doodle Bot.
“We have Santa Claus games, books and Santa Humbugs,
Santa pixie stix and Santa candy filled jugs.
We even have a Santa Claus jellybean troll.”
“We mean the real Santa, not a game, or stuffed mole.”
“No, I haven’t seen Santa Claus, but feel free to look.”
The trio searched every corner and every nook.
Sadly, Santa Claus with rosy cheeks was not there.
Not with the games, or toys. He could be anywhere.
“Have you seen Santa?” they asked at the store of Joy.
“I don’t have time for your funny pranks little boy.
My walls need some more pinecones, wreaths and if you please.
Tell that elf to get off the artificial trees.
I have fountains for birds and some houses for nests,
Plastic sculptures of angels and elf statuettes.
Wait a minute, Tom. I need a price check on this.”
Guido gave the store clerk a hug and a big kiss.
On went the search at a store of beautiful bells.
With big bongs and jingles, but no Santa to tell.
They tried a store of smells of potpourris and soaps.
Scented candles, sponge loofas and natural totes.
“Have you seen Santa in this store?” they asked the guard.
“Look in the section of the scratch and sniffy cards.”
They smelled of fresh strawberries and an apple tart.
Guido found one card he liked of a reindeer phart.
“Santa where are you?” Rudy’s tears dripped on a rug.
“Next is the gift wrap.” Guido gave Rudy a hug.
Surrounded by colored ribbons and fancy bows.
“I haven’t seen Santa,” the clerk tied Guido’s toes.
“Have you tried at the movies, Jingle all the way?
Or he’s posing for pictures sitting in a sleigh.”
Suddenly mall shoppers started running one way
As if to a blue light special sale of the day.
Toby asked Detective Duff, “What is all the fuss?”
“Looks like a sale at the Furnishings and Plus.”
The growing crowd got excited trying to peek
at the firemen, the police and a chimney sweep.
“What is the matter?” asked Toby as they pushed through.
“Someone is snoring in a chimney was the clue.”
“It’s Santa Claus!” cried Rudy. “He has to be stuck!
Please, help him!” Leroy piped in, “I have a tow truck!”
Everyone pulled together with all of their might.
Santa Claus in that chimney was stuck very tight.
Finally, with a pop like a cork come undone.
Santa rolled into view smiling at everyone.
The shoppers began laughing at the funny sight
As Santa stood in the bright welcome all mall light.
Rudy ran to Santa with a loud cry of joy.
Toby and Guido hugged and gave one to Leroy.
Duff looked at all his notes and told the happy scene.
“This can’t be Santa Claus. I don’t mean to be mean.
He’s not wearing a red hat and not a red suit,
The Detective pointed, “And no black leather boots!”
Santa Claus was dressed in a designer outfit
Of cows, sunflowers and moon under one armpit.
“That’s why I was stuck,” Santa Claus tried to explain.
“These clothes don’t shrink which is needed for chimney strain.”
Toby said, “He’s Santa! Look at his cheery eyes,
rosy cheeks, his warm smile and he is very wise.
He brought us together to share holiday cheer,
holiday spirit and most important to care.
Rudolph, Guido and Santa Claus in his red suit
Gave Toby a hug then left up the chimney chute.
With a ho ho ho, Santa Claus wished everyone
Merry Christmas to all and this story is done.