Dear Santa
In 1941 The Beaver received a letter from a six-year-old Irish girl named Barbara, she hoped to explain to Santa why she must have a scooter for Christmas. The Beaver sent the letter to Santa Claus, only to become the go-between for the duration of the correspondence resulting in the article below. This originally appeared in the December 1942 issue of The Beaver. You can also read the article in its original format.
Once upon a time, there was a little girl called Barbara
who lived in Ireland.
When she was six years old, she wrote a letter to Santa Claus, addressing it to him care of the Hudson’s Bay Company.
In time the letter reached the office of the Beaver.
Of course the Beaver was very curious to know what was inside,
so he forwarded it to the North Pole, he asked Santa to let him know. Like the kind of man he is, Santa, after reading it,
and making a note of what it asked for, 
sent it back to the Beaver; and this is what the letter said:
137 Kimmage Rd. East
Tenenure, Dublin, Sun 7th Dec 1941
Dear SANTA.
I WONDER if BY any CHANCE there ARE any SCOOTERS in THE big SHOPS like PIM and CO. I AM very PLEASED with THE doll’s house YOU gave ME last YEAR. I HAVE a BICYCLE so I must HAVE a SCOOTER. I WONDER could YOU give ME the FIRST scooter, AND put IT leaning AGAINST the WALL on my table. THE doll’s house HAS lovely FURNATURE in IT NOW, so I have TO say GOOD-BYE.
Frome BARBARA, to SANTA.
Happy XMAS to You.
THE END
Santa told the Beaver that he has delivered the scooter safe and sound in Barbara’s room. And at the same time he asked the Beaver to send her one of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s historical maps of Canada, because he said she was very much interested in Geography.
The map reached Barbara in August, and she wrote back to Santa Claus to thank him for it, enclosing a photo of herself. He was so pleased that he sent the Beaver her picture and her second letter to put in the Company’s magazine:
7th August 1942
Dear Santa Claus,
Thank you very much for the lovely map. I was delighted with it. It is hung on the wall beside my bed. I loved the picture of Prince Rupert. Daddy told me all about Franklin of 1848. It reminds me of lovely fairy tales. Was that picture of the grizzly bear true? I suppose so.
I know all the names of the five great lakes, and I really dont know how they managed so many things on one map. I should like to be a passenger on the R. M. S. Nascopie, though it must be very cold in Craig Harbour. I have just finished a story about a little English girl who visits her Aunt living on the shores of Lake Athabaska.
I have been for a holiday. We went to Ardamine in Co. Wexford. It has a lovely golden strand, and our bungalow is built in the sand dunes. I bathed every day. I do hope you are having a nice holiday because I know you will be so busy at Xmas.
I am sending you a snap of myself. You have seen me sleeping but not awake. Did you notice that this letter was written in ink, the last I wrote to you was only in pecil [sic]
Love from Barbara
Note by the Beaver: Santa says he posted an answer to this letter at Fort Ross. But the Nascopie couldn’t get in there this year, so I’m afraid she won’t get it before Christmas unless he delivers it himself...
Want to write your own letter to Santa? Follow these instructions from Canada Post to ensure he gets it on time!
All mail should include a full return address so Santa can answer. Be sure to mail your letter so it gets to Santa before December 16. Santa's mailing address is:
SANTA CLAUS
NORTH POLE H0H 0H0
CANADA
No postage is required for letters to Santa. Along with wish lists, pictures and drawings, funny jokes, and children's favourite games, sports and stories help brighten the mail and make it easier for Santa and his elves to respond.
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