Squire Kenson, the richest man in the village, came driving up to Nicholas’ cottage one day with an order for a new chest of drawers. Nicholas was attracted by the sound of silver bells and reindeer hooves on the snow. He looked out of his window and was impressed by the way the squire had arrived in his shiny red sleigh drawn by two beautiful reindeer. Donner and Blitzen were their names because they travelled so swiftly, like thunder and lightning. Nicholas looked at the two beautiful animals and thought how much quicker they would pull him around the village on Christmas eve than his old horse Lufka, who was now getting slower and slower as the years passed by.
All the time the squire was talking, the woodcarver was gazing admiringly at the fine suit of red deerskin he was wearing. The coat was rather long and belted at the waist, the trousers loose and tucked into shiny black leather leggings. Soft white ermine fur was around the coat at the collar, cuffs and the bottom, with the same beautiful fur around the close-fitting hat. After the squire had left, Nicholas carried on with his work but his mind was on the beautiful red suit.
“There’s no reason why I can’t have one too,” he said to himself. “I’ve been going around dressed like an orphan instead of a wood carver for far too long.”
The very next day Nicholas paid a visit to Widow Arpen, the best dressmaker in the village.
“I want a fine red suit, Mrs. Arpen.” he started. “You know the one the squire wears?” The woman nodded. “Well unfortunately I can’t afford such fine soft deerskin and of course I know I can’t have mine trimmed with real ermine, so what do you suggest?”
The widow thought for a moment, then said, “We could get a bolt of strong homespun from the weaver which I could dye a rich red with rowan berries. As for the collar and cuffs, well pure white rabbit skin would look just perfect.”
“Done!” cried Nicholas, and he poured a handful of gold coins onto the table, “That should cover the materials and your work.”
“But that’s far too much.” exclaimed the widow, “Why half of this would keep my whole family right through the winter.”
“Keep it woman.” smiled Nicholas. “You’ve had a hard time and I’ll not be the man to die with a chest full of gold buried under the fire place.
"The widow stood at her door and watched Nicholas drive away through the snow. “Now there’s a fine man.” she murmured, the gold coins jingling through her fingers. “A fine big man.” And so she bought the home spun which she died a beautiful bright red, but a strange thing happened. She had no pattern to go by as Nicholas was wearing the only tunic he owned, so the widow cut and sewed the suit with the image of a fine big man constantly in front of her. Nicholas was not a short man by any means but he was rather thin, and yet as Mrs. Arpen cut out and sewed the suit together, she knew she was sewing for a fine generous man and she made the suit to fit his heart instead of his body.
On the day the suit was finished and the last loving stitch placed in the soft rabbit trimming, Nicholas arrived to try it on. He went into the widow’s little changing room and came out a few minutes later - and what a picture he made.
“I can’t see myself Mrs. Arpen,” said Nicholas doubtfully, “because the little mirror in your room only shows part of me at a time, but it did seem to go on rather loosely,” he finished tactfully, not wanting to hurt her feelings.
The widow gave one look at him and burst into tears. “Oh Nicholas, I’ve spoilt your suit. I’ve ruined it. I thought you were bigger. Oh, what shall I do?”
“There, there, don’t worry about it. Look at the length, that’s all right. It’s only that I’m not as fat as I should be. Why if I ate all the food the villagers sent me why, I guarantee in a few months time you wouldn’t notice it. The trousers will be fine as soon as I buy a pair of boots to tuck them into, and what a nice cap this is! See how closely it fits and how warm looking the fur band is!”
So Nicholas kept his oversized red suit and soon the villagers became used to the tall figure in the bright red trousers and tunic, the close fitting stocking cap trimmed with fur and the shiny black leather belt and boots. And what do you think happened after Nicholas ate more porridge, vegetables and milk, week after week? Yes his face became full, his chest filled out and he even began to acquire - whisper it - a belly!
Dont' forget to look at Santa's favourite toy.