2 Friday, December 18, 2020 brooklintowncrier.com Less than half the picture: By Richard Bercuson Santa - Ace public servant A 19th century king of Siam was portrayed by the late actor Yul Brynner in a 1950s Broadway musical and film. When confronted with a western convention he couldn't make sense of, the character would proclaim, "Tis a puzzlement." Then there was my friend and hockey colleague who had a more contemporary response. He'd just say, "I don't understand." Such is my inability to fully comprehend Santa. This astoundingly adept public servant is ubiquitous. In recent weeks, I've seen him in three different locations. There is no science, junk or otherwise, to properly explain the magic of his omnipresence. However, he is not without certain practicalities. Recently, we took our little grandgirls to an outdoor Christmas event that ended with a socially distanced visit with him where he was perched on a bale of hay. A white Nissan was parked behind. I'm guessing it made more sense for him to get around by car than risk frequent inclement weather in the clouds. But is he given a pass on speed limits? I don't get it. As well, his innate and quite superior communication skills, particularly with children, baffle me. While he can speak any language, one could cynically explain that nodding and smiling are universal, that you hardly need to be able to actually converse with a child who just wants stuff. Except he's also always had the same knack non-verbally. Recall the olden days when it was deemed safe to sit on his knee or get a hug. Although we realize not every Christmas wish will come true, he makes us feel good anyway. He listens to our often outlandish wants without ever promising that he definitely will get that pony for the backyard. Find a public servant who is remotely as accommodating. Once upon a time, he sat in Montreal's Eaton's toy department by the day. You'd have thought all that sitting would be unhealthy, continued on page 3