Walking slowly towards the cottage, Santa could see and smell the white smoke curling from the chimney and the twinkling lights flashing through the snow-edged window. Another Christmas had come to pass, and he was looking forward to a long rest before it was time to begin again - making toys, checking off Christmas wishes from all the boys and girls and preparing the reindeer for another journey around the world and back. Looking to the left, he could see the faint glow of the lantern that dimly lit the barn, which housed the tired reindeer. He chuckled merrily recalling how valiantly the smallest one had tried to keep his eyes open, proving that he had been more than ready to make the sacred trip. It hadn’t taken long though, lying in a warm, comfortable heap before the reindeer had lost that battle. "Rest, all of you," Santa said. "We have made many happy tonight, and forgotten none." Arriving at the cottage, Santa opened the heavy wooden door and was greeted with the wonderful smells of homemade bread and gingerbread cookies. There was an enormous fire crackling heartily in the fireplace and Mrs. Claus already had a generous bowl of soup on the table, ready for him. He set his near-empty sack down and took off his heavy red coat. "It’s good to be home," he said, settling down for his warm meal and a long, cozy rest.