Marty the Mouse was excited he was about to write his first Santa letter.
Not too long ago he had been worried about getting his name on Santa's naughty list.
But Jingles, one of the Santa's Christmas mice and official mail helpers, happens to be Marty's cousin, and Jingles gave Marty some advice about how he might stay on Santa's nice list.
You see, Jingles has inside information about Santa Claus and the Nice list because he gets to read all the personalized Santa letters that have been written by Santa himself.
All it takes to stay on Santa's nice list is to try your best to always do what you know is right in your heart.
Santa hopes that all children do their homework, help out with chores around the house, and always be kind to animals and humans alike - it is also important to listen to your parents.
Marty does very good in school and not only does he do his chores but sometimes he helps out his sisters and brothers with their chores.
He is always nice to everyone.
The problem is that he went into the big house even after his parents told him not to.
Marty was really sorry for disobeying his parents.
Exploring the big beautiful house is Marty's greatest joy in life.
The thing is, Marty's parents have made it clear he is not to go in the big house alone.
Sometimes Marty can't resist and he sneaks off to find adventure in the big house.
Marty thinks he might have to write lots of personalized letters from Santa this year.
Marty decided his first letter would be to thank Santa for the amazing gifts last year.
Last year Marty got a new shiny green bike.
His favorite gift was the collection of "Courage Mouse" books.
Marty was the biggest fan of "Courage Mouse".
He hoped when he was a grown up he could help mice families all over the world just like "Courage Mouse".
Marty gave Santa a summary of all the adventures "Courage Mouse" had in the books from his collection.
Next Marty wrote a Santa letter about school.
He was sure Santa would be pleased to know he had spelled all the words right on the spelling test.
Then he could write a letter describing the chores he helped out with at home.
He wrote about doing the breakfast dishes every morning and taking the trash out.
He helped in other ways as well.
Maria, his little sister, asked for his help with her homework all the time.
Just last week Marty helped Marshall, his older brother paint his bedroom blue.
He felt confident as he planned out his Santa letters.
Marty is positive Santa will be happy to hear how well behaved and helpful he has been at home and in school.
Marty's plan is for his next letter to explain to Santa how important it is to Marty to have adventures just like "Courage Mouse".
He hopes Santa Claus understands he only does good when he is out on an adventure.
He hoped that would help keep him on the nice list.
Next up was the only letter Marty was nervous about.
In this letter he was going to explain why he had disobeyed his parents and went to the big house.
He wants to be honest with Santa because Marty knows it is important to always tell the truth.
But he knows Santa already knows if he has been naughty or nice.
Marty daydreams as he starts to write his Santa letters.
He can't help but feel a bit nervous about what might happen next.
Can you imagine how many personalized letters from Santa that Marty will receive if Santa answers them all.
After Marty finishes a letter he neatly folds it and slides it into an envelope.
On the front of each envelope is the address for Santa Claus at the North Pole.
Even if he has to stay up until sunrise he has to finish all his letters.
This was something Marty had to do.
After he wrote all of his letters he mailed one off each day.
This way Santa had time to read and think about each letter.
Marty just knows his plan is going to work out.
He has to stay on Santa's Nice List - he just has to!