À l’heure du tout à l’image et du buzz sans suite, «l’express» souhaite faire découvrir la plume de poètes, de chanteurs, d’écrivains et de tous ceux qui jettent leur âme sur le papier, et qui mettent en mots des réflexions profondes.

Santa’s grotto in Lapland is full of festive energy. Santa is busy reading wish letters from people around the world. The elves dressed in red and green are hopping around. They are as busy as bees. They are wrapping gifts in green and golden shimmering papers. Some of them are loading the presents on the sleighs, gifts, on gifts and they make a tower of presents.

Outside, in the snow, Rudolf is grumpy. Fresh snowflakes rest on his antlers and his nose is bright red. “A A A A…….. Achoooooooooooooooo,” he sneezes, shivering the pine trees around him. Poor Rudolf has been feeling under the weather. What could make him feel better?

The sneeze is so powerful, Santa runs out of his grotto. Santa is sad seeing Rudolf with a flu. He asks Rudolf to make a wish. Maybe that will make him feel better! “A Wish!” Rudolf’s grumpiness instantly melts. He glows up in the freezing arctic air. His red nose illuminates with happiness. In his ears, he hears the jingling of millions of bells!

Rudolf, you see, wants warmth, he wants the sunshine and he wants a Christmas on the beach. He wants to chase crabs, he wants to sip on coconut water, he wants ripe juicy litchis and yellow mangoes. Why not some juicy star fruits? All full of vitamin C.

He looks up at Santa, his expression a perfect mix of excitement and pleading, absolutely certain his Christmas wish is about to come true. He can already hear the beats of the ravanne and the sega song makes him tap his feet. “Enn de trwa, Rudolf kas so lerin…” Very sure that Santa will grant him his wish, he blurts out, “I wish to be in Mauritius… under the glorious sunshine.” “Mauritius! You mean a green Christmas! Oh no no no Rudolf! NO NO NO. Too far. We just send the gifts by post there. C’mon now, let’s get back to work, so many letters to read and gifts to pack.”

Rudolf is sad. He sighs… and all his excitement melts down. He buries his nose in the snow and gets back to his grumpy self. Santa gets back to his desk. One bright coloured letter awaits him on his desk. “Ah, a last one and then we are set to leave HO HO HO HO.” He opens the letter and his eyes widen with excitement! Did he just read MAURITIUS! And yes the letter is from Mauritius and it reads, “Petit Papa Noël, quand tu descendras du ciel, avec des jouets par milliers, n’oublie pas ma petite IVAHA adorée.”

The letter gives Santa a warmth and it triggers a genuine tender smile on his mischievous face. His heart swells with happiness. Two people are expecting a baby… They are waiting for IVAHA… Far far in MAURITIUS! Ho Ho Ho… and to Mauritius it is! “Rudolf, my boy, prepare your sleigh, we are going to Mauritius!” Rudolf is taken by surprise. Santa sings out with gusto. He has in his arms a bundle… a baby… Ivaha! The snow falls… the air is filled with merry and the bells jingle, the reindeer gallop in frenzy and it’s a Christmas wish coming true.

A cyclone warning class 3 is in force in Mauritius! As they reach, they are met with a huge eye ogling at them. It’s cyclone Cilida. Santa’s sleigh spirals out and the violent winds mock at Santa’s ‘ho ho ho’. They howl, freaking out Rudolf! The rain lashes on them and the gifts are scattered! Santa holds on to Ivaha, keeping her warm. He commands Rudolf to keep his calm.

“Furious Cyclone so bright

Churning with all your might

Swirling me as a kite

Listen to me,

Halt now your fury

Cease your anger!

I have a special gift to deliver

I command you to mend!”

Snuggled in a green blanket in Santa’s bundle, little Ivaha enjoys the swirling. Her eyes are wide with curiosity, and she coos and blows raspberries at Cilida. Ivaha is not scared at all. Her eyes are wide open and she stares at the cyclone. Her smile is wide and luminous. She wants to play with the howling winds. Cilida howls and Ivaha lets out a joyous gurgle. She laughs.

Cilida, the furious storm, feels harmony with Ivaha’s giggles. He concedes to the baby’s innocence. Santa is surprised. “You see this brave little one Rudolf!” he says with pride. Utterly charmed by this little baby, Cilida’s fury vanishes. He calms down, for you see, he was met with such innocent bravery, a toothless smile and a pure heart. Cilida clears the way and allows the sun rays to pierce the clouds.

“Ho Ho Ho Ho… the sun Rudolf!” Rudolf is excited. He feels warm. A sweet, humid air filled with the scent of wet earth and exotic flowers washes over him and… “a a a a achoooom”. “Is it the flu Rudolf?” Santa teases him! “To the hospital Rudolf… they await their special Christmas gift!”

After a cyclone warning class 3, the roads in Mauritius are full of Christmas cheer, people are shopping, the air is warm, clean, and carries the scent of sea salt, jasmine, and vanilla. Christmas trees are decorated and gifts are wrapped.

In a hospital room, Mommy and Daddy sit worried. Then, suddenly, like magic, the air changes. The room is filled with a golden glow and Santa appears in all his might with Ivaha in his arms.

Santa delivers Ivaha to Daddy. “This is not just a Christmas wish come true. She is a strong and brave little girl. She is not scared of cyclones, lightning and rain… She giggles with thunder and roars with the winds! She smiles at a furious cyclone and calms it with her innocent joy!”

Daddy is overwhelmed with pride. “She is my little hero… my brave angel.”

Santa gently places Ivaha in mommy’s arms, allowing her to feel the warmth of her daughter. Santa, with his voice filled with a grandfather’s love commands, “Never forget the strength and joy she carried through the storm. She is brave, intelligent and a very strong girl, and she will grow into a stronger girl.” Daddy and Mommy have the best Christmas gift ever, they have the bravest little girl, Ivaha!

Sitting on the beach, sipping on coconut water, Santa and Rudolf promise to visit Ivaha every year on Christmas with her gift… If she be a good girl. Rudolf gets a Mauritian sunshine every Christmas… if he be a good boy! Oh deer!

Bio

Namrata Daumoo Aukhojee

An educator with 16 years of experience teaching English Language and Literature at the secondary level, she serves as the MES English speaking test coordinator and is a national coordinator for Model United Nations, mentoring students in diplomacy and public speaking. A passionate reader and animal lover, she is committed to empowering students through language and leadership.