The legend of papa noel: a cajun christmas story - terri hoover dunham

In the deep swamps of the Louisiana bayou, Papa Noel rides the rivers in a boat pulled by alligators.

On Christmas Eve the fog is so thick, that not even Nicollete, his snowy white lead alligator can find the way.

But quicker than a snake shimmies down the river, the clever Cajun people come up with a solution that saves Christmas.

Sleeping Bear Press Around the world Santa Claus has many names.

But in a deep, swampy bayou of Louisiana, hes known as Papa Noël.

In such a hot and humid place, there can be no sleds or reindeer, so Papa Noël rides the river in a boat thats pulled by eight alligators, with a snowy white one named Nicollette in the lead.

On this particular Christmas Eve, its so foggy on the river that even Nicollettes magical glowing-green eyes may not be enough to guide Papa Noël.

The alligators are tired, grumpy and bruised from banging into cypress trees, and Papa is desperate to get all the gifts to the little children.

Well, quicker than a snake shimmies down the river, the clever Cajun people come up with a solution that saves the day.

A colorfully inventive Christmas tale, Papa Noël is a lesson in fast thinking, as well as a witty introduction to a part of America thats rich in folklore and legend.