It was Christmas Eve and Santa was running late, he sped off to work without finishing his plate.

Over a swamp, way down in the south, Santa’s stomach began to growl.

​Santa’s stomach growled loudly.
It growled thunderously.
It growled so loud it woke up little miss Viola Marie.
​
“I know that sound,” exclaimed Viola Marie, “Someone’s hungry! Who could it be?”

​She looked out her window and squealed with glee, "It’s Santa! Santa Claus is hungry!”
​
Viola flung the window open and cheered, “Santa! I can feed you. Please come here.”

​With a growl in his tummy and a twinkle in his eye, Santa decided to take a break that night.

​“My mom made a Christmas Gumbo,” Viola whispered to Santa, “She probably won’t notice if a little was gone.”

​Santa ate one bowl of gumbo, then two, then three! He ate and ate until there was none left for Viola’s family.

​“Oh no!” the little girl cried.

Then Santa smiled and winked his eye.

With a wave of his hand and a little bayou magic, the most wonderful Christmas miracle happened.

The empty pot was empty no more. Viola Marie couldn’t believe it! She fell to the floor.

But Santa was not done, no not yet. He pulled out a spoon and a celery stick. He placed them in the pot and took a step back. He looked at Viola Marie and let out a big belly laugh.

A shiny red nose appeared on the pot, and Viola Marie giggled a lot.

“Viola Marie meet Roux-Dolph,” Santa grinned, “I have a feeling you’ll be great friends!”

“Thank you for feeding me, but I must be going. I have a whole world to see."

Santa stuffed the stockings and returned to his reindeer. Some say the smell of gumbo followed him through the air that year.

Now every Christmas, down in the bayou, Santa stops to visit Viola and Roux. The gumbo never runs low and there’s even plenty to eat, even for you!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas. May all your days be filled with gumbo and happiness.

Written by: Kelly Airhart