Tommy, aged five, pens his Christmas letter. His request? More brains for his family; they just don’t understand him. 

He begs his mum to post the letter. With only one day left, it may not get there in time—he might end up with no presents.

Or, he might end up with exactly what he requested. 

Santa Claus is coming. Be careful what you wish for.

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Dear Santa

Dear SAntA, 

for christmas i wish everyone else in my family had more brains. i’m really sick of my sister being so stupid. And mum and Dad are so mean sometimes.

yours,

Tommy.

PS i’m NOT little. if any one calls me LITTLE Tommy again you might not be able to bring me any presents. sorry. TB.

Tommy stared down at the sheet of paper with his tongue between his teeth and his brow wrinkled. That looked about right.

He folded it up, tucked it into the envelope, and sealed it. He pulled a face. Envelopes tasted ick.

Tommy bounced down the stairs to the kitchen and tugged on his mum’s sleeve. “Mum, Mum!”

“Tommy, why aren’t you in bed?” she said, without turning around.

“Mum, I need you to post this letter! You have to post it quick, it’s nearly Christmas and it has to get to Santa in time!” He waved the letter up at her.

She smiled and took it from him. “I’ll post it when I go to get your sister from Betty’s, okay?”

Tommy bounced on his toes. “Will it get there in time?”

She tousled his hair. “I think so.”

Tommy ran back to his room and flopped on his bed. He stared at the ceiling. Mum said she’d post the letter, but what if she forgot? What if she only said she would? It was Christmas tomorrow. There wasn’t much time.

He tossed and turned and eventually fell asleep.