Mark and his three brothers. Brad, Craig and Blair, were far from the ideal little boys awaiting Christmas. Even the Santa Claus threat didn't improve their behavior--much.

Every Christmas morning they tried, on the hour and halfway in between, to get their parents up: 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, and on up to six o'clock. But it never worked.

"Go back to bed. It's too early," their father always mumbled.

The suspense heightened each year until it was more than they could bear. "Mom, couldn't we open just one present before we go to bed?" Mark pleaded two weeks before Christmas.

A few days before Christmas Mark had worn down his mother's resistance to acquiescence. "Only one present now," she warned. "And that's final!"

That was all Mark needed. He cornered Brad who was just younger than himself. "Brad, have you got your present for me yet?"

Brad shook his head.

"Okay, you get me a flashlight. That's the one present I'll open Christmas Eve and we'll have this getting-up-early business licked."

"I don't get it," Brad scratched his head. "Never mind," Mark said, disgusted. On Christmas Eve the four little boys each opened a gift, and Brad made sure that Mark got his flashlight. Mark and Brad shared the same bedroom. They slept fitfully. From their parents' bedroom the two could hear their father snoring. They knew Craig and Blair were also sleeping soundly. Grinning, Mark flashed the beam of his flashlight all around the room.

Brad asked: "Tell me now. Why is the flashlight so important?"

"I'm surprised you haven't caught on. I thought you were smarter than that." He picked up the clock on their dresser and turned it up to 5:45. "You know Dad never lets us get up until 6:00. In fifteen minutes I think we can turn all the clocks in the house ahead. They'll all be six o'clock at the same time. Then Dad can't argue and say it's too early. That's why I needed the flashlight--so we won't have to turn on any lights. Gosh, I'm star\'ed."

"Me too!" Brad said.

They tiptoed into their parents' bedroom. The rhythmic snores assured them that Dad was in a deep sleep. Mark flashed the beam on the dresser where Dad always put his wristwatch at night. It wasn't there! Then his mind clicked, but he didn't dare whisper his explanation to Brad. On Christmas Eve Dad always kept it on his wrist so he could look at it every time one of the boys bugged him to get up. The beam from the flashlight revealed that his arm was resting on top of the blankets instead of under them. How lucky could they be? Brad held the flashlight so Mark could use both hands to cautiously turn the watch to 5:50.

The boys continued their clock rounds from bedrooms to living room until all the clocks read 6:00 straight up. Mark flashed his light under the tree.

"Hey, Brad, we both got skis," Mark checked the name tags with his flashlight.

"And look at these neat parkas! One for each of us," Brad whispered excitedly.

"Here's the sled Blair wanted," Mark said.

"Come on, Mark, don't do that it will ruin all the surprises."

"Aw, we can always act surprised," Mark said. "Come on Mark, don't spoil it." They quietly awakened Craig and Blair. Then all four boys burst into their parents bedroom. "Hey, Dad, can we get up?" They chorused.

Dad turned over in bed and mumbled: "Go back to bed. It's too early."

Mark put his fingers to his lips and they waited just until Dad got back to sleep. "Dad, can we get up? Please!"

"Go back to bed. It's too early." Dad said again.

"But Dad, it's sin o'clock."

"It is?" Dad opened one eye and looked at the luminous dials of his wristwatch. "I don't believe it. You're right. Mother, it's time to get up," he yawned.

"Can't be."

"But Mom, look at the clock. Both parents, half awake struggled into their robes and followed the boys down the hall to the living room.

When the parents reached the living room pandemonium reigned as each excited boy dug for his coveted gifts.

"Break it up. you guys." Dad ordered. "One at a time. You'll break something for sure. Man, that was the shortest night on record. I don't feel like I've even been to bed. How come those boys only disturbed us three times? They surely must have slept fast for a change.

After all the gifts were opened and the living room was a shambles of wrapping paper and ribbons, Mark and Brad were busily putting together the train for Craig.

Dad opened the drapes and turned on the Christmas lights outside. The tree lights shone brightly in the pitch blackness. "Say, I don't see any other lights on up the street. We're the first ones up. How come?"

"Guess they're all too tired," Mark said.

"I can't imagine the Lineards not being up as early as you guys," Dad puzzled. "Seems strange that not one other light on the street is on. We must have read the clocks wrong.

"Look at your watch, Dad," Mark urged.

"Says 6:30 all right. It agrees with the clock on the mantel." "Well, I'm certainly not hungry." Mother said. "Boy, I'm starved," Mark answered. "Guess I'd better get some breakfast going before you kids get sick on candy." She went on out to the kitchen.

Mark caught his breath. "The Jig's up," he whispered to Brad.

Mother swished back into the living room. "BACK TO BED!!! EVERY ONE OF YOU. WHO DID IT?"

"Did what?" Mark asked, attempting innocence.

Mom continued. "It's funny that the kitchen clock says 3:00."

"Darn! I forgot that one," Mark admitted.

"I'm going back to bed," Mother said, as she collected the Christmas socks filled with nuts and candy. "And I'm taking these with me. Not one mouthful! You can just wait for breakfast until I'm good and ready to get it. Go back to bed until six o'clock."

Santa Claus may be primarily for children but he is also for all of us, young or old. We had better keep in mind that Santa Claus is coming to town:

You better watch out. you better not cry You better not pout, I'm telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town. He's making a list and checking it twice, Trying to find out who's naughty and nice. Santa Claus is coming to town.

He sees you when you're sleeping He knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good. So BE GOOD for goodness sake. You better watch out, you better not cry You better not pout. I'm telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town!!!

Adapted from The Connivers from Christmas Magic by Dora Flack, Bookcraft, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah, 1977