"So Santa ain't coming?"
"Afraid so. With the Reindeer's strike, me and my pals are doing the deliveries this year."
"That's too bad. I miss the ol' guy, especially the laugh. Do you also do belly laugh?"
"Sorry, not much chance in that."
"I see. But you're not so bad. Maybe not as soft, but just as cuddly."
"Thanks, I guess. Listen, lil guy, I gotta run. I still have a hundred packages to deliver."
"Aw, can't you stay a few more minutes? It's nice and cozy here, with a carpet to lie on. Do you have this up North?"
"I have to admit, it is nice to feel warm for a change. Alright, just a few minutes."
"Great! Hey, I used to have a neck bell like that. Drives the folks crazy when I hide and stay very still before I pounce on them. Say, do you pounce? I can teach you if you want..."

And that's the reason why hundreds of kids woke up to empty stockings one Christmas morn.