Dear children, gather around

A long time ago

When I was a child

Back in the 1960’s

Television was black and white

We watched a weekly show

“Once Upon A Time”

By a kindly man, a story teller

Called Jimmy O Dea

Each week before his story

He lit his candle

With a box of matches

Sat in his old chair

He told his stories every week

Ten minutes long

We were all enthralled

Life was very black and white then

He brightened our day

At Christmas it was special

He had great stories

Like Jack and the Beanstalk

Or the Pied Piper of Hamlin

And I was eight Christmases of age

He would tell us to be good

And Santa would not forget us

It was a magical time

So simple yet special

Now everything is so modern

With mobile phones and computers

But I think of those magical times

When he finished his story

He blew out his candle

The end for another week

And we waited with bated breath

For Next week’s show

Once upon a time

He was our friend we felt, or advisor

So, if you are good

To your family and neighbours

Santa will not forget you at Christmas

BRENDAN MAHON

DECEMBER 2024