It was Christmas Eve in 1933. Michiko looked out of her bedroom window. It was her fifth Christmas, but the streets were quiet, and there were no decorations or Christmas lights. In 1933, Japanese people didn't celebrate Christmas, though they knew about it.

She thought about that night when her grandmother had called her and her brothers to her house for tea. They were all talking about New Year and which temple they should go to in the morning.

"What about Christmas?" Michiko asked.

"Christmas?" her brother Tadafumi asked.

"Yes Christmas. Will Santa Claus come to our house tonight grandma?"

"Of course he will. You have all been very good this year," her grandmother had said smiling.

Michiko smiled as she jumped onto her bed and hugged her favorite doll Mariko. Mariko didn't seem very happy to Michiko. Why isn't she happy? she thought.

Michiko couldn't wait till next morning when she could open her present. Santa Claus was the only one who gave her a present for Christmas. Did Mariko want a present too? Maybe she did. Maybe that was the reason why she looked so sad. Should she pretend to be Santa Claus herself? No, she had a better idea.

She got into bed and pulled Mariko in with her. Quite deep in, so that you could not see her wide open eyes, but only the top of her head. Maybe Santa Claus would think that it was her little sister, and he would give a present to Mariko too.

The next morning, she woke up feeling very excited. She looked around the room, and found one very large parcel besides her pillow. But there was only one. Mariko was still tucked under the covers with only a part of her head showing, but there was no present for her,and she knew right away that Santa had been clever, and had known that Mariko was only a doll.