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Nicholas comprehension
By Clement Clarke Moore
1881 illustration by Thomas Nast who, with Clement Clarke Moore, helped to create the
modern image of Santa Claus
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danc'd in their heads,
And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below;
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
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1. Describe the scene that the poet has set about the night
before Christmas.
2. Describe the scene that Papa saw from the window.
3. How many reindeer pull Santa Claus' sleigh and can you
name them?
4. Describe what Santa wore?
5. Write in your own words a description of how Santa said
goodbye.
6. How did Santa put Papa at ease?
7. What other name is Santa called by in the poem?
8. Discuss what are the advantages and disadvantages of
Christmas
A picture of a Modern day St Nicholas listening to the
Christmas wishes of young children
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Answers
1 The stockings were hung up by the fireplace and everyone was asleep.
Everyone was looking forward to the arrival of Santa
2. Papa saw the arrival of Santa with his sledge and the reindeers.
3. The reindeers were called Dasher, Dancer, Prancer ,Vixen,
Comet, Cupid, Donder and Blitzen. There were eight reindeers.
4. Santa was dressed all in fur and his suit was red. Snta looked like a
peddler.
5.Santa jumped into his sledge and whistled at his reindeer and gthey all
flew into the air but not before he could be heard to say Happy
Christmas and goodnight!
6.Santa gave Papa a wink from his eye and a smiling nod of his head
which immediately put him at ease.
7. Santa is also called Saint Nicholas in the poem
8. Marker to mark
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