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Initials PC/V/WH/EEH



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: EACH YEAR TOWARDS THE END OF NOVEMBER - ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE HIS BIRTHDAY ON DECEMBER 5 - 'ST. NICHOLAS' TRAVELS BY SEA FROM HIS HOME IN SPAIN TO AMSTERDAM. DURING THE NEXT TWO WEEKS HE'LL RIDE HIS WHITE HORSE ABOVE THE ROOFS OF DUTCH HOUSES, LOOK DOWN THROUGH THE CHIMNEYS TO SEE IF THE CHILDREN ARE GOOD OR BAD AND THEN MAKES APPROPRIATE NOTES IN A HUGE NOTEBOOK.

THIS, AT ANY RATE, IS WHAT SMALL DUTCH CHILDREN BELIEVE. AND IN AMSTERDAM TODAY (SATURDAY) CROWDS OF THEM WAITED AT THE DOCKS TO WELCOME ST. NICHOLAS (OR SANTA KLAUS - BUT TO BE CONFUSED WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS AS FAR AS THESE CHILDREN ARE CONCERNED). THEY WAVED FLAGS, SANG SONGS ABOUT HIM AND WENT WILD WITH EXCITEMENT WHEN HIS TINY STEAM VESSEL ARRIVED ALONGSIDE.

ON THE GREAT DAY, NOVEMBER 5, ST. NICHOLAS RIDES OVER ALL THE ROOFS AGAIN AND DROPS PRESENTS THROUGH FOR THE ALL GOOD BOYS AND GIRLS AND BIRCHES FOR THE PARENT TO BEAT THE BAD CHILDREN WITH...IF THE CHILDREN BEHAVED VERY BADLY IT'S LIKELY THEY'LL BE BUNDLED UP INTO ST. NICHOLAS' SACK AND CARRIED BACK WITH HIM TO SPAIN.