Santa & Old Owl

I'm trying to teach my kids to respect our earth and the inhabitants in it. After all they count on me to provide valuable information about the world. I should be sharing with them that amid the terrible news heard daily about mass extinctions animals are facing, a new species of owl (Otus sp nova, Santa Marta Screech-Owl) has been discovered in Columbia. Instead, I am introducing them to Santa Claus. I'm involved in a perpetual, widely accepted practice of deception, which is affirmed by friends, books, Hollywood, not to mention a half eaten cookie and empty glass of milk on Christmas morning. It's a cultural heritage.

In New Zealand, 85 percent of 4-year-old children and 65 percent of 6-year-olds believe in Santa Claus. I think by the age of eight most kids have lost that faith all together. I suppose it's the same thing as the Easter Bunny, Toothfairy, and the Snipe. At four and six respectively, my kids have their own views on what the world is and what lives on it.

Today, I heard them debating just how many Santas exist. Alyssa said 100 and Lewis speculated it was more like ten, and Alyssa quickly concurred. When I asked my four-year-old if Santa is real she coolly replied, "No, but the reindeer are. Some have learned to fly, but others don't want to learn. That's their choice though."

I realized they really believed in Santa Helpers, those who want to give others happiness and joy. And my kids are still very keen to receive it, as they posted their letters to Santa months ago. Hopefully they will come to realize that the gentleness and generosity of Santa lives in our hearts and in every act of kindness we perform.

In early North American Indian folklore, Owls represent wisdom and helpfulness, and have powers of prophecy. According to Navajo legend, the creator, Nayenezgani, told the Owl after creating it "...in days to come, men will listen to your voice to know what will be their future" .

Old Owl (c. late 1790-1849) was a Native American Civil Chief of the Penateka band of the Comanche Indians.[1] His name, Mo'pe-choko-pa, in Comanche literally meant "Old Owl." Around 1845 the Germans decided a treaty was possible with the fierce Comanche, Old Owl was one of the Chiefs they negotiated with. He advocated for peace, all though he was regarded with great fear, thus, highly respected.

Like so many of the Comanche, Old Owl died during the cholera epidemics of 1848-49. It is estimated that the overall Comanche population declined from approximately 20,000 to less than 12,000 in those two years. Where are they today? Will the Comanche rise once again?

This German Christmas ornament of Santa with an owl hangs on our tree. What a twist to our cultural (and world) heritage, eh?