World Peace and a Pony, Part 3

'World_Peace.doc'

Dear ____,
Thank you for your wonderful letter. It makes me incredibly happy to see a young child care so much about the lives of others. Peace is a wonderful thing, and I would like as much as you would to see an end to wars and conflicts. But unfortunately, war is a reality we all have to face. So the best we can do for now is hope that world leaders will agree with us, and maybe then we can be happy knowing that we may see this dream realized.
All the best,
Santa Claus

Nick put the paper down. He stared into the fireplace for a while.

"Nick, aren't you coming to dinner?"

"Not now, Linda, I have to catch up on my reading, then I have a letter to write."

"Okay, I'll leave you some lasagna in the oven, you can warm it up later."

"Thanks."

Nick stared into the fireplace a little bit longer.

"Nick?"

"Yes, Linda?"

"I'm worried about you."

"You say this every December, dear. The stress at the office is really running high right now, especially this year since our investments are so down. I mean, honestly, who knew that investing in WaMu could have been such a disaster?"

"I know, but I just wish you could relax and enjoy this more. Just don't forget how happy the kids will be on the twenty-fifth."

Santa leaned over to pick up his letter-opener. Then picked up a folder labeled "2008 World Peace 11.30-12.06" and opened it.