Snow covered the ground, and big fleecy flakes fluttered against the window panes of the little brick house where lived Mother Grunty and her two little pigs.

Blacky-ears, the older of Mother Grunty's children, was filling the wood box, singing at the top of his voice—

Little-wee Pig, the younger one, was helping Mother Grunty beat eggs for frosting and had hummed "Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way" until his mother did wish he would change the tune.

So, you can easily guess that the month was December and that the exact time was the day before Christmas.

"Wish I'd get a bicycle," puffed Blacky-ears excitedly, as he carefully placed the last large chunk in the wood box.

"You have done well these last six months," answered Mother Grunty with a happy smile, "Perhaps Santa Pig will bring it."

A knock at the door! The postman handed Mother Grunty a large parcel, very mysterious in its red seals and "not-to-be-opened-until-Christmas" marker.

"Put it in the old green trunk in the attic, Blacky-ears," said Mother Grunty with a broad smile. "And then hurry down, for we must get ready to go over to the schoolhouse."

Every Christmas eve Miss Pinky Pig, all gaily dressed in frills and ribbons, held a Christmas entertainment at the schoolhouse. For five years she had taught the little piggies the "rule of three," and on each of the five Christmas eves every one of those same piggies had been too happy for words!

When Mother Grunty and her two excited piglets entered the schoolhouse, they were received by Miss Pinky Pig, who was very glad to see them.

"That's the very grandest Christmas tree I ever saw!" breathed Blacky-ears, as Mother Grunty smoothed a stray lock and straightened his tie.

"Oh, Miss Pinky, do you suppose Santa will really, truly come here to see us?" asked Little-wee Pig.

"Yes, he has promised to come," answered Miss Pinky Pig.

Then when she gave the signal, Little-spotty Pig seated herself at the piano and half shyly waited to be joined by Kinky-tail Pig, who carried his violin with great dignity.

As the music sounded, the audience became very quiet. At the close of the duet Miss Pinky Pig arose. "The primary class will sing 'Welcome, Kind Pigs, One and All'," she announced.

And how they did sing! The parents and friends smiled to see the real joy that shone in the face of each little singer. Miss Pinky Pig seated them quietly before she said, "Now Brown-bacon Pig will recite 'Christmas in Pigland'."

And after songs and drills and recitations, a jingle of bells brought all the little folks to their feet.

"O-h-h!" they cried, scarce knowing how to believe their eyes. For there, peeping around the big, sparkling Christmas tree, stood Santa Pig!

And you should have seen his pack! It was simply spilling out candy boxes and oranges, blocks for the boys and paper dolls for the girls!

"Well, little ones," said Santa Pig, as he shook hands with each one. "Now I must leave you. Be good another year. You have the very best teacher in all Pigland. Merry Christmas! And good-night to one and all!"

With that, Santa Pig, his bells jingling a merry farewell, left the room and—I suppose—jumped into his magic sleigh and flew away over the housetops!

Then Miss Pinky Pig came to the platform and invited them all to stay for cakes and sweet milk. What a buzzing as all the little pigs wished each other a Merry Christmas! And such jolly laughter pealed forth as they showed each other the gifts Santa had brought!

"Come, Little-wee and Blacky," smiled Mother Grunty a half-hour later, as she started for the cloak room. "If we do not get home and to bed, Santa Pig will not have time to fill our stockings."

So cheerfully home and happily to bed went Blacky-ears and Little-wee. And before you could wink twice, off to dreamland they slipped—a dreamland full of sparkling evergreen trees and music and gifts.

There was only one little fellow disappointed that night. And his name was Bad Boy Mischief! He had not had one minute's chance to sit on anyone's shoulder or to whisper in anyone's ear. Somehow, he never is wanted when everyone is happy and busy doing something to make others glad.