This is one of the most generous things I've seen around here. I love those coins. I'll be sharing a Christmas story:
T'was the final day before post offices close down for Christmas festivities in Greece. Many people had gotten there to receive or send presents, get their pension and other post-related activities.
The post office staff were doing their best to serve the overflow of citizens looking to use their services. The understaffed post office was full of people.
About an hour before the announced closing time for servicing the public, the oldest and most experienced clerk stood up an proclaimed: "I will now be locking the doors, too many people here! No one will be able to enter from now on, ask for us to unlock to get out." The post office clerks wanted to get home in time too, after this day of tiring work.
But minutes lated after the door closed, there comes a mother with her little girl. Looking to send Santa a letter. "We're closed", shouted the old clerk, as soon as she got wind of them wanting to get in. But the girl really wanted the letter to be sent.
Her mother stood by the door and as soon as it was unlocked for someone to get out, said "we're here to mail Santa". And they were let in. The mother, though, in a hurry to get back home in that cold day, would not wait in the long queue for such purpose.
She threw the letter in a letter box, but just after turning her back, the old clerk said "unstamped letters go unanswered". The little girl barely managed to hear that, but believing in Santa she started shouting and crying to her mom. People in the post office tried to lift the spirits but it was an exercise in futility. The mother still picked up the girl and left.
Luckily, a lady made a good deed, and asked the same and otherwise grumpy post office clerk to stamp the letter whenever the box was opened, paying for the stamp herself. And the clerk agreed! So the little girl will be getting a surprise response from Santa this year.
As narrated by my mother to me. She was the nice lady at the end.
Volunteers do answer Santa letters in Greece. Ain't that sweet?
