Andy, a little boy with tousled hair and sparkling eyes, finished his letter to Santa, carefully pressing each word onto the paper. His heart raced as he wrote his special request: a pet tiger for Christmas. "Dear Santa, I would like a tiger more than anything. I promise to be the best friend and teach him all sorts of tricks," he whispered as he folded the note.

Mother and Father glanced at each other, struggling to find the right words. "Andy, tigers are wild animals. They can’t live in a house," Mother explained gently, her voice tinged with concern. "They belong in nature, not in our living room," Father added with a soft chuckle.

Andy lay in bed, the excitement of Christmas dulled by disappointment. "If only I could show them I’d be a good tiger friend," he sighed, pulling the covers over his head.

"Please, Mom, what about a pet kangaroo?" Andy pleaded, bouncing in place. "Oh, Andy! Kangaroos live in Australia. They love wide open spaces and carry their babies in pouches. We couldn’t give a kangaroo what it needs," Mother replied, her mouth agape with surprise. Andy trudged off to school, his dreams of animal companions dimming once more.

"I have a brand new idea! How about a pet skunk? I promise I’ll take good care of him," Andy declared. "No, Andrew. Absolutely not. Skunks smell!" Mother answered, shaking her head firmly. Andy wandered up to his room, the walls closing in with his sadness.

Miss Douglas, the librarian, smiled as Andy checked out his book. "Look, Mom and Dad! Zoo animals are the best. I want an elephant. He loves peanuts, and so do I!" Andy exclaimed that evening, pointing eagerly to the pages.

Mother and Father exchanged a tired but loving glance. "Let’s see what Santa can do this year," Father whispered, tucking Andy in with a gentle hug. Andy drifted into dreams of elephants and tigers dancing through snowy fields.

Andy raced down the stairs, his heart pounding. He scanned the room eagerly. "I don’t see my elephant—maybe he’s outside!" he called, hope flickering in his voice. "Santa had a better idea. Look under the tree," Mother said, her eyes shining.

"A puppy for me?!" Andy shouted, scooping up his new friend. "Santa knew how much you wanted a pet. Now you have one of your very own," Father said, as Mother wrapped her arms around them both. The puppy licked Andy’s face, its tail wagging furiously, and a wave of joy washed away every disappointment. Andy knew, in that moment, the true magic and love of Christmas.