Twas the night before Krampus, and through every house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
But far in the woods, where the moon cast its light,
A shadow was stirring—a most chilling sight.
With horns and with hooves, and a sack on his back,
The dreaded Krampus prepared his attack.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While nightmares of punishment danced in their heads.
Mama with her prayers, and I with my fears,
Knew Krampus might come for the naughty this year.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave a luster of midday to objects below,
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a ghastly black sleigh, pulled by goats, not reindeer.
With a devilish driver, so gnarled and grim,
I knew in a moment it must be him.
More rapid than vultures, his coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
"On Cloven! On Bramble! On Thorn and Blight!
Now trample the rooftop! Bring dread to the night!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away, dash away, punish them all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the housetop his coursers they flew,
With a sack full of branches—and Krampus too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each heavy hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
Down the chimney came Krampus with a bound.
He was covered in fur, from his head to his hoof,
And his breath smelled of sulfur, his manner aloof.
A bundle of switches he held in his fist,
And he looked like the judge of the naughty list.
His eyes—how they glimmered! His horns, how they curled!
His grin sent a chill through my shivering world.
His long, snaky tongue hung out of his face,
And his laugh filled the room with a dark, eerie grace.
He spoke not a word but went straight to his work,
And gathered the naughty with a swift, sudden jerk.
Into his sack, with a cry and a roar,
The children were taken—bad deeds to pay for.
Then laying a claw aside of his nose,
With a crackling flame, up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a yell,
And away they all flew, leaving only the smell.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Be good, or I'll find you next Krampus Night!"
And so I lay trembling, a lesson well learned,
That kindness and virtue must always be earned.
The perfect time to read "The Night of Krampus" to naughty children would be, the evening of December 5th. This is Krampusnacht (Krampus Night), a traditional European celebration when Krampus visits to punish misbehaving children. However, reading "Twas the Eve of Krampus" in July can be a playful yet effective off-season reminder for children to stay on their best behavior. With several months until December, it’s the perfect opportunity for them to reflect and make positive changes. You could even make it part of one of those fun "Christmas in July" events.
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