The Grinch That Stole Christmas

Beaverton, Oregon, about 1988-1990:

Twas the week before Christmas and all through the land,
Every creature was stirring to try their hand
At sneaking and peeking and discovering the place
Where gifts were hidden for the Chrismas date.

Success eluded them but they were so smart
So smart they found it - what joy to their heart!
They unwrapped each gift, and found with delight
The thing that brought such an excite.

They ooohed and awwwed but suppressed regret
Then came the task of concealing their secret
They wrapped up the gifts and put them back
To conceal their deceit and judgmental lack.

All of a sudden, to their horror they heard
Mother had discovered their treason so dear.
She railed and ranted and said their whole name
As they dropped and shook their heads in shame.

Mother said since they'd ruined the Christmas surprise,
she'd return ALL the gifts,
Not a few
Each and every present from their view!

The children cried and pleaded and begged
But Mother stood her ground to assure they obeyed.
When Christmas arrived, the children discovered
Their treasured gifts had been recovered
Their treasured gifts were under the tree
The children cheered in relief and glee.

The grinch had appeared for a time so rare,
But never again were there groans of dispair.
Never again did the children plunder
Never again did they have to wonder
If Christmas would bring the grinch or glee
Christmas would forver be a wonder to see.

So who was the grinch that stole Christmas past
The kids who sneaked and were part of the cast,
Or the angry mom who squawked in deplore
And said she was taking their presents to the store?