A long long time ago, there was a kindly nobleman whose wife had died of an illness, leaving the nobleman and his three daughters in great despair. After losing all of his money in useless and bad inventions, the nobleman and his family had to move into a peasant's cottage. Since the family could no longer afford to have servants, the daughters did all of the cooking, sewing and cleaning.

Now, in those days when it came time for a woman to marry, the father of the bride had to give money and property to the family of the groom. This was called a dowry. The father of the three daughters became very depressed because it was almost time for his daughters to get married and he had no dowry for them.

One night after the daughters had washed out their clothing, they hung their stockings over the fireplace to dry for the next day. That same night, Saint Nicholas, knowing of the despair of the father, stopped by for a visit. Seeing all the lights out, Saint Nicholas peeked in the window and saw that the family had gone to bed. He also noticed the stockings hanging over the fireplace to dry.

Inspiration struck Saint Nicholas as he looked at the stockings. He reached into his pouch and pulled out three small bags of gold. Taking careful aim, he tossed the bags of gold down the chimney and watched as they landed in the stockings.

The next morning when the daughters awoke, they found their stockings contained enough gold for each of them to get married. Their father was very happy that he was able to see his three daughters get married and he lived a long and happy life.

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Children all over the world continue the tradition of hanging Christmas stockings. In some countries children do not hang stockings, but they do have similar customs.

In France, the children place their shoes by the fireplace, a tradition dating back to when children wore wooden peasant shoes.

In Holland the children fill their shoes with hay and a carrot for the horse of Sinterklass.

In Hungary, children shine their shoes before putting them near the door or on a windowsill.

Italian children leave their shoes out the night before Epiphany, January 5, for la Befana, the good witch.

In Puerto Rico the children put greens and flowers in small boxes and place them under their beds for the camels of the Three Wise Men.

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