La Befana was a house-proud woman who entertained the Three Kings on their way to Bethlehem. She went to see the Christ child but was too late. She searches for him still. She is a kindly old witch. In Italy, on 6^th January, the smiling witch climbs down chimneys in case Jesus is living there. She puts wonderful gifts in good children’s stockings and a lump of coal in bad children’s stockings. La Befana has been leaving gifts in every house to make up for not following the star. Like Santa Claus she comes down the chimney but flies on a broomstick not in a sleigh.

Ellie