Caga Tio

This is the look on David's face when he saw what his cousins had been excitedly shouting about.

A joyous household moment! The missing Caga Tio had been found in the basement.

David had never seen anything like this in his basement.

The mother of the David's cousins had read them a story the year before about a Caga Tio that had babies. David's cousins began to check on their Cago Tio, now stored in their basement, even going as far as planning to whom they would be giving the baby Caga Tios as presents.

That is when theirs disappeared. 

The Caga made his reappearance a few days after we got there, much to the glee of the girls.

I had seen Caga Tios at the Christmas market in Barcelona.

One this size might cost 50 Euros. 

A beautiful log with legs and a brightly painted face.  I began to plan ways to get one myself for out at the lake.  I, too, could use many good gifts created in this fashion next Christmas Eve.

The price I quoted would not include the accessories: socks, a hat and a blanket which were quickly added by all three kids.  I didn't think to ask, but the blanket must add a measure of privacy.

The point of having  this creature around is to feed it, so that it can supply good presents on Christmas Eve -- at a big party to be held with all of the cousins present.

Thus, there is food every night, placed at the feet of the Idol of the Cago Tio.  The parents give serious warnings to children about giving the Caga nutritional food.  So the chocolate treats and the lemon flavoured madelines make their way back to the kitchen and apples and whole wheat bread are placed on the plate instead.

Apparently, eating sweets and candy do not give the Caga Tio the ability to poop out good presents.

Now you are seeing David hard at work.

He has a vested interest in good nutrition -- for someone else, if it means getting good presents.

Arta