4. What happens on St Nicholas Day? 
The song “Laßt uns froh und munter sein”
tells of how the child puts out his plate then goes to bed and dreams of St
Nicholas. In the morning, he gets up and runs to the plate to
see what St Nicholas has brought. Not all children put out a plate for St
Nicholas. Some put out their well polished boots, shoes, or stockings
instead of a plate. They do not see St Nicholas who comes in the middle of
the night on a donkey or a horse. Often the children will leave
carrots or food for these animals and letters for St Nicholas.
Other
children actually see St Nicholas, who will visit the family or the school alone
or with his with his sinister looking companion. Saint Nicholas will
then ask the children questions such as:
“Have you behaved yourself?”
“Do you pay attention during class?”
“Do you do your homework?”
“Do you help your parents?”
“Do you keep your room tidy?”
In the past children were often very anxious and
quite frightened by this questioning. They have been told that St Nicholas
or his companion will spank them with the rod or put them in the sack and take
them away. However, the custom of frightening the children is also
on the decline. 
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