.Reindeer Wanted

Once upon a time way way up at the North pole,something happened in Christmas Town,that almost stopped Christmas from comming.
It was the day before Christmas,Christmas Eve to be exact. When all of Santas reindeer came down with a terrible case of the chicken-pox.
It was awful. Really quite a sight to see. All the reindeer were covered with tiny red spots,and frantically scratching from the tips of their antlers,to the soles of their hoofs.
Mrs. Clause was busy,running here and scurrying there. Giving one reindeer a glass of juice and taking another's temperature. Telling one not to scratch and another to take a nap.
Caring for eight very itchy and scratchy
reindeer,was not an easy task to do.
Santa Clause was very upset. He didn't know what to do. Not a reindeer one,would be able to pull his sleigh,for his long winters night journey on Christmas Eve,to deliver his toys around the world to all the good little boys and girls.
'Who? cried Santa.'Who? Who will pull my
sleigh? Oh what will all the children think when
they wake on Christmas morning,and find no gifts from santa beneath their christmas trees?'
'Don't worry Santa,'said Alvin,Santa's lead elf.'I had an idea and I put it to work.'I
made lots of signs advertising,'Reindeer wanted to work.'
'What a wonderful idea,'Santa exclaimed. And he patted Alvin on top of the head.
Alvin was pleased that Santa liked his idea. His face gleamed with pride and then Alvin
said,'I'm sure out there somewhere is a reindeer who'll help.'
Alvin got busy and set out to work. He
opened a small office at the entrance to town,to
interveiw any reindeer that might come around.
He stoked up a fire and sat on top of the desk just twiddling his thumbs,hoping that soon a reindeer would come.
A short while later came a small knock on the door."Come in ,'answered Alvin,as he jumped to the floor.
In through the door stepped a small freckled face boy,followed by a very strange looking reindeer.
'Hello,'greeted Alvin.
'Hello,'the boy replied. "My name is Peter and this is my reindeer named Spot. We heard about Santa's trouble and we came to help.'
'Pardon me,'Alvin replied.'I don't mean to be rude and I don't mean to stare,but your friend Spot,is the funniest looking reindeer I have ever seen.'
Spot was white with black spots. Floppy ears and a long shaggy tail. The antlers that sat crooked on top of his head,were wrapped with red ribbon and tied in a big bow just under his chin.
'You know,'exclaimed Alvin. 'Spot looks more like a puppy than a reindeer to me.'
'Well he is,'the small boy replied. 'Santa has always been so loving,givingand kind. When we heard that he was having trouble,we wanted to repay his kindness and offer our help.'
'I am pleased,'Alvin politely replied.'That you wanted to help Santa and all of the elves. But Santa needs reindeer to pull his large sleigh. I thank-you for comming and have a nice day.'
The boy and his pup sadly started to walk away.'Wait!'called out Alvin,not wanting the boy to return home felling so badly.'Why don't you go and visit Mrs. Clause and the elves. I'm sure that she would be delighted to have you taste,some
of her delicious hot cocoa and cakes.'
'Thank-you!'the small boy replied with
glee. The spotted pup gave out a yelp and wagged his shaggy tail. Then he gave Alvin a great big
slurp on his pointed ear.
'Next!'called out Alvin,and in through the door stepped a red-headed girl with an orange
striped cat.
'Oh my,'exclaimed Alvin,and he looked out the door. Lined up outside there were even more.
There were children with their pets from all over the world. There was a hamster and turtle. A frog and a rabbit. A pony named Barney and a goat pulling a cart.
All of them had antlers tied to the tops of their heads. Some tied with ribbon. Some with string or twine. Some even used fishing line.
'My my,'sighed Alvin skaking his head.
'Whatever am I going to do? Isn't there one single reindeer among you? Santa needs reindeer to pull his large sleigh. Not a puppy,a kitten.
A turtle or frog. Not a hamster or rabbit. No,not
even a pony named Barney or a goat with a cart will possibly do.'
Alvin sent all the children and their pets to visit Mrs. Clause for awhile,to try some of her delicious hot cocoa and cakes.
Then disapointed that his plan had not worked,he set out to find Santa and tell him the bad news.
After hearing what happened,Santa went to the workshop to see for himself,all the children and their pets,who were kind enough to offer their
help.
When Santa opened the workshop door his heart filled with glee. The sight was so funny that he fell to his knees. Santa was so jolly that
he gave out his loudest 'HO!HO!HO!'ever. And his
tummy jiggled and shook like a bowl full of jelly.
When Santa could finally stop laughing,he got up off his knees and gave a short speech.
'Thank-you ever so much children for comming and being so kind. But I need flying reindeer to pull my sleigh. I guess I'll just have to postpone my trip untill my reindeer are well.'
'Oh Santa,'Mrs. Clause exclaimed. 'You've never missed a Christmas yet. Isn't there something that we can do?'
'I'm afraid not my dear,'Santa sadly replied.'The children's pets could probably pull my sleigh,but they can't fly. And we would never make the long trip around the world by land in time.'
Then Donar and Blitzen,Santa's two lead reindeer,although they were itching and scratching
terribly,came up with an idea and whispered into
Alvins ear.
'Why yes!'shouted Alvin.'Why didn't I
think of that?'
Alvin ran to the warehouse where they stored all of the toy making supplies. He pulled
an old dusty toy sack off the top shelf,and quickly took it to Santa.
'What's this?'Santa curiously aked,as he reached deep down inside the old dusty sack. He
pulled out his hand and inside were eight tiny
kernels of corn.
'Oh yes,'he exclaimed.'These are the magic
corn kernals that the Snow Wizard gave me many
many years ago. I'de forgotten all about them. These tiny corn kernals gave my reindeer the
power to fly. Give one kernal to each pet,'Santa excitedly instructed Alvin.
Alvin did as Santa had told him,and you'de never imagine what happened next.
The spotted pup leaped up into the air. He was flying.
Santa laughed joyfully as the pup flew
around workshop,and flew to close to a christmas tree,knocking the star off the top.
Soon all of the animals were practicing flying around the work shop. The spotted pup
whizzed by Alvin and licked him on the cheek.
'Hurray!' shouted the children,Mrs.Clause
and all the elves.
'It looks like my trip is back on!'shouted
Santa happily.'Now let's get busy.We've got a long
night ahead of us.'
The elves got busy and loaded the sleigh,with all the toys that they had made.
Mrs.Clause brought Santa his red suite,hat,and black boots. Then made him eat loads
of her delicious hot cocoa and cakes.
Alvin harnessed all of the children's pets
to the sleigh. Then Santa hopped onboard and said,
'Come along children,it's time that you were home
and safely tucked into bed.'
Then,'Onward!'he shouted. And it was quite a sight that Christmas Eve night,to see Santa's
sleigh being pulled through the air by a frog and
a turtle. A hamster and rabbit. A black and white
spotted pup,and an orange striped cat. A poney named Barney and a goat with a cart.
Alvin sat happily in the goat's cart,grinning from ear to ear.
And you could hear Santa shouting as he
flew through the night,
'Merry Christmas to all!
'And to all a good year!
THE END...........