It was almost Christmas Eve.
The riverbank couldn’t have looked more magical wrapped in a white blanket of fresh snow. Jack Frost had added his special touch, with the ice he painted glittering in the morning sunlight. He had even pinned jagged icicles to the low, hanging, tree branches. It was a perfect Christmas scene!
“Hrump Hrump! Gruff!” moaned Grumpalot as he woke up.
He wasn’t happy! The tip of his nose was caked in frost. He was freezing!
He had to peck his way through the ice edging the river to reach the snowy bank. Banging into a tree branch, he was showered with the cold snow. Brrr…
“Hrumph Hrumph!” he muttered again! “Ah well, at least it’s quiet I suppose!”
But then he was disturbed by a very annoying jingle, jangle!
Grumpalot was not happy.
Then he saw him, a funny creature dressed in gleaming green with the strangest ears you ever did see. He wore a silver bell on his hat that kept ringing and he kept muttering into a black box on its wrist, “Naughty or nice, naughty or nice!”
"Hisss...hisss..." Grumpalot was getting crosser and crosser!
He snarled showing his sharp teeth.
“It isn't going to be a good day," he grumbled.
Snow goose waddled up behind Grumpalot giving him a fright!
"Calm down Grumpalot. Don't get so upset. That's Santa's elf over there. Don't annoy him."
"Whose Santa? Why has he got an elf?" he asked.
"Santa is a very kind man. Every year he brings presents to our homes if we've been good. His elves help him and they make a list of all those who have been good. Don't hiss at the elves or you won't get a present!"
"But why does he give presents?"
"Well, it’s almost Christmastime. At Christmas we show our love
and kindness to our friends. It's a very special
time, a happy time. Party time!"
Laughing, Snow Goose put a Santa hat on Grumpalot,
“This will keep you warm and get you into the Christmas spirit.”
Grumpalot wasn’t too sure about that!
The elf came towards Grumpalot and Snow Goose and said, “Let’s see, Snow Goose, very good. Grumpalot, ah...well…hmmm?”
Snow Goose blurted out, “Grumpalot used to be a little grumpy but he has a heart of gold! He’s trying very hard to be kind.”
The elf looked puzzled.
Then muttered, “Ah yes. It’s all about trying to be kind. Grumpalot, it’s time to show me that golden heart. I need help. My special radio has died. I fell asleep last night along the riverbank and lost touch with Santa’s workshop. My radio needs charging so I can get back to the North Pole to give Santa my list. It charges on something very special, reindeer breath. Can you take me down the river to find some reindeer?”
Grumpalot got very excited and let out an enormous, “Hrumph!”
The little elf jumped!
Then Grumpalot barked kindly, “Climb aboard my back and we’ll fly along the river.”
They flew high over the snowy rooftops to the King’s Palace. There in the park were the herds of reindeer.
Grumpalot set the elf down not too far away but he didn’t want to get too close to those fierce antlers! A handsome reindeer came over and took a large breath in and then let out an enormous breath spraying magical, golden droplets over the elf, who was suddenly whooshed up into the air, disappearing in a flash!
“Wow!” muttered Grumpalot in disbelief! Then he shivered with cold so quickly he flew back looking forward to his warm nest. To his surprise, it was full of the softest, warmest feathers and yummy, tasty grain. A little sparkly note from the elf read:
“Thank you Grumpalot. You are certainly on the good list now! Merry Christmas .
Grumpalot snuggled down dreaming happily about his day but he was awoken by the tingle of sleigh bells getting closer and closer. Peeping out of one eye he was amazed by what he saw…
A jolly, little man all dressed in red with bright red cheeks was tip toeing across the trees. He was dropping presents wrapped in gold and tied with red velvet ribbons into all the nests along the riverbank.
To Grumpalot’s surprise a present bumped right down hitting him on his nose! It was bigger than the others! Excitedly, he read the label:
“Dear Grumpalot, thanks for helping my elf. Glad to see you are on the good list. Merry Christmas. Ho! Ho! Ho!
Don’t open this until Christmas morning!
Love Santa X”
Happily Grumpalot tucked himself down in his nest once again dreaming happily about finding Christmas and his special present of course!
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