An Elfish Secret Saves Christmas, H. C. Sweeten [great book club books txt] 📗

It was a typically hectic time at the North Pole. This year, however, it was even more chaotic because of all the iPads and Kindle Fires the kids (and parents) wanted for Christmas. Somehow, in the middle of assembly some of the components got switched and now the elves were working overtime to repair the damage and test every unit before it could be packed on the sleigh.

The Elfish Leadership Fellowship (ELF) was at their wits end because they had elves falling asleep on the job and forgetting where they were in the testing process. It was a huge mess! The ELF consisting of Mistletoe, Holly, Tinsel, Star, Garland, and Belle met to discuss what could be done to improve the situation and help the elves stay awake. They decided to try running in two shifts so the elves could get some rest. Christmas was only a week away and there were about 2,000,000 devices still to check.

By this time though, the elves were so tired that rest helped, but there were still many snoozing on the job. Santa was frantic. Then, on the Tuesday before Christmas, everything turned around. The elves were bright-eyed and no one fell asleep over their work. Everyone thought, “Wow, two nights of decent rest must have really done the trick.” Also, Santa had decreed extra candy canes for every elf, so they knew that helped too.

No one questioned the miraculous elfish spike in energy until Santa took off in his sleigh to deliver all the toys and devices to all the children (and parents). Then, the ELF met to recap. Holly said, “Wow, I didn’t think we were going to make it this time.” Mistletoe said, “Yeah, me either—whew.” “I’m ready for a holiday,” said Tinsel. Garland just smiled quietly and put his hand into his pocket. “What’s that smile for?” asked Star. “Oh, just a little secret my dad taught me a long time ago,” he replied pulling out a small bottle. “What’s that?” said Belle. “Sugar Plum Extract,” he answered. “It works like a combination of catnip and caffeine on elves. I slipped it into everyone’s cocoa every evening since Monday.”

“You did what? That’s like drugging us!” yelled Mistletoe. “Yeah, what if someone had had an allergic reaction to that stuff?” cried Holly. “What’ll Santa say,” said Belle. “It saved Santa’s bacon,” said Garland. “That still doesn’t make it right,” said Tinsel.

When Santa returned the other members of ELF brought Garland to Santa and told him what Garland had done. Santa decided since elfish physiology makes it impossible for an elf to be allergic to sugar plums and that Garland’s efforts, though misguided, had saved Christmas, he would have only a light punishment. Garland lost his candy canes for a month and was the only elf in charge of iPads and Kindle Fires for the next three months.

The End

Publication Date: 12-20-2011

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