u/Snav1

Pa rum pum pum, pum, beats Prin’s little heart, one more night and it’s Christmas at last. She reads from her book, “Not a creature was stirring,” Of Christmas cheer, young Prin is learning.

When a squeak and a pop, appears a hat with a flop, a jingling bell, hanging a top. Crimson soft, tinsled red robes and tiny brown boots that curl at the toes

Parcels of colour, swirl in Prins head, “Fairy lights and angels, an elf on my bed!”

The merry little creature squeaks in delight, “Yohoo wanoo, presents and lights!” He leaps from her bed, pulls off her sheets, Spilling young Prin, from her cosy warm seat.

Filled with the sprit, Prin shows no fear, and offers no snort, at his long pointy ears. But rather young Prin, intrigued beyond most, says, “Hello little elf, may I offer you toast?”

“Toast?’ says the elf, with a jingle of bells “What is this toast? Is it like chestnuts on the fire they roast?” “It’s bread,’ Prin says, with a smile so swell. “Come little Elf, I’ll have some as well.”

They creep down the stairs, through the dark of the night, With little Elf, Prin is feeling no fright. So they hop down the steps, going two at a time, baubles on ceiling hanging from twine. They slink lightly past the grandfather clock, And there’s tinsel and holly and snow through the blinds.

But then a murmur they hear, coming from lounge, “Is it him? Is it Santa in town?” “I need to tell you something,” says the Elf, with a frown. “Is it Saint Nick, The Santa Clause? Is it Father Christmas, in his gorgeous red gown? “Ican see them all now, my presents and treats, parcels of silver, tied with bows of pink. “Crumbs of cookies on the saucer I left, maybe a whisker of beard, or his hat of red. “Oh I’m excited, my little Elf friend, may we have a peak, before his visit doth end?”

“Young little Prin, it is indeed, jolly Saint Nick waiting within. “But he’s not what you think, for a secret needs tell. “But I fear it may shock you, and hurt you as well.” “Please little Elf,’ Prin drops to his height. “Don’t worry about me, I shall not take fright.”

The elf says nothing, not a peep, nor a squeak, could it be so bad, that it would make Prin weep?

“What could it be?” Prin wonders aloud, she looks to the window, her thoughts a crowd. Finally and at last, Elf raises his eyes, “OK, little girl, now don’t be surprised, Creep to the Door, open it a crack, and quietly search, for Santa’s red sack.” Prin does as she’s told, and opens the door, and wanders her eyes across lounge floor. She gasps in fright, takes a step back, and trips over the Elf and falls flat on her back. The murmuring stops from the room beyond, footsteps draw close, and it doesn’t take long. The door swings open, revealing the truth; the secret of Santa, and the magic goes poof.

Smiling from the light of the lounge behind, stands Prin’s Mum and Dad with faces so kind. “You’re Father Christmas?” Prin says with a croak. “You bring my presents? You wrap my gifts? And allow all the thanks to fall on some bloke?” The parents look at each other with sadness and alarm, but their frowns soon turn round and they scoop little Prin, into their arms. Squeezing her tight, they carry her upstairs, confused at the smile, beaming behind hair. They enter her room, and lay her in bed, “Do you have no questions?” they say, stroking her head. But Prin ushers them out, and in joy she doth say: “My parents are Santa! This is the best Christmas Day!0

With a hop, a skip and a merry little jump, Elf springs from the floor, dancing through, the open lounge door. He snaps his fingers, and floats to the hearth, ducks into the chimney, and is swept to the stars. Landing in a sleigh, golden and blue, with trims of red, and silver tinsel of course, decorating it too. Sitting in sleigh is a jolly large elf, a fan of good food but, is in good health. A long curly beard, whiter than snow, red robes, black boots, and scarlet red cheeks, in the night aglow. He looks down at the elf, a questioning gaze. “I’m presuming you accomplished what you set out to do, we have hard times coming, and more to do too.” “But let’s not worry,”says The Santa Claus. “For as long as there are people like those below, forever our memory will reflect in the snow.” With that he tugs, gently on reins, and there’s a thunder of hooves from his reindeer train “Up, up, my friends! Up, up and away!” And off in the air, flies the spirits of good health. The Father of Christmas and The Elf on the shelf.