One bright reindeer

Everyone knows the story of Rudy (a.k.a. Rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer). But not many people know how he got his red nose. Fortunately, Kosmo the elf let me in on the secret (and no, Rudy was not bitten by a firefly).

When Rudy was young, kids at school teased him because of his big ears. Rudy was embarrassed and one day ran into the forest. Trotting along he fell down a hole, through a tunnel, into the dwarf mines. It was dark and humid, and Rudy was scared. He tried to yell but his voice couldn’t be heard. “Someone please help me”, he thought with all his might.

Suddenly he saw a little light coming his way. It was Pixie, the fairy, who heard his plea for help! “I will spray some of this magic fairy dust onto your little nose,” explained Pixie. “It will illuminate long enough for you to follow the path ahead out of the mines”. Rudy nodded contently! Pixie opened the lid of the little shiny container, and glittery dust fell on Rudy’s nose.

“Aaaachoooooo!” he sneezed with a little more force than needed. Pixie was blown out of balance and the vial flew out of her hands and emptied….right on Rudy’s nose! “Oh no!” he thought, “what now?” “I don’t know,” cried Pixie, “it’s never happened before!”

And that is how, Rudy ended up with a bright red nose to guide the sleigh.

“Come on Rudy,” Santa called, “it’s almost time!”

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Tuning the cheer

“Jeeeengel Bells Jeeengel Beels” he shrieked and the reindeers covered their ears.

“Blitzen!” shouted Prancer trying to overcome the screeching. “If we are to make any money at all this year, you’re gonna have to at least pretend that you’re singing”. “But I am singing” said Blitzer surprised. “Just try not to yell as much” said Donner.

The reindeers had gone out carol-singing. Blitzen always looked forward to this time of season, for he believed singing was his talent. He saw himself as the Pavarotti of reindeers, the pop-rock-hip-hop-opera star all in one! But none of the other reindeers thought so. Blitzen appeared so sure of himself that he wanted to stand-out, but ended up out-of-tune and yelling.

One day, while visiting Madame Lafreeze to spread the seasonal cheer, as soon as she heard the squealing amidst the singing she thought someone was in pain and rushed to call an ambulance. It took the reindeer about 30 minutes to reassure her no-one was hurt.

Even the pet penguin ran away when Blitzen started to “sing”. And Mrs Claus hid all her crystals. You know, just in case.

One day Blitzen woke up sad. He decided to take a shower to rejuvenate himself. Suddenly, the whole house woke up to the sound of a crystal-clear, beautiful melody. Dancer rushed to the shower, to find Blitzen singing happily. “See what happens, when you’re calm?” he said.

And from then on, Blitzen led the choir! Falalalalalalalala!

Cooking á la Donner

There was once a young reindeer called Donner

Who could never sit still in a corner (it really depended on the corner, though).

His favourite food was Kebab in a platter (a big one!)

Which he would get take-away from McHutter.

The other reindeers all called him chubby,

But he argued he was just big and fluffy.

He was the first in the kitchen to help Mrs Claus

For he loved how the food got stuck in his dew-claws.

When she started making the batter,

He rushed-in to engage in the spatter.

He grabbed the big knife,

The food on the counter to slice.

He was so enthusiastic and bright,

Simply carrying on in his excite.

Chopping away he went,

Not really caring what got spent.

Mrs Claus turned to see how the process was going,

For a reindeer with a knife in hand may seem a bit ironic (not for Donner though!).

Tomatoes were chopped and so was the lettuce,

Potatoes in oven and so was the Angus (yes, the burger).

Stuffing was ready to make the pies,

This was the best part of cooking for all the guys.

Mrs Claus stood aside watching all proud,

How her “little” helper had grown-up so endowed.

The pies were ready to place in the oven,

Donner even felt he had started to hover!

He lit up a match to light up the furnace,

But the gas was already on and BOOM went the premise!

Aiming for…the target

Santa woke up by the sound of window crashing and with an arrow on his butt. Muffles could be heard. Hooves jostling on the wooden floors and havoc ensued.

“CUUUUUPID!!!!!” he yelled!

Mrs Claus came in with a bowl of hot water. She knew how to treat an arrow head in the skin. After all, this wasn’t their first time.

Cupid was ashamed. Again. He didn’t mean for the arrow to hit Santa. He was practicing his archery you see, the thing he loved the most. And he was actually aiming for the target in front of him. So, it wasn’t really his fault that the arrow flew behind him instead.

“Maybe you just need to practice more,” Blitzen said trying to calm him down. “Or maybe you need to use less force,” suggested Dasher. “Maybe it’s the arrows that need to change,” said Prancer.

Cupid felt a bit better. He would try again. After all, practice makes perfect.

Comet handed him his latest invention – a “modern” arrow that would navigate itself and strike the target.

Cupid was certain he would hit bulls-eye this time.

He lifted his oak-tree bow. Placed the arrow in position and pulled back the string launching the arrow with mathematical precision into the air. For some reason though, the arrow made a U-turn and whooshed past them!

Crashing glass was heard and then…

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaoooooowwwwwwwww”, Santa shrieked.

“Whoops!” said Comet and Cupid together! Maybe Santa was the true target?!

Close Encounters of a Reindeer Kind

“Why? Why is it not possible?” he said playfully. “If we are living here, why is it not possible that they are living there? At the other side of the galaxy?” asked Comet inquisitively. “Extra-terrestrial reindeer!”

He was always the one with his head in the clouds. Literally. When flying the sleigh, Comet was the one who always flew the highest. He said he loved the “woolly” feeling of the clouds sliding against his ears.

Comet believed that Santa’s mission should not be confined to this planet alone and that the cheer could be spread throughout the universe. He dreamt of flying into space and delivering gifts to the Martians. So he made it his goal to make the sleigh into a festive rocket-ship which would be able to reach other planets.

They called him a dreamer. But he said he wasn’t the only one.

He put on his work clothes and entered the garage where his test-sleigh was kept. All his tools were set out on the floor around it. There was still a lot to be done. But Comet was sure. He would one day fly (or dance) with the stars.

He began drilling the sides. Then tried to fire-glaze a component he built last week. He called it the “fly cracker”.

Nothing seemed to happen.

Then…

“Caboom!” The sleigh rocketed off, flew up for a few metres, then came crashing down.

Santa yelled. And Comet thought, “well, maybe next year!”

While he was sleeping

She chose her finest silk negligée to wear for tonight. Pink and see-through. Sprayed one flick of her sensual aroma in the air to walk through like she saw rich ladies do in the movies. Put on her high-heeled sandals with the fluffy pink feathers and was set. If Prancer saw her, she would have called her pretentious and sluty. But she knew that was the jealousy talking. She was just ravishing. And everyone could see that.

She tiptoed (as much as possible on four inch heels) out of her boudoir and into the hallway. It was dark. The wind had blown-out the side candles and she could barely see where she was going. It’s a good thing she knew exactly where Cupid’s door was. She opened it slightly and heard him rustle the sheets as he rolled over. She slowly walked in. She had played this out in her head so many times, she was certain that it would all go perfectly. She was a diva after all. Simply irresistible. He was covered up over his head. She could barely see anything except the sheets moving. She leaned in and whispered in his ear “don’t worry, I’ll keep you warm tonight”. She lifted up the sheets and crawled in.

“Ouch!!!” yelled Santa and sprang up. “Vixen, what on snow are you doing here?””

Vixen blushed! She had the wrong room! “Bad dream!” she said and rushed out. What a nightmare before Christmas!

Deer-y me!

“Oh deer, oh deer! Wake up, wake up!” Prancer barged into the bedroom jumping around trying to get everyone up. Comet opened an eye, but thought he was still in a trance so fell back asleep. Blitzen jolted up and nearly fell off the bed. “What’s all the racket about?” asked Donner still half-asleep. “I got in! I got in! They want me!!” yelled Prancer, barely managing to breathe. “Vogue wants me!!! I’m going to be the Reindeer of the Year in the Annual Deer Awards!!!” Prancer was ecstatic! The others, not so much. They were still REM-ing they couldn’t quite figure out what was going on. All they could see, at least dimly with their eyes half-shut, was this proud reindeer prancing around in the bedroom waving a letter it was clutching in its front hoof. There was one question in everyone’s head regarding all of this: why on earth did the postman come so early today?

Prancer was skipping and hopping and dancing and singing. It was her dream after all to be acknowledged as the fashionista she was by an internationally renowned magazine. And which better than Vogue? All the famous reindeer models and designers were featured in Vogue.

Prancer was an expert in fashion and style. She was the one who chose all the outfits for the reindeer, the elves, the maids; even Mrs Clause valued her opinion. And now she was to be famous! Bring on the cheer!

“Dancing with my elf”

It was almost daylight. He snuck in from the back door hoping no-one would be up yet. His head was spinning. Perhaps that fifth mojito was a bit too much. But Indeera insisted and he just couldn’t say no. The door creaked (when would Blitzen finally fix it?). He froze. Held his breath for a moment. Then hoof by hoof he made his way to the kitchen. It was still dark. He reached for the fridge and as soon as he opened its door the whole room lit up. ”Wow!” he thought, “that’s bright”.

“Dancer!” yelled Nemoy, the head elf.

“Yellow!” replied Dancer half drunk.

“Where have you been?” shouted Nemoy.

“Em, out to get milk?” said Dancer, turning around. “So where is it then?” asked Nemoy pointing to the empty fridge. “Cows were out” responded Dancer. Nemoy got angry. Dancer couldn’t man-h-oeuvre his way out of this one. He was scolded like no reindeer was scolded before.

But then the hiccups came. That’s what happens due to the anxiety. He thought singing might rescue him and help loosen up the atmosphere. After all, everyone knows it doesn’t take much for an elf to start singing and dancing for no apparent reason. And it worked! Soon a drunken reindeer and a middle-aged elf in its pyjamas were partying-on in the kitchen!

It didn’t take long for everyone else to wake up to out-of-tune carol-like singing. It was official. The holiday season had arrived!

Run Dasher, Run!

It was a cold morning up in the North Pole. Dasher woke up at sunrise for his usual morning exercise. You see, he was the sporty reindeer. Accustomed to the discipline and training that comes along with the athletic mentality. He was the fast one, who as a young calf would sprint all across Lapland in no time.

Mrs Claus was up early today. She had to get the cooking going for there was a party tonight to celebrate the countdown to Santa’s payday. Seeing Dasher was up early, and sensing she could get some use out of his speed and agility, she sent him out for some dips for the party. Everyone knew the panda in China made the best ones. So off Dasher speeds into the woods (situated across the borders), when all of a sudden, dark as it was (as it usually is during winter), he strikes into a tree and a chipmunk falls onto his head bearing his acorns with it. Scared as a bunny in a hat, Dasher raced off, running as if there’s no tomorrow. (Yes, for an athlete, he’s not very brave).

“Frap”. Dasher ran into something! Oh! It was a scarecrow and a lion looking for this wizard somewhere. Realizing what happened, they managed to restore his lost courage, so much that he was at the panda’s house and back to La Nieve Vista (a.k.a. Santa’s house) before Rudy lit up. Let the party begin!

A seasonal writing challenge

It’s that time of the year again! When you’re sitting by the window procrastinating (as always), searching for some candy in that sock hanging from the fireplace (no, it’s not just any sock, it’s that special red one with a white fluffy lining, you know) and eagerly awaiting those precious snowflakes to fall. It’s the season to be jolly after all. And even if we each have something special in mind (or even two, if like me you have a birthday coming up too!) then you are definitely in for some Christmas (and New Year) cheer!

To help get into the mood this season, I’ve decided to enter a writing/blogging competition. ‘Coz nothing says excitement like a good challenge! And it is thrilling! And fun! BlogFestivus 2012: a seasonal short story writing challenge promises to bring the candy to your cane and the icing on your cake! The aim is this: nine short stories (243 words to be exact) in nine days (11-19 December) about nine reindeer (yes, Santa’s, I don’t really know any other!).

So, follow me and engage in the adventures of Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and of course, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and get ready for the most wonderful time of the year! Just don’t forget those mince-pies in the oven!

P.S. Photo is from the official invitation for the challenge (blogdramedy insisted!)