Storytime Day 16: The Christmas Santa Almost Missed

Synopsis: It was Christmas Eve, and all of the elves and Santa Claus were excited to get all of the toys ready to deliver to children around the world. But, Santa had one last chore to do. He wanted to give little presents to all of the animals in the forest, including Barney Bear who was asleep in his cave. When Santa quietly places Barney’s present next to his nose, Barney snores like thunder and a mountain of snow crashes to the ground and covers the entrance to the cave. How will the elves get Santa out of the cave in time for Christmas? Find out what happens when the elves decide to ask Eli, Santa’s very first helper, and wisest elf for help. Play the audio version of  “The Christmas Santa Almost Missed“ while reading along with the story below, A Twin Sisters® E-Book - by Karen Mitzo Hilderbrand and Kim Mitzo Thompson "The Christmas Santa Almost Missed" · 2017   Narrator: Kim Mitzo Thompson ·  Author: Cathy East Dubowski · Illustrator: Nan Pollard Santa and his elves were up early. It was Christmas Eve, the happiest and busiest time of the year. “We’ll never get everything ready tonight!” said Felix. “Oh, don’t worry so much,” said Santa laughing. “We’ve never missed a Christmas yet!” By sunset, every doll was dressed, every wheel was in place, and every ball had just the right bounce. But Santa had one more chore to do before he left. He climbed into a small sled with his elves, Gus and Gertie. “I’m off to deliver presents to my animal friends,” he said. “Make sure all the toys are on my sleigh by the time I get back!” “Yes, Sir!” said the chief elf, Jared. “Anything else?” “Yes!” shouted Santa. “Enjoy yourselves! It’s Christmas Eve!” With the flick of the reins, Santa and his two helpers dashed off into the falling snow. There were presents for each of the young rabbits. And there was something special for the little fawn. “Some of my enchanted jingle bells!” Santa whispered to its mother. Santa even had something for Barney Bear though he’d been a bit mischievous this year. “Barney!” called Santa, “I’ve a present for you!” The sound of deep growly-bear snoring shook icicles from the roof of the cave opening. Quietly Santa tip-toed into the cave. Deep inside the cave, Barney was curled up fast asleep. Santa laid Barney’s present next to his nose so he’d see it as soon as he woke up. “Merry Christmas, Barney!” whispered Santa. Just then, Barney turned over and snored like thunder- so loudly it shook the walls. “Santa!” Gertie shouted into the cave, “Look out!” Gus and Gertie stared in horror as a mountain of snow crashed to the ground. It covered the entrance to the Barney’s cave. “Santa!” shouted Gus, “Are you alright?” “There’s no answer!” cried Gertie. “I’ll start digging,” Gus told Gertie. “You run for help and hurry!” Back at Santa’s workshop, the other elves were worried. “Santa should have been back by now,” said Felix. “It’s almost time to go!” Gertie stumbled into the lamplight gasping for breath. “Santa’s in trouble!” she cried. Quickly, she told the others what had happened. Felix looked around sadly at the tiny elves. “We’re too little!” he moaned. “It’ll take us forever to dig Santa out. Maybe all night, Santa might miss Christmas,” shouted the elves. “I’ve got an idea!” said Jared. “Old Eli lives just over that hill. He was Santa’s very first helper and he’s the wisest elf that ever lived. He’ll know what to do!” Quickly, the elves piled into Santa’s toy-filled sleigh. With a shake of their jingle bells, the reindeer leaped into the air. Minutes later, the elves stood before a small ancient cottage. The door was squeaked open and out peered a tiny elf. His white beard reached down to his toes. “That’s Eli! How can he help?” cried Felix. “He’s as little as we are and he’s old and crooked to boot.” Eli listened carefully as Jared told him what had happened to Santa. The old elf smiled. Follow me! he said softly. Inside the dark cottage, Eli unlocked a wooden cabinet and took down a dusty pottery jar. Very carefully, Eli opened that jar. “It’s magic Sugar ‘n’ Spice Dust from Santa’s very first Christmas long, long ago. This is all that’s left in the world. I’ve been saving it all these years. But tonight we must use it to save Santa,” Eli chuckled. The elves rushed to Barney Bear’s cave. Gus was worn out from digging. “I haven’t heard a sound of Santa,” he moaned. With a wink and nod, Eli mumbled some strange words. Then he flung his arm wide and sprinkle the sparkling magic dust over Santa’s sleigh full of toys. Santa’s elves had seen wondrous things in their work. But even they were astonished by what they saw. The toys in Santa’s sleigh sprang to life! Robots and teddy bears and dolls in pretty dresses began to dig with all their might. Steam shovels and dump trucks huffed and puffed as they scooped u snow A toy train hauled the snow as quickly as the busy workers could fill its cars. Shiny bicycles and toy race cars flooded the night with light. Shouting with joy, the elves too began to dig. At last, near midnight, the miniature army of toys and elves rescued Santa. “Thank you all,” said Santa. “How lucky I’m to have such wonderful friends.” “Look,” cried Gertie, “Something’s happening to the toys!” The magic dust was wearing off. Slowly, as they were falling asleep, the toys wound down and then they were still. There were only toys, ordinary toys, once again. Santa and his elves loaded the toys into the sleigh. And with a merry “Ho, Ho, Ho!” they dashed into the starlit sky. Around the world, children slept, dreaming of Santa and the toys he would bring. Not one of them would ever know that this was the Christmas Santa almost missed! Thanks For Visiting