| General Fiction posted December 6, 2024 |
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What happened to Rudolph's nose?
Who'll Guide the Sleigh Tonight
by Begin Again
It was a snowy evening at the North Pole, and the air was buzzing with excitement. The workshop, nestled among the snow-covered trees, was a hive of activity. Elves were busy hammering, wrapping, and painting in Santa's workshop, preparing for Christmas Eve.
"Pepe, I could use a hand here," called Orin, his voice echoing through the workshop. "Little Suzie in Bayside has requested a doll house with pink rooms."
Orin scowled, "I'm not a painter." He waved his tiny hammer in the air. "Now, I could use my carpentry skills and add some shutters to your house."
"Great! But I still need to make it pink."
Aurielle, dressed in her rose-colored outfit with bows of every shade of pink in her hair and on her pointed shoes, twirled around and smiled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I love the color pink, Pepe. I can be the interior decorator and make Suzie's house 'Pretty in Pink' if you can finish putting together this train."
"Sounds good to me. Santa would be so proud of our teamwork." Pepe beamed, high-fiving his friends and switching places with Aurielle.
"Speaking of teamwork, where's Jingles? Should he be working on the toys too?" Orin asked.
Aurielle tipped her head and petite nose upward and, in an arrogant voice, said, "Sir Jingles is inside his cottage. He says he's working on a high-priority project. He won't let anyone inside."
"High priority? Do you mean another of his inventions? They all fail. Why does he waste his time?" Pepe shook his head. "Some day, Santa will send him to the Misfits Camp. He's not a team worker like all of us."
They all agreed and set off to work on Suzy's dollhouse and the train, working side by side, laughing and getting things done.
Jingles, a mischievous little elf known for his love of tinkering and trouble, was cursing loudly inside his cottage. His latest gadget, meant to win him the title of Number One Elf, needed extra light to make it perfect. Everything he tried didn't make it bright enough.
As he sat on his stool, tapping his feet on the floor and his fingers on the workbench, he moaned and groaned because nothing seemed to work.
Then, an idea began to form — one that was sure to win him the coveted title. He needed something that glowed! Jumping off the stool, he danced a jig around the room, unable to contain his excitement.
"Of course, it's simple. I need something bright — like Rudolph's nose."
Spotting Rudolph taking a break outside the barn, Jingles hurried over. "Hey, Rudolph! Could you lend me your nose for a moment? I need its glow for my invention!"
Rudolph, shaking the snow from his fur, politely declined. "Sorry, Jingles. My nose's job is to guide Santa's sleigh. I can't risk dimming it."
Jingles frowned. "It's only for a minute," he muttered, but as Rudolph walked away, a sly grin crept across the elf's face. "I asked nice, but now —
When the barn was quiet, and everyone was asleep late that night, Jingles crept in with his toolkit. He carefully unhooked Rudolph's glowing nose and replaced it with a shiny red ornament. Then, chuckling to himself, he slipped back to his workshop.
After connecting Rudolph's nose to his invention, the entire cottage lit up, sparkling bright. The Christmas lights added color, and Rudolph's nose glowed brighter than ever. Jingles was sure that Santa would genuinely love it.
The following day, chaos erupted. Santa, the elves, and the reindeer were in an uproar.
"Rudolph!" Santa exclaimed. "What's happened to your nose? It's —it's not glowing."
Rudolph looked in the mirror, horrified. "Oh no! How will I guide the sleigh tonight?"
The news spread quickly. Without Rudolph's bright nose, Santa declared Christmas canceled. The reindeer hung their heads in disappointment, and the elves began frantically searching for the missing nose.
Meanwhile, in his workshop, Jingles was delighted. Thanks to Rudolph's nose, his gadget glowed brightly. But as the day wore on, the joy of his invention faded. He overheard the other elves talking, and their disappointment filled the air.
"The children won't get their presents," one elf said sadly.
"And it's all because Rudolph can't guide the sleigh," added another.
Jingles's heart sank. He hadn't meant to ruin Christmas — he just wanted his invention to shine. Sighing, he grabbed the glowing gadget and hurried to the barn.
"Rudolph, I'm sorry," Jingles said, handing over the nose. "I didn't think about what would happen."
Rudolph smiled as Jingles re-attached his nose. "Thank you for returning it, Jingles. Maybe you can ask for help next time instead of taking what isn't yours."
As Rudolph's nose lit up, Santa burst into the barn. "Ho Ho Ho!" he cheered. "Christmas is saved!"
Jingles, ashamed, slipped from the barn and hurried to his cottage to pack. He was sure Santa would dismiss him once the theft of Rudolph's nose was discovered. He hadn't thought about ruining Christmas for everyone. He'd only thought of winning the title of Number One Elf.
That night, as Rudolph led the sleigh through the stormy skies, Jingles watched from the workshop, a little sad but proud.
After Santa and the reindeer had delivered all the toys to the good boys and girls, Santa appeared at Jingle's door. His voice boomed, and his jolly belly shook like a bowl of jello. "Jingles, I have something for you."
With his suitcase in hand, Jingles mumbled, "It's my pass to Misfit Land, isn't it? I understand."
"Misfit Land?" Santa looked at Jingles, standing in front of him, sad, his suitcase in hand. "I'm not sending you away, son. I know you didn't mean to ruin Christmas for everyone — and now you understand what it's all about."
Unable to believe what he heard, Jingles lifted his chin and looked at Santa.
Santa handed him a shiny brass lantern. "Use this to light your projects. Remember, a true inventor doesn't need to take from others to make their ideas shine."
Jingles beamed. "Thank you, Santa! I'll never forget this."
And so, with Rudolph's nose glowing bright and Jingles's lantern lighting up the workshop, they saved Christmas—and a little elf learned the true meaning of teamwork and responsibility.
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