Author: Andrew

<name> - Elf For a Day
<name> wasn’t happy. It seemed like everyone in the whole world was having a good time. Everyone else, that is. Nothing was going right in <town> today.
“I can’t find my <toy>. <friend> can’t come over and play. Now I have to stay here with a babysitter.” It was a new babysitter, not even someone familiar.
It was two days before Christmas, too! This time of year was supposed to be special!
“You look like you could use some cheering up,” the babysitter said. “Would you like to play with this snow globe?”
<name> walked closer. The babysitter smiled and handed <name> the snow globe. “Turn it over and watch the snow fall,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “It’s Santa’s Village—Santa’s Secret Village. This is where Santa, his elves, and his reindeer live.”
<name> picked up the snow globe and shook it until it was filled with floating snowflakes. There were little buildings inside and—look, there was a reindeer, and a tiny elf. They looked so real!
Suddenly <name> had the strangest feeling, as though something wonderful was about to happen.
<name> blinked. Snow was falling and voices were laughing. What had happened?
“Welcome to Santa’s Secret Village, <name>,” said a cheerful grownup voice. <name> looked up into the smiling, bearded face of Santa Claus! “You’re our honorary elf for the day! These are my elves,” Santa added, looking around at the little people around them. One elf handed <name> a green jacket and a funny-looking pair of shoes. “Hi, my name is Sid. Just put these on over your clothes. They’re woven with North Pole fleece and they will keep you warm here in Santa’s Secret Village.” <name> quickly pulled on the elf clothes. “There!” said Sid, “You could almost pass for one of us!”
Santa placed a red and green striped elf hat on <name>’s head and said, “I have to go check on my reindeer now, but I’ll see you later. Have fun!”
Sid took <name> to Santa’s Workshop, where elves were assembling and painting all kinds of toys, even special <toy>s.
“I bet all the kids in <town> combined don’t have this many toys!” said <name>.
Burt, the elf in charge of the toy production, showed <name> how to make a toy robot. “Very good!” said Burt, admiring <name>’s work. “You can be my helper any time!”
Next, Sid took <name> to the post room, where Alf was surrounded by mailbags overflowing with letters.
“Hi, <name>, Santa told me you might drop by. I sure could use some help sorting the letters that came today. It’s getting close to Christmas Eve and we don’t want anyone to be disappointed on Christmas morning!”
Soon Sid and <name> were helping Alf open envelopes and sort the mail for Santa to read. <name> looked for letters from <friend> and other kids back in <town> but there were just too many letters to read—and <name> was only <age> anyway!
When they were finished, the three hurried to Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, where the other elves were eating lunch. “Hi, <name>!” they called. “How do you like being an elf?”
“I love it!” replied <name>. What a morning! Wouldn’t <name>’s family be surprised if they could see Mrs. Claus standing here serving lunch and <treat> to <name> and a kitchen full of elves!
After lunch Alf went back to the post room, but Sid and <name> stayed to help make biscuits. Mrs. Claus even let them eat biscuits right out of the oven. Yumm!
Sid led <name> to the Reindeer Barn, explaining that he learned how to groom reindeer at the Elf Academy. “But I can show you how it’s done,” said Sid.
Soon <name> was handling the brush with ease. After brushing each reindeer’s coat, <name> polished their antlers, then fed them carrots. The reindeer quickly grew fond of their new caretaker.
“I see you’ve made friends with my reindeer,” said Santa, walking into the Barn. Santa then spoke in a low voice to the reindeer. <name> wasn’t sure, but it sounded like he was talking in a special reindeer language. The reindeer perked up their ears, and their hooves danced in place, as though any second they would take flight!
“<name>,” Santa said, “you’ve been a great honorary elf today—and you’ve been good all year, too—we want to give you a special treat. Would you like to ride on one of our reindeer?”
“Oh, yes!” cried <name>, jumping up and down in excitement. Santa sat <name> on top of the little reindeer called <friend> and gave the reindeer his instructions. <friend> pranced around, then leapt into the air, taking <name> for an exciting ride over the village.
“That was more fun than <activity>,” sighed <name>. “Oh, Santa, thank you so much for bringing me here!”
“We’ve enjoyed having you here today,” said Santa. “Come back and be an ‘elf’ with us again! Now I have to go check my list, and it’s almost time for you to go home. But first, Sid, take <name> to the Elf house and play for a while.”
<name> was getting tired, and it was time for supper back in <town>. How would <name> get home?
At the Elf house the elves showed <name> their toys and books and they all played <activity>. <name> spotted a snow globe on the table and picked it up. “How strange,” thought <name>. “That tiny town inside looks like <town>.”
“Wake up, it’s time for supper.” <name> blinked and looked around. This wasn’t Santa’s Secret Village. What happened?
“You’re back home in <town>” said the babysitter. “Your family is back, too, even your best friend <friend> and it’s time for me to go. I hope you have a Merry Christmas. Here, these are for you.” She held out a special <toy> and the snow globe. “Santa wants you to have them — so you can visit again.”
So it wasn’t a dream! <name> was so happy! What a wonderful day it had been. This was going to be the best Christmas in <town> ever!
THE END!

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