A Christmas story by The Little White Owl (and Teddy)

One Christmas Eve, Teddy and I were busy building a snowman when we spotted some footprints in the snow.
     “Oh, Teddy,” I cried excitedly, “I wonder who they belong to? Maybe we should go and have a look?”
     I held Teddy’s paw and we followed them round the icy pond, then further and further into the wood, where trees as tall as giants touched the sky.
     Suddenly, I gave a gasp and Teddy hid his eyes.
     “Teddy,” I whispered. “Look! It’s Santa!”
     We hurried over. “Santa!” I cried. “It’s really, really you! I’m The Little White Owl and this is my friend, Teddy.”
     “Hello,” said Santa. His eyes were bright, but he looked a little worried.
     “What’s the matter, Santa?” I asked.
     Santa sat down on a snowy log. “My sleigh is broken,” he sighed. “How will I deliver the presents on time? Oh, dear… what shall I do?”
     “Don’t worry,” I said. “Teddy and I will help you mend your sleigh!”
      So we got straight to work, hammering and sawing. We tried and tried, and tried. But it was no good. The sleigh wouldn’t fly. Then suddenly, I had a great idea…

“Santa!” I cried. “I can fly! And Teddy can be my little helper. We’ll deliver the presents for you!”      “Oh,” smiled Santa, “thank you!”      He gave us his big sack filled with presents and Teddy climbed on my back. Then I flew up into the sky. We were off!      “Good luck!” cried Santa, waving us both goodbye.

     Teddy and I flew around the whole world, as a sparkly moon lit our way. We landed on rooftops iced with snow and slid down tall, sooty chimneys. And we saw trees filled with lights and stars, and silver tinsel.
      “Oh, Teddy!” I gasped. “Aren’t they beautiful! I wish our tree back home had stars like that!”
     When the very last present had been delivered, we flew back home again through a deep, dark sky filled with dancing snowflakes.
     When we landed, Santa was smiling.
     “My sleigh is mended!” he cried. “And because of you, everyone will have their presents on time. Thank you so very, very much!”
     As Santa flew off, Teddy rubbed his eyes and gave a great big yawn. 
     “Come on then, Teddy,” I whispered. “Time for bed!” I took his paw,
flew up to our tree and we settled on our favourite branch. And soon we were dreaming happy dreams of twinkling stars and tinsel…

We woke early Christmas morning to a great surprise. “Oh look, Teddy!” I cried. “Look at this!” There were stars, pretty stars, all over our tree and a big, shiny one on the top.      “Thank you, Santa!” I called to the sky. And Teddy blew a kiss… “Happy Christmas!”   A Christmas story, text copyright © Tracey Corderoy 2010 See details of THE LITTLE WHITE OWL.