A Merry Christmas Collection

By Donald Harry Roberts

All new christmas stories you the young, young at heart and folks who have entered their second childhood. Soar into the world of christmas fantasies from the comfort of your reading place.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barrie Island Story Teller
• Release date: Oct 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223976936

Donald Harry Roberts

The characters in Donald's quirky Stories, Novelettes and Novellas are all developed from aspects of himself and his imaginary friends. In real life, this mundane world with tunnel vision reality he has endeavoured to live it out in many ways. He has been a sailor and soldier, a farmer, a hobo, musician, mountaineer, hunter-gatherer, fisherman, author, editor, teacher, and student, Astral Traveler/Windrider, to mention only a fraction of his experiences. "It has been a beautiful life and I hope for more decades to learn and experience a great deal more." In these pages he will share what comes from deep within the chasms of his imagination. He lives now in near isolation on an island, with his wife/musician, Mary and their pack of mostly black dogs. His favourite past time is day dreaming.  

Book preview

Dedicated to Every Human Being Who Is Still a Kid or Still Has A kid Living Inside them and for all those older folk who have entered their second childhood.

1 Of 25

The Elf Who Saved Santa

Jingle Bell was an elf who loved Christmas more than anything. He worked hard all year round to make toys and gifts for the children of the world. He was always cheerful and helpful, and he had a special bond with Santa Claus, who treated him like a son.

One day, a few weeks before Christmas, Santa decided to take his sleigh out for a test run. He wanted to make sure everything was working properly and that the reindeer were in good shape. He asked Jingle Bell to join him as his co-pilot, and Jingle Bell happily agreed.

They flew over the snowy mountains and the green forests, enjoying the view and the fresh air. Santa checked his list and his GPS, while Jingle Bell fed the reindeer some carrots and sang some carols. They were having a wonderful time, until they reached a stormy area.

The wind was strong and the clouds were dark. Santa tried to steer the sleigh away from the storm, but it was too late. A gust of wind hit them hard, and the sleigh spun out of control. The reindeer made a sharp turn to avoid crashing into a tree, but Santa lost his grip on the reins. He fell off the sleigh and disappeared into the clouds.

Jingle Bell screamed in horror as he saw Santa fall. He grabbed the reins and tried to steer the sleigh back to where Santa was, but he couldn’t see anything through the thick fog. He hoped that Santa had landed safely somewhere, but he had no idea where.

He decided to return to Santa’s village and get some help. He turned the sleigh around and headed back, but he soon realized that he was lost. The storm had messed up his GPS, and he couldn’t recognize any landmarks. He was flying blind.

He started to panic, but then he remembered what Santa always told him: Don’t give up hope, Jingle Bell. There’s always a way out of any situation. You just have to use your head and your heart.

Jingle Bell calmed down and thought hard. He knew that one of the reindeer had a special ability that could help him: Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer. Rudolph’s nose could glow in the dark and guide them through any weather.

He called out to Rudolph and asked him to take the lead. Rudolph nodded and moved to the front of the sleigh. His nose lit up like a beacon, and Jingle Bell followed its light.

They flew for a while, until they saw a clearing in the clouds. Jingle Bell looked down and saw a valley covered in snow. He spotted something red in the middle of it: Santa’s suit.

He gasped and pointed it out to Rudolph. They quickly descended towards it, hoping that it was Santa.

They landed near the red spot and ran towards it. It was indeed Santa’s suit, but it was empty. There was no sign of Santa anywhere.

Jingle Bell felt a surge of fear and sadness. He wondered if Santa had been hurt or worse.

He looked around and saw something else: a trail of footprints leading away from the suit. They were large and round, like Santa’s boots.

He felt a glimmer of hope and followed them, with Rudolph by his side.

The footprints led them to a hidden gully, where they found Santa lying on the ground, unconscious. His beard was covered in snow, and his face was pale.

Jingle Bell rushed to him and shook him gently.

Santa! Santa! Wake up! Please wake up!

There was no response.

Jingle Bell checked his pulse and his breathing. They were weak, but still there.

He sighed in relief and hugged him.

Thank goodness you’re alive! Don’t worry, Santa, I’m here to help you.

He looked around for something to warm him up or wake him up, but he found nothing useful.

He decided to use his own body heat to keep him warm. He took off his coat and wrapped it around Santa’s chest. He then cuddled up next to him and rubbed his arms and legs.

He also tried to talk to him and cheer him up.

Come on, Santa, you can do this. You’re the strongest person I know. You’ve been through worse than this. Remember that time you got stuck in a chimney? Or that time you got chased by a polar bear? Or that time you ate some bad cookies? You always managed to get out of those situations with a smile on your face.

He kept talking until he heard a groan from Santa.

J-Jingle Bell? Is that you?

Jingle Bell smiled and kissed his forehead.

Yes, Santa, it’s me! I’m so glad you’re awake!

Santa opened his eyes slowly and looked at him.

Jingle Bell...you saved me...

He tried to sit up, but Jingle Bell stopped him.

Don’t move, Santa. You’re still weak. You need to rest.

Santa nodded and lay back down.

Where are we? What happened?

Jingle Bell explained everything that had happened: how they got caught in a storm, how Santa fell off the sleigh, how he followed Rudolph’s nose, how he found his suit and his footprints, and how he found him in the gully.

Santa listened with amazement and gratitude.

Wow, Jingle Bell, you’re amazing. You did everything right. You’re a true hero.

Jingle Bell blushed and shook his head.

No, Santa, you’re the hero. You’re the one who brings joy and happiness to the world. I’m just your helper.

Santa smiled and hugged him.

You’re more than a helper, Jingle Bell. You’re my friend. And I’m proud of you.

They hugged for a while, until they heard a loud noise.

They looked up and saw the sleigh flying above them. It was being pulled by Rudolph, who had gone back to get it.

He saw them and waved his hoof.

Hey, guys! I found the sleigh! Are you okay?

Jingle Bell waved back.

Yes, Rudolph, we’re okay! Thanks for finding the sleigh!

Rudolph landed near them and helped them get on board.

He then took off again and flew them back to Santa’s village.

Along the way, they saw that the storm had cleared up and the sun was shining.

They also saw a rainbow in the sky.

They smiled and felt a warm feeling in their hearts.

They had survived a terrible ordeal, but they had also learned a valuable lesson:

No matter how dark or stormy it gets, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.

And that light is called hope.

2 Of 25

Grumpella’s Redemption

Grumpella was a witch who lived in a shabby old cottage in the woods. She was mean and nasty to everyone she met, and she hated Christmas more than anything. She would cast spells to ruin the festive mood of the people in the nearby village, such as making their snowmen melt, their lights go out, or their presents disappear.