No Santa? Not Typical at the Pole

On a typical early December day at the North Pole, elves are very busy. They sort out Christmas lists, build toys, and generally get ready for the Big Night, Christmas Eve, when Santa Claus delivers gifts to all the children of the world. This, however, was not a typical early December day at the North Pole. Santa Claus was popped out of the North Pole during a demonstration of the modified Appendapulator, the main toy-making machine of the North Pole.

Right now, Gizmo Elf, the inventor of the Appendapulator, was busy trying to bring Santa back, but he had a big problem to solve first.

"If I don't know where he went, it's very difficult to bring him back," he told the growing group of elves crowding into his workshop. "He could be anywhere--London, Toronto, Walla Walla, or..."

"Cucamonga," said Waldo Elf.

"Yes! Even Cucamonga," said Gizmo. "So before I can even figure out how to bring him back, we'll have to find him."

"He's in Rancho Cucamonga" said Waldo.

For those of you who aren't regular readers of the North Pole Times (how can anyone not be a regular reader of the Official Newspaper of the North Pole?), it should be pointed out that Waldo, while being a hardworking, dedicated, and enthusiastic elf, can sometimes be a bit of a problem. So, he isn't always listened to, which sometimes can be a mistake.

"Well, we should get the Santa Spotters out to help find him," said Bernard Elf, "that would be a start."

"Have them look in Rancho Cucamonga, California," said Waldo, "so they'll be sure to find him."

"Waldo, stop being silly," said Jiller Elf. "What makes you so sure he's in Rancho Cucamonga? Did he tell you?"

"Well, sorta," said Waldo.

"How is it that he told you, when he hasn't told any of us?" asked Bernard.

Waldo shrugged. "I guess it's because I'm the only one who read his email." He pointed at the computer in the corner of the workshop. On it was an email message from Santa, with the heading: "Help! I'm in Rancho Cucamonga!"

How did Santa get to Cucamonga? What's happening there? Keep reading the North Pole Times every day to find out!