Mrs. Claus & Ali Elf's Plan Works!

Le Gre Ce'spoon--the most fashionable restaurant in town--was packed. A line of customers went out the door and down the street. Waiters scurried this way and that, with loads of food on trays to give to hungry patrons, and loads of dirty dishes on other trays from customers who had already eaten.

In the kitchen, Chef Fred danced with delight. "We've never been so busy in the history of--well, ever!" he said. "Who knew that my Strawberry-and-Mustard surprise would be so popular?"

But the thing was--it wasn't. No one was eating the unusual goo--a fact that Mrs. Claus and Ali Elf had been noticing for some time.

"It seems like there are lots of people who don't want to eat the stuff," said Ali. "They just want to see the sort of person who would eat it!"

"The only person who might want it is Waldo--who's right now in Santa's body!" said Mrs. Claus. "And it doesn't look like he's going to come!"

The evening went on and on. Customers came and left, and the big plates full of Strawberry-and-mustard surprise went untouched, and Ali and Mrs. Claus became sadder and sadder.

It was very nearly closing time, and the staff was tired. Even Chef Fred was so tired his dancing was more of a shuffle.

"I guess we better go and think of something else," said Mrs. Claus.

They were walking out of the kitchen, past the yellow-and-red dessert, when Mrs. Claus stopped.

"What is it?" asked Ali.

"Look!" said Mrs. Claus. "The dessert. Someone's been eating it!"

"Oh, yeah, some chubby little bearded guy showed up and asked for a quintuple order," a waitress said.

"When was this?" asked Ali.

"Maybe two minutes ago," said the waitress. "He said don't go too far, cuz he'll probably order seconds."

Ali Elf and Mrs. Claus rushed out into the dining room, and sitting in the middle of the room, with a big spoon and a bigger smile--was Santa!

Can Mrs. Claus and Ali Elf get Santa/Waldo to go back to the North Pole--and back to normal--By Christmas Eve? Keep reading the North Pole Times to find out!