Takeoff Time!

The eight reindeer were standing in a line just inside the reindeer barn. Timbo Elf stood next to the lead reindeer, and listened through the closed doors of the barn. He could hear the sounds of elves scurrying about, shouting excitedly, laughing loudly, giving orders and making suggestions. He could also hear an occasional "WHEEEeeeee!"

That was a sound Timbo didn't much like. It was the sound of an Elf flying off the handle. "Some Elves just can't handle the excitement," Timbo said to Comet, because no one else was around. "They get all worked up about Christmas Eve. They get more and more excited, and the Christmas spirit just sends them flying. That's not a good thing." Then Timbo remembered who he was talking to, and added "I mean, it's not a good thing for an Elf. We're not used to flying. We're not pulling a sleigh, or anything. Flying's just for reindeer, in my opinion. Oh, and birds, too. But not penguins. Penguins don't fly."

Comet looked owlishly at Timbo. No, he didn't. He looked reindeerishly at Timbo. Reindeer aren't owls.

Then there was a knock at the closed door. Timbo heard an Elf shout "We're ready!" from the other side. Timbo straightened up. "Okay, team!" he said. "Let's do some flying!" And with that, Timbo pushed open the doors and stepped outside.

A great cheer of approval went up from the crowd as Timbo led the reindeer to the sleigh. All around him were cheering Elves. Then Timbo would hear someone shout "WHEEEeeeee!" and he would see an Elf spinning off into the sky, a look of excited joy on his or her face.

As he started hooking the reindeer up to the sleigh they got louder

"WHEEEeeeee!" "WHEEEeeeee!" "WHEEEeeeee!"

The sky was filling with pinwheeling Elves, flying off in all different directions, sometimes bouncing off walls, trees, and even each other.

Timbo started to smile. It was just so silly!

"WHEEEeeeee!" "WHEEEeeeee!"

"Ho ho ho! Kind of nice to see isn't it?" Santa was standing right next to Timbo, inspecting the harnesses, but mostly just watching the Elves. "I just love to see how excited they are! It's one of the best parts of Christmas for me." Santa turned to Timbo and smiled. "You've done a great job, as always, Timbo. I've always admired your work. Thanks for everything you do, and Merry Christmas!" And Santa hugged Timbo Elf.

Timbo couldn't stop the smile on his face from getting bigger and bigger. He wanted to thank Santa for believing in him, but all that came out of his mouth was "WHEEEeeeee!" as he flew off into the clouds.

"Ho ho ho! It's the same thing with Timbo every year." he looked at the the bag of toys in the sleigh with him, then he turned to the reindeer and said "Okay, team! Let's make this the best Christmas Eve ever!"

And Santa and the reindeer flew off into the sky, dodging Elves as they did, and proceeded to do just that!

Merry Christmas to all from The North Pole Times!