Santa's Newest Reindeer (21 page)

“It seems like such a long time since we saw them. I just

want to hold them again,” lamented Peg.

“I know,” muttered Bill, struggling to keep his tears at bay.

“Bil , let’s start the celebration right now by singing Christ-

mas songs. Get us in the mood with your favorite Christmas

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song, and we’ll join in,” Gramps raised his hands like he was

about to conduct the choir.

Bill began singing his favorite Christmas song. Gramps

whistled out of tune while Peg and Grams hummed along. It

wasn’t the most melodious tune, but it was good enough for

them. It was the first time in a long spell that laughter had

filled the Taylor house.

Was Christmas really coming back to Holly Valley?

Were Ellie and Will truly on their way home?

Had they really received a call from Santa’s Village?

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Sounds of construction echoed throughout Santa’s workshop as

elves scurried to complete their tasks within the allotted time.

It was crunch time with not a second to lose. Their shrill voices competed with the saws, hammers, and welders—the louder

the banging, the louder their singing. It was nearly impossible

to see the hands on the big clock on the far wall as smoke and

sawdust filled the air, blocking a clear view.

Art stood on top of the command center desk barking orders

to the various head elves who, in turn, were pushing their teams

of elves to work faster. He kept looking at the clock, surveying

the progress of the projects.

“Trim the left rear hind legs a bit so they are equal. Deepen

the side grooves so the shoulders fit flush. Be sure the antlers are the same thickness on both sides. Remeasure the door’s hinges

so they fit airtight. Can’t let any cold air in there. Double-bead the welding underneath the brisket so it can support all the

head and antler weight. Widen the girth more,” growled Art,

hopping from table to table and pointing out what needed to

be fixed.

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Miniature rafter cranes began lifting the gigantic metal

skeleton. Motors whined and wooden support beams bowed

hoisting the massive structure. The cables groaned, stretching

until one of the elves gave a thumbs-up sign indicating the iron

carcass was off the floor. Ensuring that its speed and direction

were controlled, the elves guided the gigantic metal frame by

pulling on tethers strategically anchored to its towering form.

The twins held their breath as they watched the skillful

workers manipulate the tethered behemoth toward its docking

plates at the assembly arena specially constructed for this project.

“This is simply amazing,” gushed Ellie, pointing upward at

the height of the structure. She leaned back and covered her

eyes from the bright shop lights threatening to blind her.

“You would have to see this to believe this. Even Mr. Burns

would be blown away by this massive undertaking. Now I know

how the elves are able to make toys for boys and girls around

the world. They each have their specific job to do, and when

they are not worried about who gets the credit for making the

toy, it all comes together faster,” chipped in Will.

“And get them into Santa’s sleigh in time for his world trip

on Christmas Eve,” added Ellie.

“AND do it year in and year out!”

“Nothing to it,” boasted Art, as the final locking pin was

inserted in the base securing the metal form to the floor.

The elves cheered, signifying a job well done. Some of them

engaged in various forms of dancing. Ellie and Will joined in

and hugged a surprised head elf in charge of the project. Art

was not used to getting hugs and kisses. The redness rose up

his neck and all the way to his stocking cap. He looked away,

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fearing detection by any of his fellow elves. But it was too late.

Several pointed at him and covered their mouths. He grunted

at them.

“Now you’ll begin to understand and see that we work hard

and we play hard,” mused Mayor Noel, suggesting he had played

a big role in the project.

“We have much to do and so little time,” cautioned Art,

quickly recovering from his embarrassment, although his neck

still showed red blotches. He explained the next step, pointing

to the blueprints that detailed the steps in construction.

The
rap, rap, rap
of hammers and the
zing, zing, zing
of saws once again filled the arena as elves climbed like busy bees

all over the metal monster. Rafter cranes lifted the huge rank

of antler-like forms to the top of the metal creation. Sparks

emanated from the points of bright lights while the army of

elves attached the crown to the top of the most forward lead-

ing point. Another crane swung pieces of sheet metal that had

been cut in the form of a very large animal’s head. Worker elves

welded the pieces together into a strange mosaic. Simultane-

ously, other elves were directing crane operators to position

pieces of metal on the top, sides, and bottom of a round shaft

that connected the head to a lower section. Once welded, the

pieces formed the thick, rugged neckline. A metal blanket was

placed on the top of its neck, forming its majestic cape. Two

large, concave pieces were lowered and welded together on its

sides. Deep-green glass globules filled its eye sockets, and two

erect and pointed ears were set and welded between its antlers.

Flames seemed to spew from its nostrils. It was beginning to

come alive! A small slit on the end of its chin formed its mouth.

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Many elves, secured by drop lines, crawled on top and inside,

securing the side coverings to the rotund metal girth. For the

first time, the twins recognized the outline of the figure, but

they were puzzled by how it was to be used.

“Keep the faith, and it will all become clear to you,” mused

the mayor, strutting around the mountainous creature.

Metal straps were tightly wound and secured by spot welds

to the four posts. Several elves affixed polished metal hoof-like shoes to the bottom of each post and scoured them until they

turned black. A short, thick, bushy tail was placed and welded

in the correct anatomical position. A secret sliding trapdoor

was attached to its underbelly. It was so finely crafted and cam-

ouflaged that it could not be detected by anyone who walked

under its brisket.

“Final phase is underway. Faster!” barked the head elf.

Elves armed with paintbrushes, finishing pieces, and pol-

ishers went about their assignments without hesitation. They

buffed, painted, polished, and sealed the multiple coats of metal cleaner. Decorator elves applied streaks that gave the critter its definition and stateliness. A final crew spray-painted the giant

with a glossy, snow-white sheen. The last elf sealed the entire

structure with a clear coat of paint sealer.

“Santa is coming! Santa is coming!” cried the elves as a path

opened for his arrival.

“What do you think?” asked Art, looking for approval from

the white-bearded one. A hush came over all as they awaited

Santa’s words. Santa strolled around the huge contraption. He

stopped and rubbed the giant’s leg. Moving on, he checked the

tightness of the holding straps. Santa returned to the front of

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the tall structure. The elves waited in anticipation of Santa’s

approval. Ellie and Will held their breath.

“Ho! Ho! Ho! Well done. I think you have outdone yourselves

on this one,” boomed the jolly man dressed all in crimson, as the minions danced and sang aloud. The twins had not seen Santa

since the party at his and Mrs. Claus’s gingerbread house. He

appeared to have recovered from his overexertion.

“What do you think is the name of this
big reindeer
?” questioned Santa, looking directly at the twins.

All eyes were on Ellie and Will. The elves waited for the

twins’ response. Ellie and Will shrugged their shoulders and

stared at the elves.

“He is awfully big, and I just love him,” commented Ellie.

“He is the biggest stag I have ever seen, and that’s for sure,”

seconded Will.

“Ho! Ho! Ho! Well, you have just about got it,” laughed

Santa. “What is another name for a stag that is a male rein-

deer?” hinted Santa, as he put his index finger over his mouth

to tell the elves not to give them the answer. The elves had all

they could do not to blurt out the answer.

“Buck! Another name for a male reindeer is buck,” hollered

Will as his face turned red from blurting out the answer. He

had been cautioned about answering out loud in class before

his teacher could call on student who had their arm raised. Yet

no one seemed to be offended.

“Correct. So what is his name?” asked Santa, putting his

hands on his hips.

“Big Buck! Big Buck!” screamed the twins at the same time.

“So it is,” announced Santa.

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Ellie, Will, Santa, and all the elves joined hands, encircling

Big Buck. They danced to the left and then to the right. They

squatted and jumped up. It reminded the twins of the play-

ground dance they did during recess, only this time it was Big

Buck in the center and not one of their teachers. Two elves

lifted Ellie and Will up on the base platform and began dancing

with them. They spun them around, and then two more elves

replaced the first two. The twins, out of breath, dropped to their knees and begged for a rest. The coronation of Big Buck had

come to an end. Now the real challenge was about to begin.

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“Everyone in Holly Valley has been notified. Most of them

were very thankful that something is being done, and they wil

be at Citizen’s Square on Christmas Day at six a.m.,” reported

Grams, lifting the spirits of the others.

“Have you heard any more from the twins?” inquired Gramps,

positioning himself into his comfortable lounger.

“Nothing new. But we only have one day left until Christmas

Eve, and before we know it, it will be Christmas Day,” noted

Bill, looking at his wristwatch.

“I can hardly wait to see the kids. Not only do I trust that

Santa will bring our children home, but I have a renewed belief

in Santa Claus,” avowed Peg, reaching into the Christmas orna-

ment box and waving a red Santa Claus stocking cap with furry,

white trim and a white ball at its tip. Before Bill could react,

she placed it on his head and pulled it down over his eyes. The

four laughed at Bill, who carried on like he was trying to pin

the tail on the donkey.

“Over here,” taunted Gramps, moving out of Bill’s grasp.

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“No! Over here,” teased Grams, trying to push Peg into

Bill’s arms.

“The blind Santa! The blind Santa!” They chanted to the

tune of “Three Blind Mice.” Bill removed the cap and lunged

at Peg, giving her an extended kiss. Gramps pretended to be