You've probably heard of Santa Claus. Well, of course I have! He's the one who makes sure you behave every year, and as a reward, he'll hide wonderful presents in your cleaned boots.
Have you ever wondered what would happen if Santa Claus lost a present? Guess what, it happened to him once. Do you wonder what happened? I'll tell you.
A long time ago, when people still rode in carriages and carriages, Santa Claus prepared his sleigh with the help of elves and loaded it with his sleigh full of beautiful presents, just like every year.
There would be nothing interesting in this story so far, but Rudolf, the most mischievous reindeer, was still very small. This meant that he was caught by all the shiny, exciting, moving things. And so it was on the day when Santa Claus set off to surprise the happily napping children under the cover of night.
- Comet, Bow, Bow, Star, Dancer, Trotter, Lightning, Thunder, Gorgeous, Carrot and Rudolph, get ready, we're off! - Santa Claus shouted a loud cheer as he mounted his sleigh.
Yes, you heard right, little Rudolph went with them, because he had to learn about the important role of Santa's reindeer.
They had travelled halfway around the world, thanks to the miraculous magic dust, when they came to a slightly shabby hut with a thatched roof. Santa knew that this was the home of Fatty, a little child who, though poor, had a heart far richer in kindness than many grown-up people. That is why he deserved the gift that Santa Claus had brought for him that day.
Santa pulled out his gift list to make sure he hadn't missed any of Karcsika's presents. The little boy didn't ask for much, only a doll made of corn cobs for his sister and nothing for himself. Every year, Santa Claus is touched by Karcsika's selflessness and, of course, he also gave him a present. This year he wanted to surprise her with a beautiful wooden train.
But the train was nowhere to be found. Santa had already searched his bottomless sack when he saw that Rudolph's nose was getting redder. He knew that the reindeer had put the wrong wood on the fire, and it had something to do with the present from Karcsika.
- Rudolf, what do you know about Karcsika's gift? - he asked in an uncompromising yet kind voice.
- "I..." said the little reindeer hesitantly, "I didn't mean any harm, it was just so beautiful, and I wanted to play with it a little.
Rudolf was now very sorry that he had taken Karcsika's present out of the bag. But it was such a beautiful train! What's more, the end was just hanging out of the sack when Santa and the elves loaded it onto the sleigh. The train looked at him as if it were calling him! Yet for some reason, he felt so bad about it.
- You know Rudolf, Karcsika's family is very poor. Without us, she wouldn't get a present. She did her homework all year round, always prepared for her lessons honestly, kept order and even helped her parents wherever she could. Not to mention helping Katika and Pistika when they accidentally broke their mother's favourite vase at home. Together, they glued and put flowers inside to make amends to their friends' mum.
- "I know," Rudolf shone his eyes, "I didn't mean any harm, it's just that the train is so beautiful!
Rudolf then pulled the train out from under the little coat on his back.
- I took great care of it, but I just couldn't put it back.
- Are you sure you just didn't know? It's not that you didn't want to? - Santa asked Rudolph.
- "I would have liked to keep him, but I know now that he will be much better off at Karcsika," Rudolf said, his eyes almost teary.
- "I'm very glad that you confessed so honestly, Rudolf," reassured Santa Claus, "You'll see, it will be to your advantage! Please, don't take anyone's game away from me next time! - Santa stroked Rudolf.
- "I promise," said the reindeer.
Rudolf decided to be Santa's best helper for the rest of the night! Santa noticed this too, as Rudolf was very enthusiastic all night and really went all out.
When they got back to the North Pole, Santa Claus leaned down to Rudolph and said:
- Rudolf, you were a great help today! I want to show you something.
They then headed towards the Toy Factory. When they entered the door, they did not stop, but walked through the factory and came to a staircase leading to a big red door.
- Come with me! Let's go in there! - said Santa Claus.
Rudolf did not know what was hidden in the big red door. When Santa opened it, the little reindeer was breathless. He saw a huge room full of wonderful toys.
- Here are the games we have made so far. We'll keep a piece of each type to recreate or improve next year," Santa pointed to the toys. Give us your suggestions on how to make them even better and more beautiful.
- Happy Birthday, Santa! - Rudolf exclaimed with joy. - I'm already at work!
From that day on, little Rudolf became Santa's most faithful helper. He knew that he had been entrusted with a very important task, because it was about the children's toys. It never occurred to him to take anyone's toy away, because he understood that he was largely responsible for the children's happiness. This responsibility, in turn, was a happy burden on his shoulders, and he is still happy to bear it to this day.
