Photography by John Stephens
Xiph now sat very still at the bottom of the sack. He had stopped shouting long ago. The moment he'd felt the sleigh lurch and begin its journey, he knew all was lost. The pounding of his heart seemed to echo throughout the sackful of presents. He was so afraid. If there was one thing every elf knew it was that no one but Santa was allowed on the Christmas voyage. That was the rule. The number one rule. Tears welled up, then began to roll down his cheeks. It was going to be a very long, very cold night. He burrowed down deeper into the sack, snuggling up to a soft, fluffy puppy, terrified by the thought of his eventual discovery.
After many hours and many stops, the little elf realized that he soon would be found. The great hand had reached into this sack already many times that night, rummaging about for just the right gift to give. There were only a few toys left. His beautiful train was long gone. The rag doll beside him might be next. Looking at her more closely, Xiph recognized her as one his friend had made. Gently he brushed back her soft brown hair. Then, to his horror, he noticed a rip in the cloth of her left cheek! How could that have happened? Some sharp toy must have accidentally torn the soft silk. Such a beautiful doll, ruined!
The elf grew flushed. He felt terrible. The knot in his stomach tightened. Perhaps it was his train that had caused this accident? Of course there was no way to know for sure, but supposing it had? Now, not only had he been late delivering his gift to the sleigh, not only had he stowed away, he had also destroyed a child's gift with his carelessness! Xiph buried his head in his hands. He felt so ashamed.
Sadly, Xiph fingered the gift tag on the doll's arm. Some little child would be so disappointed. All he'd ever wanted to do was make toys for children. Toys to make them laugh and smile, wonderful toys to play with, to hug, to love. Again the sack was jerked open and the hand reached in. The elf knew it was searching for the doll. Shoving her aside, Xiph grabbed the gift tag and slipping it around his neck, threw himself into Santa's grasp.
The next few minutes flashed like fireworks. In the black sky burned a million candles. Below, the white snow sparkled and glittered in the starlight. And then, finally, lying beneath the majestic tree, soft light flashing in every color, Xiph slowly let himself go limp and soft like a rag doll. After all, he'd broken so many of the elf kingdom's rules that night, what was one more?
Christmas magic decrees that any elf seen by a human will instantly turn to cloth. A wave of sadness swept over Xiph, but then, as he felt the warmth of Santa's smile and saw the glint in his eye, he felt content. For he knew that in a few hours, he would once again become alive, when a child's hug and smile would warm his heart.
For another great holiday tale to read aloud pick up a copy of the January 2005 issue of Canadian Living Magazine and look for The Name of the Game under Family Life.
