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Classic Tales to Read, Love and Share Super Stocki

Storytime
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CHRISTMAS
STORY
SPECIAL!

Santa Claus
Twelve Days of Christmas, The Snow Child,
The Greedy Fox, The Queen of Winter & MORE!
“Everywhere she went, she was followed by the wild animals who loved her.”
Famous Fables

The Greedy Fox

I t was a cold harsh winter and the animals of the forest were hungry
– especially Fox, who hadn’t eaten a scrap of food for days.

“It’s okay for Bear,” shivered Fox, feeling sorry for himself. “She gets to curl up
for the winter in her cosy cave with a full belly, dreaming of warmer days.”

“And Squirrel can’t complain!” he moaned. “He’s been burying his secret fruit
and nut supplies all over the place for months. But a fox? A fox like me has to
hunt for food whatever the weather!”

Fox shook the freshly fallen snow from his coat and slumped to the ground.
His tummy ached with hunger, but he felt so tired and weak, he soon fell asleep.
He was woken later that morning by the loud
crunch, crunch of someone walking on snow.
He opened his eyes to see a woodcutter pushing
a large package into the hollow of a nearby tree.
The woodcutter, who was bundled up in thick,
warm clothes, seemed very pleased with his hiding
place. He whistled happily to himself and went on
his way – he didn’t see Fox lying close by, covered
in a thick layer of snow.

Fox sniffed the air, hopefully. “I must be dreaming!”

he thought. “Is that chicken I can smell? Is hunger
making me imagine things?”

But an icy breeze wafted towards Fox and there

it was again – the unmistakable aroma of roast
chicken, coming from the tree hollow. It was
impossible to resist.

7
 Story Tip
Use this story as a starting
point for talking about what
animals do in winter. What
do they eat? Which animals
hibernate and where do they
store their food? Choose
one hibernating animal
and learn all about it.

Fox used all his energy to walk over to There was enough food to feed a fox
the tree and, inside its thin hollow, he for many days. There were two roast
spied the package. One sniff told him chickens, a side of baked ham, a loaf
that this was no dream – it really was of bread and several rolls, huge hunks
filled with delicious food. of cheese and three big rosy apples.

“How can I get to it?” thought Fox Fox couldn’t believe his good fortune
desperately. “I’ll never fit inside such and, within minutes, he had gobbled
a long, thin space.” up a whole chicken. It was delicious
– the best thing he had ever tasted!
But Fox was so terribly hungry, he
However, as he hadn’t eaten for so
knew he had to try. He pushed his
long, his tummy quickly felt full.
head and shoulders as far into the
hollow as he could, then tried to “But I can’t leave all this food here,”
squeeze in his body. Much to his thought Fox. “What if another animal
surprise, he had become so thin, finds it? Or what if the woodcutter
he could fit inside quite easily. takes it away again? What if I don’t
find any more food this winter?”
Once inside the hollow, he quickly
tore open the woodcutter’s bag and So, despite his bulging belly, Fox
his eyes lit up at the feast before him. carried on eating. He ate the second

8
chicken, the baked ham, the loaf of he couldn’t get out at all. Try as he
bread, the hunks of cheese and all might, he was trapped inside the tree!
three apples. By the time he had
Luckily for him, while he had been
finished, Fox had more than satisfied
scoffing all the food, the snow had
his hunger and his tummy felt quite
fallen so heavily that the woodcutter
fit to burst.
couldn’t find his way back to the tree.
“I should get out of here,” he sighed.
Greedy Fox was forced to stay in the
“I don’t want to get caught by that
hollow for many days until he was
woodcutter with his axe.”
thin enough to squeeze his way out
So Fox heaved himself up and tried again. As he leapt onto the snowy
to squeeze out of the hollow. But, this forest floor, he promised himself that
time, he wasn’t quite so thin. In fact, he would never be so foolish and
his tummy was now so big and round, greedy again.

Spot It!
Can you spot a stash
of Squirrel’s nuts hidden
in our story pictures?
9
Around the World Tales

The Snow Child

O n the edge of a forest in Russia, lived a couple called Sergei and
Maria. Though they had lived long and healthy lives, they had
never felt truly happy, because they had always longed for a child.

They loved to watch the local

children play, but it wasn’t quite
the same as having a child of
their very own.

One winter, the snow fell deep

in the forest – deeper than ever
before. When it finally stopped,
the village children squealed
with delight as they jumped into
snowdrifts and threw snowballs
at each other. Sergei and Maria
watched them fondly.

When the children started to

build snowmen, Sergei laughed
and said, “Let’s join them! Let’s
make our own snowman!”

“Why not?” chuckled Maria.

They wrapped themselves up
warmly and went out into the
sparkling snow.

As they started to build, Maria

said, “Anyone can make a
snowman. Let’s make our own
little snow child instead!”
10
And so the two set to work building melted away from its face and there,
and shaping the body, giving it two before them, was a little girl with eyes
little arms and two little legs. Next, as blue as forget-me-nots, lips as red
they started on the head. The village as cherries, a tangle of blonde ringlets
children soon gathered round. and snow-white skin.

“What are you making?” they asked. “Am I dreaming?” said Sergei, rubbing
his eyes, but Maria didn’t hear him –
“A snow child!” laughed the couple.
she had already run towards the little
They gave their snow child curly hair, girl and had thrown her arms around
a sweet little nose, cute dimpled her. The girl hugged Maria tightly.
cheeks and two blue beads for eyes.
“It’s a miracle!” cried Maria. “Our wish
Finally, Sergei carved out the mouth.
has been granted at last! Come, little
Snegurochka,” as she named the
snow child, “we must get you warm.”
The couple stepped back to admire
their work and, just as they did so, And Maria led the little girl into their
the snow child let out a warm breath cottage, leaving Sergei and the rest
and smiled. The icy snow magically of the village children lost for words.

11
 Little Snegurochka was indeed a flowers began to blossom. Birds sang
miracle and every day Sergei and cheerfully and all felt bright and gay
Maria’s cottage was filled with visitors, – all except for Snegurochka, who
eager to meet the famous snow child. grew sadder with each passing day.
Snegurochka quickly made friends
As it grew warmer outside, the snow
with the village children and they
child stopped going out to play and,
played together all winter, filling the
instead, spent her days curled up in
village with the sound of joy and
dark corners of the cottage or in the
laughter. Sergei and Maria had
shadow of a tree. But when the sun
never been happier.
went down, Snegurochka returned
to her joyful, playful self.

At last, winter drew to a close and the

snow melted away. The spring sun
warmed the earth and, soon, the first

12
 Sergei and Maria started to worry for They built dens and played hide and
their little girl, so when the village seek, and when the sun sank in the
children invited Snegurochka to a sky, some of the older children made
forest picnic, they thought it was a a fire and they gathered around it to
good idea – the trees would protect sing merry songs and tell stories. As
her from the sun she so disliked and the fire started to dwindle, the children
she would be sure to have some fun. began to play a new game. They all
arranged themselves in a long line
Snegurochka wanted to stay at home,
and, one after another, jumped over
but the couple urged her to go. “It will
the glowing embers and made a wish.
do you some good to play with your
friends, dear!” they smiled. “Just do as we do, Snegurochka!” they
explained.
Before she left, Maria said to the
children, “Please take care of our But when it came to Snegurochka’s
little Snegurochka!” turn, the children heard a loud sigh
and when they turned round to see
And, as they skipped into the trees,
her jump over the fire, she had gone.
the village children called, “Don’t
worry, Maria, we will!” “Where can she be?” they wondered.

Snegurochka did have fun that day.

With her playmates, she made pretty
crowns from wild flowers, and
fairy wands from twigs.

Write It!
What’s your favourite
season? Write down as
many words as you can
to describe your favourite
time of the year and talk
about why you like it.
 “She must be hiding from us!” said In the ashes, Sergei saw something
one of the girls, and the children ran twinkling in the light and, when he
into the trees to look for Snegurochka, looked closely, he found a solid
but they couldn’t find her anywhere. silver snowflake, no bigger than
a charm you’d find on a necklace.
“Perhaps she went home?” said a
boy, so they set off for her cottage. All at once, he and Maria guessed
But when they found that she wasn’t what had happened – their precious
there and told Sergei and Maria what little girl of snow had leapt over the
had happened, everyone’s happiness flames of the fire and its heat had
soon turned to sadness and worry. melted her away. The silver snowflake
was all that remained of her.
For many days after that, Sergei and
Maria and all the adults in the village For the rest of her days, Maria wore
hunted high and low for Snegurochka, the silver snowflake around her neck
but she was nowhere to be seen. so that she could always remember
the magical winter they had enjoyed
At last, the couple found themselves
with their beloved little Snegurochka
back at the spot where the children
– the snow child.
had made their bonfire.

Did You Know?

Today, Snegurochka – the Snow Maiden
– is an important part of Russia’s New
Year celebrations. She wears a pearly
snowflake crown and travels with old
Father Frost in his horse-drawn sleigh
to deliver presents to little children.
15
Poems and Rhymes

Twelve Days of
Christmas
O n the first day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

O n the second day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.

O n the third day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.

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O n the fourth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and O n the fifth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree. Five gold rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.

O n the sixth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four calling birds,

O n the seventh day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
Seven swans a-swimming, A partridge in a pear tree.
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.
O n the eighth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
O n the ninth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree. Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.

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O n the tenth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four calling birds,
O n the eleventh day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Three French hens, Eleven pipers piping,
Two turtle doves, and Ten lords a-leaping,
A partridge in a pear tree. Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.

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O n the twelfth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.

20
 Favourite Fairy Tales

The Little Fir Tree

I n the heart of the
forest, there stood
a young fir tree. It
grew in a fine spot with
plenty of fresh air and
sunlight, but it was
surrounded by trees
that were far taller and
stronger than itself.

The little fir tree would look

up at the other trees and
wish that it was big and
strong too. In its first winter,
a hare hopped right over
the little fir tree. It shook its
branches with irritation and
was so cross that it barely
noticed the beauty of the
snowy forest around it.

21
 “We know!
We know!”
said two
fat robins
“Where are they going? Will they
get to see the world?” wondered
the little fir tree.

When spring came, it didn’t notice “We know! We know!” said two fat
the children who had their picnics by robins. “We flew into town and we
its side; the baby birds that played peeped through the windows. Such
among its branches; or the sunbeams splendour awaits them! They will be
that danced among its needles. All planted in pots in warm rooms, and
the little fir tree could think was, “I decorated with gingerbread, and
wish I would grow up quickly. I wish colourful toys and candles!”
I could see what the world is like.”
Every twig of the fir tree trembled at
One year passed and then another, the thought of it. “Oh, how I wish I
and though the little fir tree grew, it could live in someone’s room and
was never quite fast enough. “Why be decorated with beautiful things!”
can’t I grow more quickly?” it sighed.
“Oh, little fir tree,” sparkled the
sunbeams. “Rejoice in your youth!”

One snowy winter, some woodcutters “Oh, little fir tree,” sang the birds.
came by and chopped down some of “Stay and enjoy the green forest!”
the taller, more handsome trees in the
“Oh, little fir tree,” whispered the wind.
green forest.
“Let me play in your branches.”

22
But the little fir tree didn’t listen and The fir tree shivered with excitement
every day it longed to be somewhere as it was placed in the pot. “What will
else – somewhere more exciting. happen next?” it wondered.

Several servants came into the room

and sighed at the sight of the lovely fir
Over the next year, it grew into a tall,
tree. They started to hang colourful
strong tree. Everyone who passed by
decorations all over its branches –
said how beautiful it was. When the
there were small net bags filled with
woodcutters returned in winter, it was
sweets, golden apples and clusters
the first tree to be cut down.
of walnuts, miniature dolls, wooden
“At last!” thought the fir tree. It was toys, baubles in every colour of the
placed in a horse-drawn cart and rainbow, and hundreds of tiny candles,
carried to a large house. Two servants stuck to the branches with melted wax.
lifted the fir tree into the house and Finally, at the very top of the tree, they
set it down in a grand drawing room. placed a shimmering gold star.

The room was filled with fine paintings,

furniture and ornate vases. There
were velvet curtains and silken
sofas, and a beautiful window,
where a pot stood waiting
for the tree.

23
 “ H ig
w

ton
o
t
ht he t
!” s ree
Hidden aid wi
Treasures the ll sh
Can you find these three Christmas ser ine
decorations on the Little Fir Tree?
Tick the boxes when you find them. van
ts .
“Oh, if only tonight would come!” The tree’s branches quivered with
thought the impatient fir tree. “And uncertainty. “What will they do to
then what? Will I stay here forever, me now? Will I stay here?” it worried.
dressed like this?” It longed so badly
Soon the family were singing carols
for the evening to come quickly.
around the tree, and the little ones
Later that night, a servant came to danced around it, ruffling its branches
light every candle, so that the fir tree as they went. Later, a maid came to
looked dazzlingly beautiful. A family snuff out the candles and the children
dressed in fine clothing came into began plundering the fir tree for its
the room, and the children gasped hidden toys and treats. Nobody paid
with delight to see the splendour any attention to the tree now – they
of the fir tree. were too busy playing with their gifts.

26
At last, the children tugged on the When the stories were over, the fir
sleeve of one of the older men. tree was left alone in the room and
“Daddy, tell us a story!” they begged. it thought, “I will try not to tremble
He smiled and sat down next to the or worry tomorrow. I will be still and
tree, where he told them the story of straight, so I can enjoy it more and
Humpty Dumpty, who fell off a wall, the children can admire me better.”
but married a princess and became
a king. It was a wonderful story – the
first the tree had ever heard. However, when the morning came,
none of the children returned. Instead,
“Maybe that will happen to me,” the
two servants dug the fir tree out of its
tree thought. “One day, I might fall
pot, and carried it up to a dark, dusty
over and marry a princess too.
corner of the attic.
Perhaps I will become a king?”
The fir tree lay alone in the darkness
for many hours, wondering what might
happen next in its adventures.
 “It might be nice and warm here in
the branches of this old tree,” said
one mouse to the other.

“I’m not an old tree!” said the fir tree.

“There are many trees older than me
in the forest!”

“Oh, do tell us where you came from!”

said the mice, excited to have some
company. “Have you seen the world?
We have only ever seen inside the
food cupboard.”

So the fir tree told them of the world it

had seen – the beautiful green forest
with the singing birds, the shimmering
“It’s winter outside now,” thought the
snow in winter, the colourful flowers
tree. “Perhaps that is why I am here
in summer. It told them of the hare that
– the ground is too cold and hard to
used to hop over it, and the sunbeams
plant me again. They must be waiting
and the wind that played amongst its
for spring to come round again!”
branches. It told them of its journey to
And so the fir tree lay patiently in the the house and how its branches had
dark, dusty attic for many long days been so beautifully decorated. It told
and nights, and it often thought, “How them of the singing, dancing children
nice it would be to feel the sunbeams and the story of Humpty Dumpty.
or the breeze on my branches right
“How lucky you have been!” gasped
now. How I miss the hare that used
the mice. “How happy you must have
to hop over me, and the beauty of
been!” they squeaked.
the forest I grew up in!”
And, all of a sudden, the fir tree felt
One night, two little mice appeared
quite foolish for not realising it at the
at the fir tree’s side, squeaking and
time. “Yes, and how silly I have been,”
rustling among its branches.
said the tree quietly, and it sat in the
dark, wishing for its old life again.
28
One fine day at the end of winter, two servants came into the attic and carried
the fir tree out into the bright daylight. They left it in a wild corner of the garden,
next to the weeds and the grass cuttings, but the fir tree didn’t mind at all – the
sun shone brightly and, once more, the sunbeams danced on its yellowing
branches. The cool breeze ruffled what was left of its needles and a fat robin
landed on a branch, near to its only remaining Christmas decoration – the golden
star at the top. As the tree looked around at the spring blossoms and the blue
sky, it suddenly realised how very lucky its life had been.

Imagine It!
Imagine you’re a Christmas
tree. What does it feel like to be
decorated? How does it feel to be
lit up with fairy lights? Can you
write a story about Christmas Day
from the perspective of a tree?
Myths and Legends

The Queen
of Winter
L ong ago, when the world was young, Scotland was
ruled over by a powerful goddess called Cailleach,
who sat on a throne at the top of Ben Nevis.

Cailleach roamed the glens and bens of Scotland, guarding the wolves, deer
and cattle from hunters. Everywhere she went, she was followed by the wild
animals who loved her. She wore an old grey shawl and always carried her magic
hammer. With these two things, she reigned supreme as the Queen of Winter.

Every year in late autumn, she washed her shawl in the sea and placed it on top
of the mountains to dry. When she lifted it, the peaks were covered with snow.
Then, using the hills as stepping stones, she travelled across the land, pounding
it with her magic hammer to spread frost and ice in all directions.
As winter wore on, with each passing Cailleach had always been jealous
day, Cailleach grew older. Her brow of Bride’s youth and beauty – so she
became wrinkled and her hair turned always gave her the most horrible
white and trailed behind her. At the chores to do. One day, she sent Bride
end of every winter, she travelled to down to the icy river and told her to
sip from the secret Well of Youth, then wash a brown woollen blanket until it
she slept through spring and summer. was pure white. It was an impossible
task and, after scrubbing for many
However, one year, Cailleach decided
hours, Bride’s hands were so blue
that she wanted winter to last forever.
with cold, she broke down and wept.
She covered Scotland with a heavy
blanket of snow, stirred up biting gales But as her tears fell to the icy ground,
and froze the rivers and lochs solid. snowdrops suddenly pushed their tiny,
Soon everyone wished for spring. delicate heads through the snow and,
when she stood up to make her way
back to Cailleach, primroses sprang
Cailleach had many servants and one up at her feet. You see, the Queen of
of them was a fair young lady called Winter didn’t know that many years
Bride. Bride had golden brown hair before, the fairies had blessed young
and eyes the colour of violets. Bride with the spirit of spring.

In legends of old,
the goddess Cailleach
carved out Scotland’s
mountains using her magic
hammer and filled the lochs
from her well. Some stories
say that she turns into a
giant boulder every
summer.

31
Bride’s path passed by a mountain frosty reign must be coming to an end
where Cailleach’s son, blue-eyed – and that she and Angus were meant
Angus, lived. When Angus saw Bride to rule over spring together.
and the flowers springing up around
her every step, he was so moved,
he fell in love with her. When Cailleach saw the snow melting,
she was filled with fury. Though she
Angus rushed out to speak to Bride
felt worn and frail, she smashed her
and, as he did so, grass grew around
magic hammer to the ground, so that
their feet and a bird broke the wintry
no flower could bloom and no blade
silence with its sweet song. The magic
of grass could survive. She caused
of spring was happening all around
a violent snowstorm to whip around
them. Bride’s heart was filled with joy,
Bride and Angus, which tore the new
because she knew that Cailleach’s
flowers from their stalks.

Say It!
The Queen of Winter’s name,
Cailleach, means ‘veiled one’.
It is pronounced in lots of
different ways, but the easiest
way to say it is Cal-e-ak.

32
However, the strength of their love soon weakened Cailleach’s powers – spring
was surging through the land and there was nothing the Queen of Winter could
do to fight it. She had run out of strength.

Realising her reign was over, Cailleach fled to the Well of Youth, where she took
a sip from its magic waters and became young and beautiful again. There, she
fell into a deep slumber that lasted until the following winter.

Meanwhile, Bride dipped her hand into the river and the ice melted away. The
fish jumped in celebration, the birds burst into song and, together, she and Angus
walked the land, bringing it back to life. The Queen and King of Spring had
chased the Queen of Winter away… for now.

19
Storyteller’s Corner

Golden Stars
L ong ago and not so far away from where you live,
there was once a poor girl whose mother and father
died suddenly one night.

There was no one to look after her and all she had left were the
clothes she was wearing and a loaf of bread. Sad
and all alone in the world, the girl decided to set
off for a walk in the hope that she might find
someone kind to look after her.

Draw It!
Design your own cosy
hat, scarf and mitten
set to snuggle up in
this winter. What colour
is it? Does it have a
pattern?

34
After a while, she met an old beggar, “You poor thing,” smiled the girl. “Here,
who was hunched by the side of the you can have my hat.” And she gave
road. “Please can you spare some her own woolly hat to the child.
food for a hungry old man, miss?”
The little boy beamed with happiness
The girl felt so sorry for the frail old and ran off to play with his friends.
man that she gave him her loaf of
The girl walked on and soon came to
bread, without even taking a crumb
a little girl, who was wailing.
for herself. “There you go, sir,” she
said. “May it ease your hunger.” “What is wrong?” asked the girl.

She went on her way and soon met a “I caught my scarf on the fence
little boy who was sitting on the edge at the park and it has fallen
of the path, weeping. apart. My mother knitted it for
me and will be very cross.”
“What has happened to you?” asked
the girl.

“One of the older children stole my

woolly hat and my ears are so
cold, they’re aching.”

35
“There, there,” said the girl in a comforting voice. “Here, you can have my scarf.
My mother knitted mine too, and it looks just like yours.” And she wrapped the
scarf around the little girl’s neck. The girl gave her a shy smile and ran home.

Now the sun was starting to set and the air was turning frosty. The girl walked
on to the edge of the town, where she saw a lady, dressed
in rags. She was holding a baby in her arms and sobbing.

“Can I help you, madam?” asked the girl.

“I don’t think so, my dear,” wept the lady. “I’m crying

because winter is upon us and I can’t afford to buy
wool to knit a blanket for my baby.”

“You can have this,” said the girl. And she took off her
coat and draped it over the baby to keep it warm. The
baby chuckled and the lady smiled, but the girl didn’t
stop – she just carried on walking into the woods.

As she walked along the snowy

woodland path, she spotted
a young deer in the trees.
It had caught its leg on
some sharp thorns and
couldn’t escape. Slowly,
the girl made her way
over to the deer so that
she didn’t give it a fright.

“Poor little thing,” she said,

and she began to gently
untangle the thorns that
were wrapped so tightly
around the deer’s leg.

36
It took so long that, by the time she had finished, it was dark. In the light of the
moon, she could see that the deer was badly injured.

Without giving it a thought, the girl ripped at her own dress, tearing it into strips
to make bandages for the deer. She wrapped the strips carefully around its legs
until the deer was able to stand up and limp away.

The girl smiled as she watched the little deer, but standing there in the chill wind
of the wintry night, she suddenly realised how very cold it was outside and how
her stomach ached with hunger. She had given away her loaf of bread, her hat,
her scarf, her coat and even some of her dress – and now, all of a sudden, she
saw that she truly had nothing left in the world.

“Poor little thing,” she said.

 Feeling a great sadness in her heart, she stepped onto the moonlit
path to begin her journey again. As she did so, she found that she was
suddenly dressed in a fine, shimmering gown that seemed to be woven
from moonbeams. She looked up at the sky in disbelief and saw that stars
were falling from the heavens above her and, as they hit the ground, they
turned into shining golden coins. It was a winter miracle!

Laughing at the wonder of it all, the little girl gathered up as many coins
as she could in the skirts of her new gown. The girl walked back to town,
eager to share her new riches with everyone. She was lit up, not by the
moonbeams shining in her dress or the shimmer of starry coins, but by
her own happiness.

Act It Out!
Cut lots of coins out of
golden card or tin foil
and shower them down
like shooting stars. How
many can you
catch?

38
 Brilliant Books

The Life and Adventures of

Santa Claus By L. Frank Baum

T hey were happy days for Claus when he carried

his toys to the local children. Wherever
he showed his merry face, he received
a cordial welcome, for his
fame had spread.

At each village the children swarmed

about him, following his footsteps
wherever he went; and the women
thanked him for the joy he brought
their little ones. Everyone smiled
and gave him kindly words.

Claus had been so industrious

that all his shelves were filled
with playthings, and after quickly
supplying the little ones living
near to Laughing Valley
he saw he must now
extend his travels to
wider fields. He knew
children were everywhere,
and he longed to make as many
as possible happy with his gifts.

39
When his store of toys was exhausted, All this kept him busily at work, and
he set about making a fresh supply. before he realised it, winter came,
From seeing so many children and with deeper snows than usual, and
studying their tastes, he had acquired he knew he couldn’t leave the valley
several new ideas about toys. with his heavy pack. So he remained
at his work-bench, where he whistled
The dollies were, he had found, the
and sang as merrily as ever.
most delightful playthings for babies,
so Claus resolved to make many
dolls, of all sizes, and to dress them
One bright morning he looked from
in bright-coloured clothing. The older
his window and saw two deer from
boys and girls loved the animals, so
the forest walking toward his house.
he made cats and elephants and
horses. And many of the little fellows Claus was surprised – not that the
had musical natures and longed for friendly deer should visit him, but that
drums and cymbals and whistles and they walked on the snow as easily as
horns. So he made toy drums, with if it were solid ground. Throughout the
tiny sticks to beat them with; and he valley the snow lay many feet deep.
made whistles from the willow trees, He had walked out of his house a day
and horns from reeds, and cymbals or two before and sunk to his armpits
from bits of beaten metal. in a drift. So when the deer came
 near, he opened the door and called “Then you must wait until spring,
to them: Claus,” said Glossie.

“Good morning, Flossie and Glossie! “If I had your fleet feet,” said Claus,
Tell me how you are able to walk on “I could make the journey in a day.
the snow so easily.” Perhaps I could ride upon your back?”

“It is frozen hard,” answered Flossie. “Oh no! Our backs are not strong
“The surface is now as solid as ice.” enough,” said Flossie, decidedly.
“But if you had a sledge, and could
“Perhaps,” remarked Claus, “I might
harness us to it, we might draw you
now carry my toys to the children.”
easily, and your pack as well.”
“Is it a long journey?” asked Flossie.
“I’ll make a sledge!” exclaimed Claus.
“Yes; it will take many days, for the “Will you agree to draw me if I do?”
pack is heavy,” answered Claus.
“Well,” replied Flossie, “we must first
ask our guardians; but if they consent,
we will gladly assist you.”
Did You Know? “Then go at once!” cried Claus. “By
You probably know Dasher, Dancer,
Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner the time you are back, I shall be ready
and Blitzen better than Flossie and to harness you to my sledge.”
Glossie. These famous reindeer come
from Clement Clarke Moore’s poem,
‘A Visit from St Nicholas’. But did you
know that Donner and Blitzen were
originally called Dunder and Blixem –
Dutch for ‘Thunder’ and ‘Lightning’?
 Flossie and Glossie gladly ran over Claus seated himself upon the stool,
the frozen snow to ask if they might placed the sack of toys at his feet, and
carry Claus on his journey. then gathered up the reins.

Meanwhile, the toy-maker hurriedly “All ready!” he shouted. “Away we go!”

began the construction of a sledge,
using material from his wood-pile. He
made two long runners that turned The deer leant forward, lifted their
upward at the front, with a platform. slender limbs, and the next moment
The harness was more difficult, but away flew the sledge over the frozen
Claus twisted strong cords together snow. The swiftness surprised Claus,
and knotted them to fit around the for in a few strides they were across
deer’s necks. It was soon completed. the valley and gliding over the plain.
The moon shone brightly above.
Before long, Glossie and Flossie were
back. They had permission to make Claus decided it was just as pleasant
the journey with Claus, provided they to travel by night as by day. The deer
were back by daybreak. liked it better; for, though they wished
to see something of the world, they
“That is not a long time,” said Flossie.
were timid about meeting men, and
“But we are swift and strong, and we
now everyone was sound asleep.
can travel many miles in the night.”
Away and away they sped, on and on
Claus hurried. He fastened the collars
over the hills and through the valleys
around their necks and harnessed
until they reached
them to his sledge. Then he placed a
a village where
stool on the platform for a seat, and
Claus had
filled a sack with his toys.
never been.
“Are you ready?” asked Glossie.

42
Here he called them to stop, and they “Why don’t you climb down that
obeyed. But there was a new difficulty, chimney?” asked Glossie.
for people had locked their doors and
Claus looked at it. “That would be
Claus couldn’t enter the houses.
easy enough if I were on top of the
“I am afraid we have made our journey roof,” he answered.
for nothing,” he said. “I shall have to
“Then hold fast and we will take you
carry my toys home again without
there,” said the deer, and they gave
giving them to the children here.”
one leap and landed by the chimney.
“What’s the matter?” asked Flossie.
“Good!” cried Claus, and he slung the
“The doors are locked,” answered sack of toys over his shoulder and got
Claus, “and I can’t get in.” into the chimney.

Glossie looked around. The snow There was plenty of soot, but Claus
was deep, and before them was a didn’t mind. By placing his hands and
roof only a few feet above the sledge,
with a broad chimney at its peak.

43
knees against the sides he crept “Don’t be so long,” called Flossie, “or
down until he reached the fireplace. we shall never be back by daybreak.”
Leaping over the coals, he found
Claus made a trip down this chimney
himself in a large sitting-room.
and found five children sleeping, who
From this room two doorways led into were quickly supplied with toys.
smaller chambers. In one, a woman
When he returned, the deer sprang
lay asleep next to a baby in a crib.
to the next roof, and when he had
Claus took a big doll from his sack
climbed down all of the chimneys
and laid it in the crib. The little one
in the village, and had left a toy for
smiled, as if it dreamt of its pretty
every child, Claus found that his
plaything, and Claus crept softly from
great sack was not yet half emptied.
the room and entered the other door.

Here were two boys, fast asleep with

their arms around each other’s necks. “Onward, friends!” he called to the
Claus placed upon their bed a drum, deer. “We must seek another village.”
a horn and a wooden elephant.
So away they dashed, and in a short
He did not linger, but climbed the time they came to a large city – the
chimney again and seated himself largest Claus had ever visited. He
on his sledge. set to work at once and his
beautiful deer carried him
“Can you find another chimney?” he
from one roof to another.
asked the reindeer.
At last the supply of toys
“Easily enough,” replied the deer.
was completely
Down to the edge of the roof they exhausted.
raced and, without pausing, leapt
through the air to the next roof.
With the empty sack at his feet, Claus seated himself in the sledge and turned the
heads of Glossie and Flossie toward home.

“We must race for the Laughing Valley,” said Flossie. “Hold tight, friend!”

Claus held tight and the next moment was flying so swiftly that he could not see
the trees as they whirled past. Up hill and down dale, swift as an arrow shot from
a bow they dashed, and Claus left the deer to find their own way.

Finally, the sledge came to a sudden stop and Claus tumbled from his seat into a
snowdrift. The sledge had come to a stop only a few feet from his own door. In the
east, he saw the day breaking, and when he turned round, he spotted Glossie and
Flossie just disappearing into the forest.

Find It!
Santa Clau
s dropped
six of the p
resents in
his sack. C
an y
find them fo ou
r him
in the pictu
re?

COMPETITION! Win a copy of The Life 45

and Adventures of Santa Claus! See page 50.
 Storytime
Playb x
Make sock snowman decorations and help Santa deliver
his presents – but not before you’ve solved our story puzzles!

1 LITTLE
STARS!
Can you match up a b c d
the items the girl in
Golden Stars gives 1
away to the people 2 4
she gives them to?
3
2 Present 3 Quick Quiz
PILE-UP What does the Queen of
How many presents do
you get if you add up Winter use to spread ice
all the gifts in Twelve everywhere and shape
Days of Christmas? Scotland’s mountains?
Write your answer here.
A
Umbrella B
Hammer
C
Spade
 4 Snow Which of these snow-covered shapes is the
Greedy Fox? Circle the one you think is right! E
Bodies
B D

A C
A s
g ro k awn-up!
5 SOCK SNOWMAN
Make a cute little snowman decoration for your Christmas table,
inspired by our Snow Child story.
• Before you begin, get everything together. You need scissors,
a long white sock, a colourful ankle sock, rubber bands, rice,
decorative ribbon, beads, buttons or pom-poms and strong glue.
• Cut the foot part off the bottom of your white sock. Turn the sock
inside out, then tightly secure one open end with a rubber band.
• Turn the sock out the correct way again so that the rubber band
is on the inside.
• Pour rice into the sock. When it’s two-thirds full, twist a rubber
band around the sock to separate the body from the head –
this doesn’t need to be tight.
• Pour in more rice to inish the head and secure the open top
of the sock with another rubber band.
• Cut the foot section off a colourful sock and pull it over your snowman’s head
46 to make a hat, securing the top with another rubber band if you need to.
• Tie some ribbon around the snowman’s neck to make a scarf.
• To inish, give your snowman button, bead or pom-pom eyes, a nose and
some buttons on its tummy!

3. Quick Quiz – B, Hammer; 4. Snow Bodies – E

ANSWERS: 1. Little Stars – 1d, 2b, 3c, 4a; 2. Present Pile-Up – 78;
47
SAN TA’S L I T T L E HE L P E R

1 1
How to Play
You need two to four players and

1 3
a dice to play this festive game!
Print out our Gift Game Cards
from storytimemagazine.com/free
or use pennies as your presents.

Decide which player will go first

and which of the four sacks you’ll
fill up – yellow, red, blue or green.
Player one throws the dice onto
the game board. If you land on a 1,
put one present in your sack; if you
land on a 2, put two presents in
your sack and so on.
Be sure to follow any special
instructions you land on.
1 2
Players take it in turns to roll
and each player has five rolls (or
you can have more rolls and play
for longer).
At the end of the game, count
Elves on
up the presents in your sack.
Whoever has the most at the end
of the game is Santa’s helper!
lunch break
MISS A ROLL 1
48
 Print out our
Oh no, Santa has run out of toys! Can you Gift Game Cards at:
help him fill his sack so that every girl and storytimemagazin
e.com/free
boy gets a gift on Christmas Day?

1
2 3 AND A
BONUS ROLL!

1 2
Hole in sack
LOSE 2
PRESENTS

1 1
AND A
BONUS ROLL!
1
1 2 1
STORY MAGIC
Fill up your Christmas stockings with brilliant festive books this
year – your little story-lovers will love you for it!

h
4 Festive Books! Book o f t h e M o n t
Emma O’Donovan, who runs the brilliant book blog Christmas for Greta and Gracie
booksniffingpug.blogspot.co.uk, recommends four by Yasmeen Ismail is a delightful
fab books for your Christmas list and our Book of the celebration of the magic of Christmas
Month. Follow Emma on Twitter as @maybeswabey! through a child’s eyes. Yasmeen has
perfectly captured the dynamics
1. The Snow Beast by Chris Judge – the Beast and between siblings of
the Snow Beast unite in this madcap winter escapade, different ages in this
featuring an unexpected friendship and the ultimate tribute to embracing
Christmas party. (Andersen Press) differences. A true
2. The Red Prince by Charlie Roscoe and Tom Clohosy classic culminating
Cole – an epic tale of courage, which will have readers in a magical encounter
on the edge of their seats as a prince in red pjyamas with Father Christmas.
tries to escape his captors. (Templar Publishing) Perfect for reading
on Christmas Eve!
3. Penguin’s Way by Johanna Johnston and Leonard (Nosy Crow.)
Weisgard – a beautiful exploration of the life of the
emperor penguin. This is perfect for igniting a passion
for the natural world. (Bodleian Children’s Books) CLAUS
4. The Christmas Eve Tree by Delia Huddy and Emily
Sutton – this compelling and beautifully illustrated story COMPETITION!
about a homeless boy and a fir tree deftly conveys the
true meaning of Christmas. (Walker Books)
Follow Santa Claus on
his incredible adventures!
Enter to win one of five copies
of L. Frank Baum’s amazing
book, The Life and Adventures
of Santa Claus! Visit:
storytimemagazine.com/
win

WIN!