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The Elf
that Saved Christmas
（8）
--By Audrey Chiang (江婉柔)
Chapter Six
"Brr!" Ruby stood shivering outside her cottage with
two scarves wrapped around her neck and a overcoat thrown over her stable
uniform. She was hugging a wrapped
parcel to her chest, which contained the leather contraption.
The weather had changed overnight. Snow fell from the sky in relentless
packs. The wind sliced Ruby's
cheeks. Frost began to form on her nose,
and her toes went numb. But Ruby didn't
care. She was on a mission to Santa's
house. By looking on the map, Ruby saw that
his cottage was in the center of the North Pole, north of the Factory. Ruby's clumpy snow boots crunched through the
layer of snow as she treaded down the path.
Ruby was scared. She hadn't reported another absence to the
office, and Woodern would be furious.
Ruby scrunched up her eyes as guilt washed over her. Poor good, sweet Woodern. He would be so hurt. The walk to Santa's house was long, due to
the weather. As she stood with her knees
knocking, Ruby finally stared up at Santa's home in front of her.
It was a small, cozy, square house with
shiny cream furnishings and a tiled snow white roof. The walls were painted a buttercup
yellow. The brown wood framed windows
emitted a rosy glow. Quaint porch lights
flickered out at Ruby as she slowly proceeded up the path to the front
door. Her hands were so cold that she
could barely knock. Slowly Ruby brought
her knuckles in contact with the wooden door.
Conk, conkity, conk.
A few seconds later, the door swung
open, and a warm light poured out into the cold dark outside. Mrs. Claus stood at the doorway. Good natured looking like Santa, she had soft
snowy hair curled around a ruddy face.
Her eyes were a muted periwinkle blue that sparkled with her smile. Mrs. Claus was wearing a wide flower-print
apron over a holly red housedress that rustled with every move.
"Why, hello there dearie, are you
a new delivery elf? You can just leave
the parcel by the door here," Mrs. Claus said kindly.
"Actually, I kinda have to talk to
Santa. It's really important,
honest," Ruby said, hoping she didn't sound scared.
"Well then, come in so that the
cold doesn't get to you," Mrs. Claus seemed to be an understanding person.
Ruby wiped off her boots and stepped
inside. She was instantly filled with a
tingling warmth that flooded through every inch of her body.
"Follow me," Mrs. Claus padded
across the tan carpet into a spacious sitting room.
"Sit down, won't you dear? I'll call Santa in a moment," Mrs. Claus
gestured to a springy couch with many pillows.
Ruby smiled gratefully and sank into
the seat. The roaring fire in the hearth
warmed up her toes, as she dangled her feet above the braided rug. A giant easy chair sat in the corner, with
velvet blankets draped on it. The
initials S.C .were stitched in white thread on the back of the chair. Ruby guessed the sofa belonged to Santa.
"Why hello there, what brings you
to my house? Is there trouble with the
reindeers?" Santa bumbled in, wearing a heavy red terry cloth robe over
his striped pajamas. He sank down into
the easy chair and looked anxiously at her.
"Um-" Ruby suddenly wasn't
sure about what to say. "
I-I-er....I-um, heard about Rudolph, and-"
Before Ruby could finish her sentence, Santa cut her off.
"Yes, yes I know. Numerous elves have come to me suggesting new
antidotes for poor Rudolph, but the doctor has already tried all of them. They simply don't work. Time will heal Rudolph. Now, if that's why you're here, I suggest you
get right back to work."
Ruby had never thought Santa would be
so stern.
"No, Santa you don't understand-"
but Ruby was already being hustled out the door by Mrs. Claus.
"I'm so sorry dear, but my husband
has never been quite right after Rudolph's nose went out. It's best you do his bidding," Mrs.
Claus looked sympathetically at Ruby.
"Wait please!" Ruby cried
out. She was inches away from the door,
and yet she had accomplished nothing.
"It's all right sweetheart, no
antidote will ever work on poor Rudolph. Here, take these mittens and go right
back to the stables. You won't be cold
there," Mrs. Claus said, taking no notice of Ruby. She handed Ruby a pair of warm knit
mittens. Ruby was so frustrated that she
couldn't stand it.
"You don't understand!" Ruby screamed. "I HAVE THIS! A Christmas Light Reindeer Harness!"
She hastily whipped out the harness she
had worked on all day and night, holding
it up high so that both Clauses could see.
"Rudolph can still lead
Santa! I made a harness that can light
up anytime! If you just turn this switch
on, the Christmas lights will turn on, and you can still find your
way!" Ruby turned on the lights for
Santa to see.
On her first day at the North Pole,
Ruby had been impressed by all the lights, which had sparked her idea.
Ruby was greeted with open mouths. Mrs. Claus was the first one to break the
silence.
"Oh Ruby dear!" She collected
the little elf into her arms and hugged Ruby.
Abruptly, Santa stood up.
"A Christmas Light Reindeer
Harness! BRILLIANT! On my beard!
I BELIEVE YOU'VE GOT IT!" A
grin as wide as the ocean lit up Santa's face.
He swept Ruby into his arms and gave her such a big bear hug that Ruby
had the wind knocked out of her.
"Thank you, thank you kindly, little
elf. I'm sorry I snapped at you,"
Santa smiled. "You deserve a
reward. Ruby, you now have your job back
at the factory," he added.
Ruby was stunned. Were her ears deceiving her?
"Pardon, me--could you repeat that
please?" she asked shakily.
"On my beard, Ruby! I said you have your factory job
back!" Santa cried, "Not only
do you get that, you, Ruby, get to ride in my sleigh with Rudolph leading and
wearing your harness."
Ruby simply could not believe it. She squealed as she had never squealed
before. "Thank you, thank you,
thank you, thank you, Santa!"
"No need to thank me, Ruby, you
deserve every bit of it," Santa grinned, patting Ruby's head.
"It's time to announce this good
news! And of course, Ruby, you must come
to announce it with me," Santa declared and turned to Mrs. Claus.
"Dear wife, she needs a new outfit
for this special occasion! Please work
some magic on her!" Santa said as he
climbed up the stairs.
"Come, come dearie, let's get you
dressed up," Mrs. Claus bustled Ruby into another room. "I have the perfect little tunic for
you."
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【法奶日報www.lulijen.com2015.2.26.出刊，第9-1339號】