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The Elf
that Saved Christmas
（9）
--By Audrey Chiang (江婉柔)
Chapter Seven
"Attention everyone! I want to welcome you to this special,
special assembly. Great news awaits, and
I simply can't wait to share it to you all," Santa announced, standing on
a high stage in the center of Snowflake Square.
Ruby hid behind a thick curtain, waiting for Santa's signal to go
out. She excitedly pinched her green
velvet tunic, which was a perfect fit.
It hugged her hips and swished in the most pleasant way. Ruby wore a dark, pine green knit cardigan
that fell over her snug golden braided waistband. Her new boots even had fur linings!
"I'd like to introduce a very,
very special guest, who is the reason for this assembly. Please welcome, RUBY KOOKIEN!" Santa turned and smiled at Ruby. The little elf nearly skipped onto the stage. A loud gasp of surprise came from within the
huddle of elves clothed in brown. Ruby
saw that it was Woodern. She gulped.
"Ruby has ended the biggest
Christmas dilemma of the century. There
will be no need of a new lead reindeer.
She has solved the problem, with-THIS!" Santa picked up the harness from behind him.
"With this Christmas Light Harness
that Ruby has created, Rudolph will be able to light the way for me no matter
what. I cannot explain the gratitude I
feel for her. Please applaud, for RUBY
KOOKIEN!"
The audience cheered and clapped. They were slapping their hands together as if
their life depended on it.
"Talen," Santa turned to the
Head Elf. "I know Ruby caused
destruction in the factory on her first day, but she deserves a second
chance. Her invention proves
it." Talen nodded. And for once, a small smile flitted across
his grim face.
"Well, thank you everyone, for
joining us today! Christmas has been
saved! Remember to come for the Sleigh
Sendoff!" Santa reminded everyone
as he concluded the assembly.
The elves shouted "We will!"
and "We won't forget!" as the crowd dispersed. But one elf stayed. He was a pudgy and ruddy elf dressed in a
brown tunic. He was Woodern. Ruby's stable partner made his way through
the throng of elves leaving, until he was face-to-face with Ruby.
"My word," he said. "Santa, I never knew I was a-workin'
with a genius." That set the two males off. Their laughter rang out into the frosty air.
"You aren't mad at me?" Ruby
inquired anxiously.
"You know little lass, I was at
first," Woodern began. "For
one, I knew you weren't at all sick tha' day.
When I was a chippin' young'un, I'd play sick for weeks! I hated workin', 'till I realized the
reindeers were amazin'!"
"So no, little one, I'm proud o'
ya," Woodern continued.
"Someday, I jus' know it, you'll be the most famous inventor
around," Woodern smiled at Ruby.
And that was enough.
.............................................................................
That night, Ruby didn't sleep in her
own cottage. Santa and Mrs. Claus had
invited her to stay for the night with them.
Tomorrow was Christmas Eve, the day Santa would leave for his trip
around the world. Ruby was too excited
to sleep. She had two things to look
forward to; a new job at the factory in the morning, and a ride in Santa's
sleigh tomorrow night. Ruby could still
remember the night when she saw the gigantic sled in the factory.
Trying to get some sleep, Ruby snuggled
under a thick quilt and buried her curly head into her pillow. The horrible disaster at the factory felt so
long ago, and Ruby just couldn't wait to start work.
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【法奶日報www.lulijen.com2015.3.2.出刊，第9-1340號】