The Christmas Wish

            It is Christmas Eve, the happiest time of the year in Santa’s workshop. The elves are working hard putting the last touches on baby dolls, toy fire engines, bouncing balls, and hundreds of other toys. Tiny hammers tingling blend with ringing bells. It is a beautiful Christmas orchestra. Elves’ voices sing out Christmas favorites like “Jingle Bells,” “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,” and “Santa Claus is coming to Town.” Sweet smells of cherry chocolates, mint truffles, and peanut brittle came from Mrs. Claus’s kitchen. Everyone is happy at this joyous and merry time of year.
            Everyone, that is, except Rupert. With haste, he closed the Senior Toy Maker’s door and sprinted down the hall. Tears stream down his face. He rushed past the toy doll factory; he tiptoed by the “Stuff-A-Bear” shop. He didn’t even stop to smell the apple pie cooking in the kitchen. Mr. Jolly, the Senior Toy Maker, just gave him terrible news. More tears poured from his eyes just thinking about it. He swallowed the lump forming in his throat. He scurried past the Elf Resource office, which is responsible for hiring new elves and, unfortunately, letting go old ones.
            At the same time, Sandra Triffet, assistant cook, was returning to the kitchen after giving Santa warm chocolate chip cookies when she heard two voices coming from Mr. Jolly’s office. Pausing at the door, she heard “job has been given to someone else…” and “please accept our sincere ap…” and you’ve worked hard for us….” There was silence, quiet padding of feet headed towards the door, and then the door knob turned. Sandra hid around the corner. She peeked around and saw Rupert’s tear-streaked face before he ran down the hall.
            Was he fired, she thought? She couldn’t believe it. Rupert is, or at least was, Santa’s favorite elf. She knew that many years ago Santa found Rupert abandoned in the cold North Pole. He adopted Rupert and ever since Rupert helped Santa deliver gifts on Christmas morning. She wondered who would join Santa in his sleigh now but more importantly she wondered what it would be like now in Santa’s workshop without Rupert. Not pausing another second, Sandra ran to the factory floor to tell the others.
            Bursting through the factory doors, she found the closest chair and stood on it. She wanted everyone to know what she had heard and seen. “Everyone, please stop working and listen to me,” she shouted. “I just saw Rupert leave Mr. Jolly’s office. He was crying. Rupert has been let go. I heard it. I watched him leave.”
            In just 10 seconds all of the Christmas joy vanished. No more singing, no more hammers tingling, and no more Christmas magic in the air. The conveyors screeched to a halt. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
            Elves began talking at once. “Rupert?” one asked. “Are you sure? He’s Santa’s favorite. Santa will not let him go. He’s too important.” The other elves nodded in agreement”.
            “I am sure,” answered Sandra. “I saw it myself. What are we going to do? We can’t let them get away with this. This is an outrage. We have to do something.”
            Heads nodded. “Yes,” someone shouted. “Let’s help Rupert. I’ll not work for Santa without Rupert.” Several elves hurried towards the factory doors determined to talk with Santa. Before they could leave Mr. Jolly and Santa Claus entered the factory. The elves stopped in their tracks glaring at Santa and Mr. Jolly.
            Mr. Jolly cleared his throat then spoke. “Ladies and gentlemen,” Mr. Jolly said. “Santa tells me you have stopped working. I see this is true. He also tells me you’ve been told Rupert has been fired.” Sandra fell back behind the others embarrassed to be indirectly pointed out. “I must explain what has happened. This is a difficult time for all of us. Rupert’s sudden leaving has left us with a problem.”
            “Yeah, please explain,” one elf whispered to another. “Go ahead and tell us about Rupert’s firing.”
            Rupert has urgent matters to attend to in the United States,” Mr. Jolly said. “Several years ago Rupert adopted a young, orphaned human boy. Yes, this is forbidden under elf law unless specifically approved by Santa. Rupert received Santa’s blessing. He saved this boy like Santa did for him. For the past several years Rupert has watched over this boy, provided for him, made sure he received the support he needed. This boy, you see, suffers from a rare form of leukemia.”
            The elves stood stunned as they heard this news. Mr. Jolly continued, “This morning Santa received news this boy will not live past Christmas unless a miracle occurs. The news came as a wish from this little boy. Using the powerful magic of Christmas this boy has wished for the miracle of life, to be healed of this terrible disease. Rupert has to be the miracle. As you know, elf law allows for an elf to take his human’s place in death only on Christmas Day. Rupert’s love for this boy makes it possible for him to do this. Is this not the true meaning of Christmas? Santa has released Rupert from his duties to be with this young boy.”
            Elves wiped tears from their eyes. Yes, they knew this was what was Christmas was about. Some fell to their knees humbled by Rupert’s example. Their best friend had reminded them that Christmas is not about the presents and the music and holiday food. Christmas is the time to give to others and not take for ourselves.
            “Now elves,” Santa said with a twinkle in his eyes. “Let us be joyous during this Season. Let us finish our work we have begun. And let us continue to bring peace and joy to this world for years to come. This is what Rupert would say if he was here. We won’t forget him but if we don’t deliver Christmas spirit to the little boys and girls then Rupert’s sacrifice is in vain.”
            The elves nodded in agreement. It is what Rupert would want. They jumped to their feet, wiped the tears from their eyes, and went to their work. Within seconds the sounds of Christmas reverberated in Santa’s workshop. Santa looked upon his elves and smiled. Once again Christmas had been saved.