Santa's and the Micycle... To hear the sound click the green arrow on the control below...

Wriggle and Squirm were very excited because it was only two days to go to Christmas Day. Auntie had bought a Christmas tree which they had decorated, and there were some presents under it. Not only that, but Auntie had told the two mice that Father Christmas would bring more presents if they were ever so good. Lying in bed Wriggle and Squirm could not get to sleep, so they whispered to one another in case Auntie should hear them. "Do you think I'll get a new micycle from Santa ?", Squirm asked his brother." Only I do hope , if I do, that it's a red one , continued Squirm. " I don't know, do I ", said Wriggle. " Anyway I'm more worried in case I don't get my new skates. I shall need them to get to school if this icy weather keeps up ."
Just then a huge noise resounded all through the house. It sounded like pounding on the roof, and the whole house shook. Auntie ran in calling , "Quick, on the floor, and put your duvets over your heads. It may be an earthquake."
Everyone threw themselves onto the floor, shaking with fear. Suddenly the bedroom door was flung open, and there stood Santa covered in snow, with his hat hanging half off , and his boots thick with mud.
Looking at Auntie , he said, " Goodness me Miss Mouse, what are you doing lying on the floor like that? Do get up there's no time to waste. I'm in a hurry. Hasn't anyone told you it's Christmas?" Well, Auntie was most embarrassed , but she soon rose to her feet , hurried downstairs and popped the kettle on to make Santa a warming cup of tea.As they all sat round the kitchen table Santa told them what had happened. His sleigh had developed a broken runner, which meant that the reindeer could not pull it , unless it was fixed. Of course, if this wasn't done in time, then noone would receive their presents from Santa. It took a lot of thinking and many cups of tea before Squirm had an idea. " What if Wriggle and I fetch all our friends to help us deliver those presents, Santa, and at the same time, I can go to Mr. Busy Badgers to see if he will come and mend your sleigh. Then , as soon as it is fixed, you can finish delivering all the childrens presents".
Well, Santa thought this a brilliant idea. He patted Squirm on the head, which made Wriggle quite jealous, but both little mice , wrapped up in their warm mits and hats, ran excitedly off to fetch Mr. Busy Badger, as well as all their friends. Soon Mr. Badger was busy mending the sleighs' runner, whilst Wriggle, Squirm , and at least 30 of their friends were collecting presents to be delivered to nearby town and villages. Time being of the essence, they all ran to complete their tasks. They did look unusual with the santa hats which the elves popped on the head of each helper. They were woolly, red with white fur edging, and each hat had the words ,"Santas Helper" , neatly sewn onto the front.What a busy time it was . Animals were hurrying to and fro delivering the presents to children in as many towns and villages as they could manage. All day and way into the dark of night they worked.By midnight everyone was exhausted. Even Auntie had joined the others, slipping and sliding her way to Mr. Horrocks' farm where three children dreamed of exciting gifts from Santa. Poor old Auntie arrived home totally worn out. She sat in her favourite chair, put her feet up by the fire, and promptly fell asleep!Soon all the weary helpers had arrived back. They gathered near the reindeer, who were by now pawing the ground , quite desperate to get into the sky to finish their nights' work. Bells jangled as they shook their heads in anticipation of their journey.Of course you will know that they were also looking forward to the treats that girls and boys would leave out for them !

Mr. Busy Badger announced the work well done, "So the sleigh will fly like the wind tonight", he told Santa. With the reindeer harnessed, and Santa aboard, the elves put all the remaining presents in a huge pile onto the sleigh.
"Come on Lads", called Santa to the Reindeer, " Let's be off, we're late tonight, and there's loads to do yet". Then , away they flew whilst all the animals waved goodby, and goodluck to them.
Of course Santa had thanked everyone for their help . All the tired little helpers went home to bed, each one feeling very happy that they had been chosen to help make so many children happy tonight. Just as he began to doze off to sleep Wriggle murmured to his brother,"I doubt that Santa will have time to give us skates or a bike this year, nor enough money. After all he's had to have the sleigh fixed, and he's already late doing his deliveries." Squirm heard his brother and sleepily replied," Never mind it was much more fun helping Santa. Just think we may be the only mice in the world who have ever seen him, let alone helping him. We are so lucky." Then they fell sound asleep. So did Auntie, who was quite tired out.
All through the night the sound of sleigh bells could be heard all over the world. The reindeer went faster than they had ever done before. Just half an hour before daylight the deliveries were almost done. "Right chaps", shouted Santa, " Make it snappy, there's one last place to go, and that's where we came from"! The reindeer agreed that they must make sure Wriggle and Squirm had a present for Christmas, but they knew that they had to be there bfore daylight, so they took deeps breaths, then rose higher in sky so that they could fly even faster than they had ever done, with the wind behind them to help them out. In no time at all Santa had placed three presents under the tree, one for Wriggle, one for Squirm, and one for Auntie.
Just as he turned to leave he noticed a note on the table , with his name on it. He picked it up and read, "Santa , this is for you with lots of love from Wriggle, Squirm, and Auntie". Inside the paper ,which he tore open ever so quickly, was a new red hat, a pair of mits, and a large stick of licourice! (Santa loved Licourice you see).
With a final shout of , " Merry Christmas, " he and his sleigh rose to the clouds to disappear homewards. Santa's shout had awoken Auntie, who was soon dressed , and in the kitchen making breakfast when the two little fellows came downstairs. They all went into the living room , not expecting to find very much at all. You can imagine their surprise when they saw three large presents under the tree.
Squirm was the first to rush and open his. There could never have been a happier mouse than he, when he saw a gorgeous red Mi-cycle . It even had a small toy mouse head as the bell on the handle bar, as well as pedals that were exactly the right height for his little legs. In the meantime Wriggle was unwrapping his gift. "OOOh, look , Auntie. See what I have from Santa . Aren't they the most beautiful skates you ever saw!," he enthused. Auntie smiled. Then she noticed a card addressed to them all. Opening it she read,

"Thank you all very much for your help. For being such good and kind boys, I have left the gifts you wanted, and for your Auntie a small token of my appreciation. Merry Christmas,Santa"
Well, Auntie was very amazed to find that she too had a present from Santa. Unwrapping it excitedly, with fumbling fingers, she saw something that truly astonished her. Neatly wrapped in tissue was the most beautiful winter coat, with a new pair of boots tucked in the corner of the box. The ooohs and aaahs were quite something to hear. They were a very happy family.
Naturally, as children all over the world do, Wriggle and Squirm spent the entire day outside , skating and cycling up and down until Auntie called them in for Christmas dinner, which they enjoyed immensely.
So it was, that with full tummies, and happy hearts , the three mice had the happiest Christmas in their lives. So, of course, did a lot of children all over the world, who would have had nothing from Santa , without the help of all the animals, and the expertise of Mr. Busy Badger.

I do hope you have enjoyed this story. It is available as an E-Book on my download page.