>Santa's Bad Day > > > >One particular Christmas season a long time ago, Santa was getting ready >for his annual trip, but there were problems everywhere. Four of his >elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast >as the regular ones so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being >behind schedule. > >Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her mom was coming to visit. This >stressed Santa even more. > >When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were >about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out, heaven >knows where. More stress. >Then when he began to load the sleigh one of the boards cracked, and the >toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys. > >So, frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of apple cider and a >shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves >had hidden the liquor, and there was nothing to drink. In his >frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider pot, and it broke into >hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the >broom and found that mice had eaten the straw end of the broom. Just >then the doorbell rang, and irritable Santa trudged to the door. He >opened the door, and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas >tree. > >The angel said, very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't it a >lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to >stick it?" > > >Thus began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas >tree.