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“I sure hope Sparkly is kinder to the Jingle Jest Squad in her headlines,” said Lil as they trekked further North of Santa’s workshop.
“Pah! Yeah right,” said Pixie. “That snoopy snit is only interested in selling papers. I can only imagine what today’s headline says about us.”
“Stop!” said Glitter. “Do you hear that?”
They all halted their progress and strained their ears to listen.
Hassha shhh. Shap ha shhh.
“Hosh Posh?” asked Figgy.
“Hash Shap?” wondered Nim.
“I think it’s just the wind. Let’s keep moving,” said Lil.
They took a few more steps and the whispers grew louder.
“Ok,” said Figgy. “You all heard that, right?”
AGGGHHHH!
Seemingly out of nowhere, a small green clad sprite with a tunic of pine needles ran straight into Figgy’s ankle and started to fiercely attack him. Figgy looked down in surprise, then gently lifted the sprite by the collar and brought it to eye level.
“Let me go, villain! Or you will regret your interference in the Whispering Woods!”
The tiny sprite waved its tiny arms, brandishing a tiny sword. Figgy looked at Glitter. “What is this thing?”
Adopting a calm, respectful tone, Glitter said, “Fear not, brave warrior. My friends and I come in peace.”
As if a switch flipped, the small green creature immediately calmed and turned its head to Glitter.
“Glitter!” it said with excitement. “We’ve not seen you in these parts since the last time the Reindeer Games were held here and you—.”
“Yes,” Glitter hastily interrupted. “It has been a long time Flip. Too long.”
Flip cleared his throat and glared at Figgy who was still holding him by the collar.
“Oh!” said Figgy. “Of course, so sorry.” He set the creature atop a small boulder and took a step back.
Making a big show of straightening his…leaves, Flip turned back to Glitter. “What are you doing here, Glitter? I thought you were permanently with Santa at the North Pole?”
“I was, that is, I am, but there is a situation at the North Pole that requires investigation. We–Figgy, Pixie, Nim, Lil, and I–are on a mission from Santa himself.”
Immediately, the small sprite straightened his back. “What can I do to help?”
“We need information. We found a book with an old story about a mailbox full of forgotten letters. Wish lists that children had written that never made it to Santa. Have you ever heard of anything like that?”
Flip’s eyes grew wide. “Missing wish lists? Oh that’s bad. Santa is known for his generosity and kindness. If word gets out that he is not fulfilling children’s wishes, his reputation will be tarnished, and people will stop believing in him!
Lil nodded. “That’s why finding these lost letters is crucial. Not only for maintaining Santa’s reputation, but also for keeping the magic of Christmas alive.”
Glitter nodded. “It gets worse.”
Nim, startled, turned to Glitter. “More than what you’ve told us?”
Glitter nodded grimly.
Pixie gasped. “What could possibly make it worse?”
Glitter continued. “Santa received a letter from a child who is losing faith in the magic of Christmas because his wish was not granted last year.”
A collective gasp filled the night. “Santa is determined to find the missing letters and fulfill every child’s wish to restore the magic of Christmas. Before it is too late.”
a pinch of homestead 