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Sparkly Sprinkles arrived at the North Pole, ready to confront Santa and demand answers, but as she entered the gates, she knew something was wrong.
To her horror, she found Santa’s workshop in disarray—toys broken, decorations scattered, and the four elves and reindeer she’d been hunting, staring mournfully at what was left of the workshop.
“You!” Glitter exclaimed, her voice a mix of anger and disappointment. The other Mischief Makers shot accusing glances at Sparkly.
Figgy scowled, “What have you done?”
Sparkly winced at the accusatory tone. “Me? Wh-what are you talking about?”o
Nim shook his head in disbelief. “This is beyond mischief, Sparkly. You’ve ruined Christmas for everyone!”
Defensive, Sparkly retorted, “How does this have anything to do with me?”
Nim shoved a crumpled piece of paper at her. With shaking hands, she took it and read the note left by the Grinch Gang.
Dear Santa,
You can thank Sparkly Sprinkles for this mess. We overheard her yapping about confronting you and thought we’d follow her to seek revenge for kicking us out of the toymaking academy all those years ago. Bet you’re regretting that choice! Haha!
Good luck with the clean-up, big guy!
Not-so-Merry Christmas,
The Grinch Gang
P.S. Tell the Mrs. that the cookies were delicious!
“B-but I, I didn’t, how could I have known?” spluttered Sparkly.
“This wouldn’t have happened if you weren’t so bent on getting the best, most sensational story, Sparkly,” shouted Lil.
“Yeah,” added Pixie. “Your ruthless, greedy ambition has ruined Christmas!”
“What in the name of peppermint happened here?” Santa’s booming voice echoed in the cold air.
Santa and Mrs. Claus stood at the workshop entrance, their expressions shifting from shock to heartbreak as they took in the scene before them. Broken toys, scattered decorations, and the once-warm workshop now stood in ruins.
Santa’s eyes narrowed as he addressed Sparkly, “What role did you play in this?”
Sparkly stammered, “I—I just wanted to write a story.”
Mrs. Claus, her eyes glistening with disappointment, spoke with a mixture of sadness and anger, “You’ve not only destroyed the workshop, but they took almost all of the cookies I made for Santa and the elves. How could you, Sparkly?”
Realizing the gravity of her actions, Sparkly’s bravado crumbled. “I didn’t mean for it to go this far. I—”
Santa held up his hand, silencing her. “Enough. We need to assess the damage and figure out how to salvage what’s left of Christmas.”
Head bowed, Sparkly Sprinkles stood in the midst of what was left of Santa’s Workshop. The look of disappointment on the big guy’s face was worse than she could have imagined. She knew she often got a bit carried away with her pursuit of a story, but even she was surprised at just how bad her antics had gone.
“Santa, Sir,” she began. “I am so, so very sorry for…all of this.” She gestured at the destruction of the toyshop.
“While I appreciate your apology, Sparkly, I don’t see how it will help us in our current situation. Christmas Eve is in two days and all of the toys are…well, ruined.”
“Yes, sir.” Sparkly scowled, his words chafing at her already wounded pride.
“What are we going to do, Santa?” asked Nim.
“There’s no way we can make all the toys again in time,” said Pixie with a sniffle.
“It took all year to get every toy just right,” added Lil. “And we only have two days until Christmas Eve.”
Figgy hung his head.
“Wait,” said Sparkly. “I think I may know a guy.”
Eager to salvage something out of the destruction she had caused, Sparkly told them all about Tinker Toy Town and the old hermit who lived there.
“He’s lonely,” she said. “I think if we were to reason with him and tell him of our predicament, we could convince him to help us.”
“And you think he has enough toys and gifts for all the world’s children?”
“Oh yes,” said Sparkly. “I’m positive he has enough.”
a pinch of homestead 