The North Pole air sparkled with frost and the smell of cocoa and cookies floated through the air. Christmas had finally come! Nim, one of Santa’s top Mischief Makers, was rosy-cheeked and ready, He’d been busy all year planning out the mischief and mayhem for each day in December and buzzed with excitement to see his assigned kids again.
Normally, Nim was the only elf assigned to watch Joe and Jake, and report to Santa on naughty and nice behavior. But this year, Santa had a surprise for Nim. Lil’ Lil, another Mischief Maker from the beta group, was to fly with him to the house.
“But why is she coming?” Nim asked as he and Santa scarfed a couple dozen of Mrs. Claus’ sugar cookies. Nim couldn’t help but worry that he wasn’t doing a good enough job of watching the boys on his own.
“She belongs to Bella and Cheyenne, Nim. You two will have fun planning all kinds of mischief together! Ho, ho, ho!” Santa chortled.
Nim smiled, letting out an excited sigh of relief. Of course! He had forgotten that the boys’ two cousins would be at the house too. Giving Santa a final salute, Nim flew off to meet up with his new partner.
Nim and Lil’ Lil met at the North Pole Launch Pad. Nim had a bag strapped to his back…a sticky surprise for the kids nestled inside.
“Hi,” Lil said, voice full of cheer. “You probably don’t remember me, but…”
Nim bounced on his toes. “Of course I remember you, Lil! It hasn’t been that long. Now, let’s go!”
Without waiting to see if she followed, Nim sped off into the night.
a pinch of homestead 