I dedicate this book to Peter Dyring-Olsen – a teacher, a friend and confidant – without who’s help and unwavering support, I would not be here. - Ari H. G. Yates
Stubby Saves Christmas! © Ari H. G. Yates, 2019 Written and illustrated by: Ari H. G. Yates Layout and design: Ari H. G. Yates Consultant and mentor: Cecil Castellucci Printing: Digisource, Denmark. This is a bachelor project from Graphic Storytelling, The Animation Workshop, VIA University. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher and author.
2019
Welcome to the Yule Cave.... or the Christmas Cave, as some might say. It’s located in Iceland, a strange and mystical land full of elves, trolls, dwarfs, giants and other strange and awesome beings. This cave is home to a rather horrifying troll named Gryla and her layabout husband, Leppaludi. The trolls in Iceland are not green and small, but gigantic and hot tempered... “But why is it called the Yule Cave, then?” I can hear you say. Well if you stop interrupting me, maybe I’ll tell you. Sheesh! You see, Gryla has a somewhat unusual living situation, at least by modern standards. She has 13 sons living at home with her.
Now you might think “Hey, what’s so unusual about that? I live at home with my parents and I certainly wouldn’t mind having 12 brothers hanging around”, and yes, that is flawless logic on your part, well done. However, these particular boys have grey hair and beards and they are hundreds of years old. You might say they’re “late bloomers”.
Gryla’s sons are pretty ordinary as far as hundreds-of-years-oldtroll-men go; they play, they fight, they go on adventures. However, once a year, at Christmas time to be exact, they go down from their mountain, one by one, into the towns where humans live and they sneak presents into children’s shoes. Now you might be thinking to yourself “Hey, that’s pretty weird behavior! Why would they do that?” Well... stop being so judgy... what are you, perfect? But maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves, let me introduce you to all the Yule Lads. There’s...
...Peg-leg
Gully Gawk
Stubby
ker Spoon Lic
Pot Scraper
Door Slammer
Skyr Gobbler Bowl Licker
Sausage Swiper
Window Peeper
and Candle Muncher
Meat Hook
Doorway Sniffer
Anyway, the 13 gift-giving brothers are beloved by all the children of Iceland, and that’s why their cave is called the Yule Cave. ...See, I told you it would all make sense in the end, didn’t I? And as long as you don’t ask any more probing questions, it does! Let’s get on with the story, shall we? It was the 14th of December. Peg Leg and Gully Gawk have already gone to town and tomorrow it’s Stubby’s turn. But Stubby is not happy about it at all...
...see, I told you.
s. Gifts in I’m not going to do it any more! The whole thing stink appreciate it! shoes? Who even thought of that? The kids don’t even
Don’t question our traditions, little man.
Muhu Muhu I agwee!
Admit it, you all just see me as a big joke, don’t you?
No not at all! I’d say we see you as more of a ...tiny joke! Hahahaha!
That’s it! I’ve had enough of this! None of you appreciate me! I have better thing to do! Sit down, pipsqueak! I mean it! I’m leaving! I’m out! I’m going to do what I want to do, from now on! Good luck, jerk-faces! Have a nice life! Stubby stormed off into the icy landscape, intending never to return. As you can see, Stubby was one angry little Yule Lad!
Stubby was so angry the ice melted from under his feet as he walked along.
Suddenly he saw something up ahead!
A strange looking man was standing in the snow in front of him.
Hello there!
Who are you, Good sir?
Who am I? This is my mountain, sir. Who are you?
Ho-ho-ho! Don’t you recognize me? I’m Santa Claus!
No, I don’t. Santa Claus? That’s a weird name. Where are you from, anyway?
I’m from the North Pole, of course! I give presents to the children of the world!
Pffff! You too?? What’s so great about giving gifts to kids anyway?
Oh, bringing smiles to the faces of children is the greatest thing in the world, Stubby... Uh... Wait, who else gives gifts to children?
Why, the Yule Lads of course!
Uuuu... Yule Lads?
You haven’t heard of the Yule Lads?
Stubby had never met anyone who didn’t know the Yule Lads... after all they’re a national sensation, in Iceland. He saw an opportunity to change his persona... which is a fancy way of saying he realized he could lie to Santa about who he was.
Well, the Yule Lads are just a bunch of silly old men who run around in silly little hats giving gifts to children.
Well, they sound lovely, Stubby! Maybe I should meet these fine men!
Yeah, I’m sure you would get along famously... especially if you like stupid dumb jerks! By the way, what are you doing on this mountain, anyway? Don’t you know it’s dangerous up here?
Oh, Stubby, it’s a terrible Story of Woe!
Santa can be a bit dramatic sometimes. But don’t judge! You can’t expect a man who does that for a living to be undramatic, now can you?
I was testing my new navigation system when my high-powered jet-engine
power-boosters malfunctioned. My sleigh crashed into the mountain and now it’s wrecked!
I simply must get back to the North Pole as soon as possible, otherwise my workshop at the North Pole will shut down and Christmas will be ruined! I could really use your help Stubby, will you help me? Please?
Stubby: Ah I’m afraid not ... Steve, was it? I have some big plans today and I can’t afford to be dragged into this silly mess.
Now you might be thinking that Stubby was being awfully harsh there. But remember, he was still very upset and angry at all things Christmas. He wanted to create a new life for himself. So Stubby stormed off again, intending never to return, but when he got over the next hill, he saw the full scale of poor Santa’s troubles.
1. Broken runner
3. Broken harness
2. Rudolph’s leg broke
4. Busted engines
Stubby’s conscience started pinching him annoyingly in his stomach. He reluctantly returned to Santa.
Oh Stubby... am I glad to see you again!
Hey Santa... ...maybe I know this one guy who might be able to help. He’s kind of a genius about knowing what to do about stuff... and stuff.
Really? Well... Thank, you Stubby... I really appreciate your help. I’m adding your name to the Nice list! Settle down there, Joseph, or whatever your name is. Let’s not get all mushy here, I’m just taking you to see a guy, then I’m leaving, alright?
So Stubby, you said they put the gifts in the children’s shoes?
Yeah, why? But why? Won’t the kids just step on them?
You know, for a
Christmas guy you
sure don’t know much about Christmas. The shoes are put in the
window, no one steps on their presents... that’s just silly.
Oh I see! In the
window. How quaint!
Quaint is a fancy word for strange but cute.
Where do YOU put YOUR presents anyway?
Why, down the chimney, of course.
Down the chimney? So the kids get a broken rubble of trash stuck in their fireplace? Wow, that sounds great!
Ha-ha! No Stubby, I go down the chimney and put the presents under the tree!
YOU go down the chimney? Yes I do, Stubby, I do.
Now that I’d like to see!
Hey, what’s that?
Oh, We’re here! This is King Dirtbull’s Cave.
Did you say King... Dirt...bull?
Welcome, welcome! Come in, weary travelers! Come sit down! Have some refreshments!
What did you say King Dirtbull was again?
Silly red man! Are you blind? I’m a Dirtbull! How much more obvious could it get?
Who are you supposed to be anyway? Some kind of Christmas ball?
This is Santa Claus, King Dirtbull. He crash-landed on my mountain and he needs some help to get going again!
Well, why didn’t you say so, Stubby? Any friend of yours is a frie nd of mine!
Ah, we’re not friends, I’m just helping him get his sleigh moving again. Well, that sure sounds friendly to me... but what do I know? Say, Stubby, shouldn’t you be getting ready to go down town? It’s tomorrow isn’t it?
Never mind that! Dirtbull, we need to get going! Oh, I think I have just the thing... now where did I put that darn thing?
A-ha! Here it is, the Story Stone!
What is it?
So You’re deaf too? I just told you it’s a Story Stone!
What does it do?
Great Question, Stubby!
If you place this Stone inside your ear it will tell you what you need to do. But it will only tell you the next step, never the whole journey. You must not question the Stone! You must follow its instructions to a T! Otherwise you may regret it!
Well, that sounds simple enough.
I can’t hear anything. It’s not working! What? Give me that thing.... It’s talking to me.
Really? What’s it saying?
It’s saying that I need to take you to the next step of your journey.
Will you? I really have to get back to...
Stubby tried to think of a good reason to not to help Santa. After all he wanted to go live his dreams. But something deep inside of him told him that he should help Santa.
Oh, but please, Stubby, I beg you! My fate is in YOUR hands. Think of the children!
I don’t care about the children. Well I do, Stubby, I care a whole lot. I’m too small to be any use anyway. What am I supposed to do?
All I know is that the Stone is talking to you. It’s telling you what you must do. The Stone trusts you. I’m going to trust you.
Stubby didn’t know what to do. He wasn’t used to people trusting him and relying on him.
Bah! Alright! Sheesh! I’ll take you to the next place ...but that’s it! After that I’m leaving!
Alright, you little thing, you... where do we go?
Stubby and Santa followed the instructions of the Story-stone and it led them to a huge cave. Stubby knew this cave well and he knew who lived there. He was getting more than a little bit nervous.
Are you crazy? I can’t do that! Santa, it’s telling me I have to steal a booger from a troll! Those guys are dangerous!
I think we should do what the stone says, Stubby. King Dirt-bull warned us that
something terrible could happen if we don’t.
This is insane, Santa! I can’t do this! These guys are huge and I’m... ...sma ll! well I’m
You’re the only one But don’t you see, Stubby? around like you . You who CAN do it! I can’t sneak e in you ! can do this, Stubby! I believ
What is it saying now? Oh no, not them! What is it?? It’s telling me we have to go to the elves!
Elves? Those cute little guys?
I have hundreds of Elves at the North Pole, they help make the presents. What’s so scary about them?
I don’t know how it works with you and your minions back at the North Pole, but around here Yule-men take care of their own presents and elves are super dangerous and treacherous creatures.
Remember, you can’t enter without being invited and you can’t take anything out of there without leaving something of equal or greater value behind. It’s very important!
Why not? I didn’t make up the rules! Anyway Shhh! Someone’s coming!
Uhh yes? Can I help you? Say ... what’s going on in here?
None of your business! Get out of here!
in Are you putting on a show both here? Oh, because we are very experienced in musical theater! And this seem like tting an amazing show you’re pu on here, I mean really groundbreaking stuff! Oh really?! ... Oh Yes, I should
have guessed by your flamboyant outfits! Please, come in, come in.
Why did you tell them that, Stubby? I don’t know anything about musical theater.
Because these guys love flattery. And I needed her to invite us in, remember? Just follow my lead!
Soooo… what do you think?
Ah well you know…. I do like this dress and the set designs are just divine, but I can’t help but feel that something is missing. In my expert opinion what you need is a really big crystal bowl on his head, right here
Oh, but those are all the way down in the bottom of the drawer.
Well, if you don’t care about the show then we’ll just leave NO! No, p-please…. I-I’ll get the bowl. You just sit tight, I’ll be right back.
What are we supposed to get in here, Stubby?
It’s telling me we have to get the dress off the sheep, Santa
This is getting ridiculous
Hey what are you doing? STOP THAT!
Never mind that! This is our chance, grab the dress!
se! It , you fools! It’s the elven cur That dress is useless to you for it. ething you love in exchange only works if you give up som
Let go of the hat, Stubby!
NO! It’s my lucky Yule hat… I’ve had it my whole life! I can’t let it go! I can’t!
AAAHH!! ...ALRIGHT!!
Stubby had never sacrificed himself in such a way for anyone. It was a conflicting feeling for him.
I know that can’t have been easy for you, Stubby. You sacrificed your lucky Yule Lad hat to save us.
Bah, I don’t care at all about that, it’s just a stupid hat. Who would care about a stupid thing like that?
Well, I can tell you that I care a great deal about my Christmas hat, Stubby. Mrs. Claus made it for me. Who gave you your Yule hat?
as, I told you I don’t like Christm t tha ut and I don’t care abo e. stupid hat! It’s all a big jok
Quit what, Stubby?
...being a Yule Lad?
I’m just a big joke ... or a tiny one to be more exact. And h! that’s why I quit to begin wit
Oh, shut up with that nonsense!
Wait... the Stone... it’s talking again.
What’s it saying, Stubby?!
! Oh no... NO NO NO NO... NO There is no way. NEVER! What is it, Stubby??
It’s insane, Santa... I mean, not like the others... this is suicide! If we go there, we will die!
Go where??
THERE!
But Stubby, look what we’ve managed to do so far! It’s been absolutely amazing! I’ve never seen anything like it.
Stop it! You can’t fool me, you know! You’re exaggerating... to get me to help you! Well it stops now! I’ve had enough of this!
Stubby, I know you think you’re too small and you can’t do things or be important... but I am not exaggerating... you really have surprised me with your bravery, your skill, your intellect and your determination.
Stubby felt a warm, fuzzy feeling in his heart when he heard Santa’s words... he had never heard such kind words before... and what’s more, he knew Santa meant what he said. Unfortunately, the warm fuzzy feeling was overshadowed by absolute terror.
You don’t understand! You’re not from here! That’s Hekla. They say it’s the entrance to hell! No one goes there, no-one, not the trolls, not the elves, the giants, the ravens, not even my mother goes there... and she used to eat children for lunch! A terrifying dragon lives in there, and no one who has seen it has ever come back to tell about it! Not a single soul has lived!
But Stubby...
But nothing! I’m not going and that’s final!
You know Stubby, I might not be the smartest Santa in the Universe, but I know what I have to do, and that is to fix my sleigh so I can save Christmas.
You’ve got me this far and I trust you as much as anyone I’ve ever met. Perhaps you should start trusting yourself too. I don’t know what it is that you’re running from...
at until yo u stop ...but I do know th u ver find peace. Yo ru nn ing yo u wi ll ne yo u wa nt and ta ke m ust decide what yo u it. What is it that responsibility for at is it really? wa nt, Stubby... wh
nk you Very well, Stubby, I will. I tha ’ve been for helping me this far. You d friend. a brave Yule Lad and a goo
I want you to leave me alone.
I TOLD YOU I’M NOT A...
Santa?
Santa?
He’s crazy! He’ll.... he’ll die out there. Ahhh, what do I care? I’m out of this business anyway! It’s not my fault some dummy crashes in my back yard. Stupid Story Stone and stupid boogers from trolls and sheep in dresses! What a big joke! I can’t wait to hear what my brothers will say about this, they’ll have a right good laugh at my expense! And what’s with that red suit anyway? Such a stupid way to dress! Although, I guess he’s not ALL bad... he did treat me with some respect... unlike some people I know... I might even say it was a bit of fun.... I did feel useful for a change... Even had some confidence... and I did things today I never dreamed I could do.... I suppose maybe it did have something to do with that silly old Santa Claus... he did make me feel better about myself...” You might even say he was...
...my best friend.
Oh no! What have I done?! I let him go out there alone! What can I do now?
Run
What?
RUUUUN!!!
Santa!
Stubby?? You came back? ...Why?
I came back to save you! d. Santa, you’re my best frien
I know what I want to do now, Santa, what have to do ...I must save Christmas!
no. Stubby and Santa found their way into Hekla, the volca death! And not a moment too soon, Santa was frozen half to
It’s through there, Santa.
I w-won’t f-fit through there, Stubby.
I know, Santa... I’ll go alone.
But Stubby... It’s OK, Santa. It’s my mission, I know what I have to do. Give me the stuff.
Hey look, Santa! The snot is starting to glow!
Oh my, you’re right! And look at the dress, it’s going invisible! This must be why the stone told us to get this stuff. ... Stubby, I think you should put the dress on.
WHAT? NO way! I’m not doing that!
OK, Santa, I’m through! Oh no! I dropped the Story Stone. What should I do, Santa, I have no idea where to go!
Use your size and your brilliant mind, use your quickness. You can do it Stubby. I believe in you!
...Crazy!
Look at that thing, it’s gigantic! I can’t do this!
I’m too little for this kind of stuff. If only I was as tall as Gully Gawk. And I’m not brave, Door Slammer is the brave one! And if only I was as strong as Meat Hook, this would be a breeze. I’m just a useless little Yule Lad... no one needs me.
I wonder what Santa would say. He’s probably say something really lame like “I need you, Stubby, I think you’re great just the way you are”. He’s so silly, that Santa Claus.
Although... I suppose he does know a thing or two. And I suppose this has been the greatest adventure I’ve ever been on. I’ve even been a little bit brave... now that I think about it. Maybe my height isn’t such a bad thing?
Oh, but I still have to figure out how to deal with this dragon. I’m sure I should get something of it.
But what?
o l p s
! k in
Hey, is that Stubby and a some fat guy in a red suit riding a sheep down a mountain with a big Dragon following them?
I believe it is Sausage Swiper, my good lad, I believe it is.
Everybody get ready! Stubby needs our help!
Yaaaaay!! You did it, Stubby! You defeated the dragon! Hey everybody, let’s hear it for Stubby, the bravest Yule Lad in the whole world!!
All right, settle down everybody. Listen up! This here is Santa Claus, he’s a Yule Man from the North Pole and he need our help! Now! If he doesn’t get back to his workshop Christmas will be ruined for millions of children all across the world!
You heard him, fellas! This Yule Man needs us! Tell us what to do, Stubby!
These were words that Stubby had never before heard from his brothers. If he would have had the time he surely would have enjoyed it more, savored it like a piece of candy in his mouth, but on this occasion Stubby simply got to the task at hand. He was determined to save Santa’s sleigh and get him on his way.
As you can see, Santa’s sleigh is broken, and all we have is these three things: An elven dress, this weird birdy-looking hat and a bit of troll-snot.
I believe I may have the answer!
Please, tell us, Window-Peeper!
Any piece of Elven clothing would be pretty much unbreakable. And I see that your harness is broken. I suggest we use that.
And the snot?
Troll snot, as I’m sure you’re all aware, glows in the dark
Ehhh yeah, of course, who doesn’t know that?
Yes, yes, of course, but it is also know to be an excellent adhesive. Ehemm, adhesive is a fancy word for glue, Meat Hook, my dear lad.
All right, you heard him, fellas, get to it! Let’s get Santa on his way! Hey wait, what about the hat?”
This might be the magical feather-guise of the goddess Freyja! It hasn’t been seen for hundreds of years. I
believe it provides the whomever wears it with the
power of flight. But which beast would wear it I wonder?
I think I might know of one!
Oh no! It’s dark already! Without
Rudolphs glowing nose we won’t
be able to see where we’re going!
I just got an idea!
help. Well, Stubby, I suppose this is it. Thank you for all your being useful. Thank you Santa, for showing me that I’m capable of
You may be short, Stubby, but you have a bigger heart than any man I’ve ever met. Remember that, will you? You have always been capable of doing great things, Stubby. You’re a very intelligent Yule Lad, and brave and strong, but those things don’t count for anything unless you feel it for yourself.
I understand that now. I want to give you my Santa-hat Stubby. It’s very special to me, and I would like you to have it. Thank you Santa! Goodbye. Good bye Stubby.
Does that mean you’re staying, Stubby?
Yes, Mother, I’m staying... I think this whole Yule Lad thing is growing on me again.
Well good, then it’s time for bed! You have to get up before sunrise and there’s no time to lose! Come on, get!
Eeesh! We’ve all been there am I right? What do you say we end the story right here? Seems like a logical place, everything is back in order, so to speak. So we agree, fantastic! I knew you would be a good listener, let’s wrap it up!
Well, as you can see, Stubby found his confidence. His brothers asked him to tell the tale of that day a thousand times, and then a thousand more. Stubby went to town the next day and gave presents to all the children of Iceland, and he enjoyed every minute of it! As for Santa, well, he managed to get back to his workshop just before those little elves of his made a mess of everything, and he too delivered all his presents to the children of the world.
People still talk of that one year, that Santa flew his sleigh and seemed to have an awfully strange looking reindeer at the head. But you and I will keep his secret, won’t we? I mean, I won’t, but you will, right? Right?
Did you know there are 13 Santa Clauses in Iceland, called the Yule-lads? Well there totally are! My story is about one of them, called Stubby. Stubby is rather, well ...stubby. Duh! And he’s not too happy about it. In fact, he’s so unhappy about it that he has decided to stop being a Yule lad all together! That is, until he sees that THE Santa Claus has crash-landed right on the side of his mountain, in Iceland. Santa desperately needs help to get back to the North Pole and Stubby very reluctantly steps up to the challenge. They go on a big adventure to find ways to fix Santa’s sleigh. They meet trolls with giant boogers, weirdo Elves and a big fat dragon! Will they manage to save Christmas? I don’t know, you’ll just have to read the book. About the author: Ari H. G. Yates is an Icelandic illustrator, writer and graphic designer. Ari’s main area of interest is children’s books (which you can find on his website), but he also thoroughly enjoys doing commissions for varied customers/clients on any number of subjects. “For heavens sake, let us not forget to be silly!” - Ari Hlynur Guðmundsson Yates