www.brainerddispatch.com
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
More than 100 stories were submitted this year for the Brainerd Dispatch’s annual Stories of Christmas contest. On the following pages, you’ll find the winners in the three categories: Kids, Teens and Adults. Weather drawings submit submitted by local elementary school children are being used as accent pictures to go along with the winning stories. Thanks to all who took the time to submit their stories. Enjoy reading and Merry Christmas!
• Illustration by Julia Wheeler, third grade, Nisswa School
l
st kids
• Illustration by Ella Dircks & Hailey Badger, third grade, Harrison School
On Dec. 24, Santa Claus woke up with
“We may not be able to deliver pres-
a terrible terrible cough. “How am I
ents this year!” Santa said. “I have a ter ter-
supposed to deliver presents coughing?
rible cough. I will wake up every child.
I’d wake up every child! Well, I can’t
If only there was someone small and
just stand here thinking about it,” Santa
quiet to do the job,” Santa said.
thought. “I’ll think about it
”Santa Claus,” a little qui-
By EMILY BASTIAN Age 9, Baxter
as I work.”
et elf named Joey said, “I can
He went downstairs and
do it. I’ll deliver the presents
then coughed, made breakfast and then coughed, ate and he coughed, checked on the reindeer and then coughed,
for you.” “Uhh, OK,” replied Santa hesitantly. So that night when the children of the
coughed, coughed! “How am I going to deliver the presents? I can’t even say ‘ho ho ho’ without coughcough ing!” Santa said to himself on his way to the workshop. When he entered the workwork shop he started to say
world went to sleep, Joey got in Santa’s big red sleigh and took off. He silently went from house to house delivering presents. When he pulled himself out of the last chimney he got in the sleigh and
hello everybody ...
flew off. It took a while because the last
but stopped and
house was near the South Pole. When
coughed.
he finally got back everyone cheered.
one
Every-
looked
Santa.
at
“Joey,” Santa said, “you saved Christmas!”
2
nd kids
The day was Dec. 24 and Santa
By BRAXTON FISCH Age 9, Baxter
was finishing up loading his sleigh with the presents that he has for all
the good boys and girls. He has his list and has checked it more than twice! But
As the elves were just settling
situation and with no, well, not too much
down after another successful year
grumbling, the elves sprang into action and
of toy building and elfing around
for hours worked so very hard to make sure
the Santa-com once again got their attention. Santa explained the
Santa kept his schedule. They did it! It was done! Another elf-tastic
something didn’t seem right.
job! Santa was so thankful he
As he went to park his sleigh so
gave each elf a treat of their
it was ready for take off, he quickly
choice and then invited them
knew what it was that didn’t seem so
to come with him on his sa sa-
right. The skis on his sleigh were out
cred adventure.
of alignment. Most likely happened
So they all went with and
when he came in too hot from a
had the experience of a life life-
landing after a night of delivering
time and they even were able
gifts last year. This was a problem!
to catch a glimpse of some
If he didn’t get this fixed fast he will
children taking a peek and the
not be able to make accurate landland
expressions on their faces made
ings on the rooftops. He had to act
the elves take more pride in the
soon as the adventure grew closclos
work they did for evermore.
er by the second. He needed help • Illustration by Rachel Moore, fourth grade, Lowell Elementary School
and fast! Who other than to call but those who have been there every year — the elves. • Christmas Tree Illustration (top of page) by Ryu Helmer, first grade, St. Francis School