CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK...
“We give up, Nana. How does he get in if he can't come in through the windows or doors?” they asked in unison.
Nana removed the golden brown cookies from the oven and sat them on the counter to cool. Nicholas and Holly were anxious to start decorating but Nana was already to recite the story of “Santa's Magical Key.”
“Well,” Nana whispered, “One day many eons ago, I think it was about a week before Christmas . . .”
Santa was pacing back and forth in the toy workshop, muttering to himself.
“What's the matter, Santa?” Ailfrid*, the head elf of North Pole Village, inquired.
“We are in big trouble, Ailfrid,” Santa said, stroking his beard thoughtfully. “When I was but a wee lad, learning the business on my father's knee, everyone was so innocent and trusting. My father told me getting the toys under the tree for the children to open first thing Christmas morning was not a problem. Now everyone locks their windows and doors and I can't use the chimney. I might get burned. How am I going to get into all the homes this year?”
This is definitely not a problem his father had ever encountered Santa thought as he commenced his pacing, nearly wearing all the polish off the wood floor of the workshop.
After much thought, Ailfrid spoke up. “I have an idea! Let's go see Elric, the wise old elf who lives on the far edge of town. He was your father's chief elf ruler before you were even born. He has been here longer than any elf in North Pole Village. He will know just what to do.”
Bright and early the next morning, before anyone else in the small village were up, Santa and Ailfrid quietly hitched up two of Santa's newest reindeer-in-training, Mistletoe and Blizzard, to the sleigh Santa always uses for short trips around the North Pole. Since they were still learning how to take off and land, they were only allowed to fly Santa near North Pole Village. Santa and Ailfrid settled into the comfortable sleigh, covered their laps with a large wool blanket, and set off for Elric's cottage. It was located on the far edge of the village. The cottage sat near the edge of a large pond, nestled amongst a stand of hardy evergreens.
They arrived in the blink of an eye. Santa was pleased with the reindeer's progress. “Mistletoe and Blizzard are getting very good at flying,” Santa said. “By next Christmas Eve, they may have their landing and takeoffs down well enough to join the other reindeer.”
Santa and Ailfrid climbed down out of the sleigh, tied the reindeer to the nearest evergreen, making sure Mistletoe and Blizzard had plenty of water, and headed for the Elric's front door.
Ailfrid rapped on the door.
“Who's there?” Elric called out.
“It's me, Ailfrid,” the head elf replied, “and I brought Santa with me.”
“Come in,” Elric said. “My door is always open.”
“You see,” Nana continued her story, “in North Pole Village, locks were unheard of, so most elves were unfamiliar with them. Only Santa, Ailfrid, and, of course, Elric, the wise old elf, who was the elder of North Pole Village, were aware of such things.”
“Have a seat,” he invited, indicating chairs for Santa and Ailfrid to sit in.“How may I help you?” Elric asked.
“Well,” Santa spoke first,“I'm having a bit of a problem this year. You see, folks aren't as trusting in the rest of the world as they are here at North Pole Village.”
Santa stood up and began pacing. “I'm sad that folks lock their doors and windows now. Also, they keep a fire in their fireplaces, which poses another problem. How am I going to get in to deliver all the fine toys the elves have worked so hard on all year long if I can't get into the houses?”
“A problem, indeed,” Elric answered. “Yes, a big problem but not one we can't solve with some thought.”
Santa sat back down and waited for the wise old elf to speak again. He and Ailfrid were on the edge of their seats.
“When I was but a small elf, several eons ago, my grandfather was the Shaman of North Pole Village. When I reached the age of 200, he finally shared a secret with me he had hoped would never have to be used,” Elric said
Ḣe slowly rose from his rocking chair and retrieved a wooden box from behind a secret door next to the fireplace mantel. It was intricately designed with carved images of Santa of old, and his many elves happily toiling away in the toy workshop.
Santa and Ailfrid held their breath in anticipation as Elric slowly opened the box with gnarled hands that had made many toys when he was younger. Now his job was to counsel the younger elves and guide them in the right direction.
Inside the box was an unusual key.
“A key?” Ailfrid asked, confused.
“Yes, a key,” Elric replied,“But this is not just any key. This is a Magical Key. This key will open any door, anywhere in the world.” Handing the box to Santa, he cautioned, “Make sure you never let it out of your sight.”
“I will guard it closely,” Santa promised as he gazed down at the Magical Key in awe.
“Just remember,” Elric admonished, “You must make sure that anyone who holds the key guards it well. If it were to fall into the wrong hands, well. I wouldn't want to think of what might happen.”
... TO BE CONTINUED