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Santa’sFirst Magical

Rideby Paul S. Carr III

illustrated by Herb Leonhard

A Christmas Tale

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Santa’s FirstMagical Ride

by Paul S. Carr IIIillustrated by Herb Leonhard

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Dedication

To my wife Libby –

Thank you for bringing the true meaning of love to my heart.

With you, Christmas is every day.

Without you, this work would not exist.

A Message to Adults:

This book is most conveniently read by nestling a small child in

whichever arm you don’t use for page turning, and is entirely in rhyme.

It was written in twelve chapters for the convenience of smaller attention

spans, and for those who follow the twelve days of Christmas traditions.

May the spirit of Christmas live each day in your hearts.

More about the book:www.yulestory.com

Book Publishers NetworkP. O. Box 2256

Bothell, WA 98041425 483-3040

www.bookpublishersnetwork.com

Text © 2012 by Paul S. Carr III Illustrations © 2011 by Herb Leonhard

First soft cover edition 2012

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical,

photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher and the author.

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ISBN: 978-1-935359-91-3 (Hard cover)ISBN: 978-1-937454-62-3 (Soft cover)

LCCN: 2011910842

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Introduction

The Universe Is Big!

The Universe is more than Space. In fact, it’s bigger than any place

than you will ever see or know--it’s up above and down below.

It circles ‘round and ‘round about and tumbles in and bumbles out

and it contains all sorts of things; hobby horses, giant rings

and many beings large and small, and some that we can’t see at all!

And there are lots of planets, too, more than monkeys in a zoo.

Planets, if you count them all, and start when you are very small,

no matter just how old you get, you’ll never find them all…and yet

we tell right now of only two, and one I know you know, you do!

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That one, of course, is Planet Earth. It is the planet of your birth.

I was born on this world too, and Uncle Louie, Sister Sue,

your Mom and Dad, the kids next door, and many, many millions more.

But just for now, let’s talk of one--who came from far beyond the sun...

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Chapter 1

A Planet Called Yule

Far off beyond the land of night, farther than the farthest light

that we can see from this green earth is the land of Santa’s birth.

He wasn’t born as Santa Claus; he only got that name because...

well, if you listen carefully, you’ll know the answer, wait and see.

He comes from quite a magic place; a land called Yule, far off in space.

Yule lies across a great divide where wizards sing and horses ride

upon the stardust billowing from Father Time’s unending spring.

And dancing in that dusty light there lies a world so shining bright

that Mother Space has called this jewel her greatest gift--the Planet Yule.

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You see on Yule there’s only Love; Love below and Love above.

Love exists in everything; it makes fish swim and bluebirds sing.

And people there are happy too. They look a lot like me and you,

except they smile a whole lot more. No one is sad, no one is poor.

Because they all have learned to share; it’s easy since they really care

about each other, one and all—the biggest big, the smallest small.

And they have magic powers too; they close their eyes and see right through

a billion miles of empty space; Yule minds can travel anyplace.

So one fine day, much to their mirth, their minds popped up on Planet Earth.

Their mirth was due to seeing there, people with the eyes and hair

and hands of those who live on Yule; like looking in a crystal pool.

But to their wonder and dismay they found this world in disarray--

The Earth had Humans, also Elves; but they fought among themselves.

The folks of Yule let out a groan; they didn’t want to stay alone,

but no one opens up a door so people can bring in a war.

So some on Yule set out to find just what it was that lay behind

the conflict on that distant ground. Listen, now, to what they found:

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Chapter 2

What the Yulefolk Saw

Although the distances are vast, and even rockets going fast

would take some years to leap between the snow of Yule and Earthly green,

A thought does not take any time. You can as quick a mountain climb

as you can blink a single eye, when you first teach your thoughts to fly.

And those on Yule have practiced long—it’s said that when one sings a song

another Yule across the sea will sing in perfect harmony.

They listened once, then listened more, they wanted to be very sure

that they were getting it just right; it sounded sadly like a fight.

The Yule did with their magic see, and listen telepathically.

And here reporting with the mind, this is what the Yule did find:

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There is a world of precious worth, much like ours, though it’s called Earth.

On Earth exists those like ourselves, and some are Human, some are Elves.

They think that each is different there, though each has arms and legs and hair.

But there’s one difference, it is true; the Elves have magic, as we do.

The Humans said of magic powers, “We’ll kill the Elves, it will be ours.”

The Elves don’t kill, out of love, so they’ve been forced to move above

the highest place where Humans go, a place of cold and ice and snow.

The Humans now have magic not, but Elves are in a harder spot.

Without their love Elves cannot live, and these have lost the will to give.

Elves love each other, it is true, but they must give to Humans too.

It is their nature, but they fear to have a Human come too near.

If Elves live only in the snow, their will to live in time will go.

If they should perish, understand, there’ll be no magic in that land.

This report caused great alarm; Yule knew the Elves would suffer harm,

and so would Humans, Yule folk knew, but what to do? What to do?

The pondering went on in Yule, and there were those who thought it cruel

the Elven leader back on Earth thought so little of the worth

of Humans that he took his band of Elves into a frozen land.

But Humans were the ones who said that magic in the world was dead.

They brought this problem on themselves by thinking magic and the Elves

were not as one and all the same; the Humans chiefly were to blame.

So at the North Pole Elves would stay; their magic kept them warm all day

and through the nighttime weather too. An Elf can run without a shoe

through icy ice and snowy snow, and never have a frozen toe.

Elves don’t need to dress up warm; they’re safe from any kind of storm.

They don’t need hat or coat or glove, but Elves can die from lack of love.

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So though the Elf King had decreed that Elves did not the Humans need,

it wasn’t so, it couldn’t be--no one can banish love, you see.

Love can cry out with a shout or silently, but there’s no doubt

that Angels hear a loving call, and Angels love the most of all.

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Chapter 3

An Angel Watches Too

Far above both Earth and Yule, beyond where any mortals rule

and beyond where words can tell, it is there the Angels dwell.

The Angels love to do good deeds, and often work by spreading seeds

of kindness, love and charity; they work through children frequently.

The children have a favorite one; she brings them special joy and fun.

She listens for their every breath; she calls herself Elisabeth.

Elisabeth had heard the tears of little ones with giant fears

that magic had all gone away; for magic is a part of play

of every child in every land—without it kids can’t understand

the world that Human grown-ups see; it makes no sense; it cannot be.

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No one knows why up is up, or why a dog remains a pup

for just a tiny, little while, or why an inch is not a mile.

Or lots and lots of other things, from water wings and water springs

to jumbo shrimp and extra small—it mostly makes no sense at all!

But magic makes some sense, you see—you can see magic if you’re three

or four or five years old or more, or even if you’re ninety-four!

Magic wands can make things right; magic rings make giants light

and dragons fly and songbirds sing. Magic lives in everything.

At least it did until the Elves left the Humans to themselves.

Then children saw the magic fade, and so they prayed and prayed and prayed.

They prayed in lots of different ways, in different tongues on different days.

But all those prayers were filled with love, and soared into the sky above

where they were heard, each quiet breath, by their good friend, Elisabeth.

And what they prayed was that there’d be some magic left that they could see.

Now all this made the Angel think: might there not be a way to link

the magic of the land of Yule with Humans, even though the rule

the Humans made about such fun had made old magic come undone.

And then her wings flap-flapped with glee; she had a plan, as you will see.

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Chapter 4

A Plan Is Born

Elisabeth had heard the pleas of children who, on bended knees,

had asked for help from many lands, with fervent hearts and folded hands.

These tiny ones had asked in prayer, “Can’t there just be some magic where

the grown-ups do not mind so much? Some small place where we can touch,

and maybe we could feel and see those things that we might someday be?”

The Angel knew the time had come to see that there was something done.

The Human children wanted back what their elders seemed to lack

and what the Yulefolk gave to share with Elves on Earth, already there.

So to the Yulefolk she did go. Much of Yule is ice and snow;

it’s cold and white and very bare, and like the North Pole everywhere.

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“Folk of Yule,” the Angel said, “I have a plan although you dread

what happened lately on the Earth, we can give magic a rebirth

and do the Elves a favor true—and do one for the Humans too!

“And you have been too much apart; you’d like someone to share your heart

across the emptiness of space—one world alone’s a lonely place.

“You look like Humans, you yourselves, even though you think like Elves,

and for that reason, don’t you see, you have a chance to help all three:

The Elves, the Humans, Yulefolk too--but here is what you have to do.”

The Angel told them they must give a child of Yule to Earth to live

among the Elves and show them how to give their Love in new ways now.

Elves would not accept on Earth a grown-up Yule, because Yule girth

To the Elves would seem so big; but let a tree grow from a twig

and day by day the Elves would know the Love of Yule, and watch it grow.

And although it was a trial, the Angel would protect the child.

The Elves should grow to love it, true, but then what would the Humans do?

But still, the folk of Yule agreed that they would send a child indeed

to Earth so it could be their gift; to do their part to heal the rift

Elisabeth had told them of; from Yule to Earth—a gift of Love.

To make this very special trip, they placed within a crystal ship

a little boy not very old, but wise beyond his years, we’re told.

He had great knowledge, truth to tell, because a wizard’s magic spell

had made him very, very smart. But more than that, he had a heart

the Angel blessed much more than once, to see him through the coming months

and years when he would have to live among those who had ceased to give

their love as they were born to do. So off into the void he flew—

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One tiny child through darkness hurled to remind the Elven world

and remind the Humans of the magic that exists in Love.

Can you imagine how it would be? To sail across a galaxy

within a tiny crystal ship, and you so young you’d think the trip

was longer than your life could be, but when you landed, you were three.

And less than that this child did look, although the journey maybe took

fourteen years, or forty-three, or maybe it was instantly!

But crystal ships are still just things. This child was held in Angel wings

as well as in a Yule-made craft, so as he sailed the comets laughed

and planets danced and suns shone out, and all the heavens spun about

this little child who, like a dove, flew within the heart of Love.

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Chapter 5

A Gift to the ElvesIt was a glorious, starry night; the snow shone with a luminous light

reflected from a million stars. They twinkled red like jelly jars

and yellow as a honey comb, and green and blue and orange they shone

upon the waves of fleecy snow, and on the village, far below.

A single Elf looked up, then down, and watched the lights within the town

and watched the cottage safe inside, where all his kindred did abide.

They laughed when Jingle said, “I hear...I hear a voice, it’s faint, but clear.”

“The only thing you hear out there,” they said, “is wolves, or it’s a bear;

a Polar Bear, all white, with teeth—it wants a little Elf to eat.”

“No,” Jingle said, “my magic ear tells me it’s not a thing to fear.

It is a child, I know...I know!” And off he went, through ice and snow.

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And so it was that Jingle found, within a snow bank, soft and round

a crystal cradle, on the lip of a ledge where it might slip

at any moment out of sight, lost forever on that night.

Tucked within this magic bed, a tiny child raised up his head

and stretched his arms, open wide, as if to say, “Take me inside

where it is warm and safe, oh please.” So Jingle got down on his knees

and took the child into his vest, where it could warm against his chest.

He also pulled the crystal ship behind him as he made the trip

back down the hill and to the town, where he gathered all around

and said, “Find quickly Elf King Kril—for I have brought a miracle.”

In less time than it takes to think how fast a Unicorn can blink

the Elf King came, the families too, and every Elf in town soon knew

about the child in Jingle’s lap. Some thought it was a Human trap—

“They’ll say we kidnapped it,” some said. Others thought ‘twas left for dead.

But most agreed with Jingle’s plea—”It’s just a miracle, you see.”

And miracles, the Elven say, is just the Universe’s way

of making magic, only more—it’s magic on a giant score.

The King harrumphed, he pondered too; in truth, Kril knew not what to do

with this small child in Human form, except to keep it safe and warm.

Though Humans think the Elves are wild, no Elf would ever harm a child.

But then the King looked in the ship, and did a double backward flip.

“My stars,” he cried, “this makes it clear—there is a message written here.”

And so there was, from those on Yule who’d used a magic writing tool.

The note explained the child was Love; that those on Yule were thinking of

the plight of Elves on Planet Earth, and that this child would prove his worth.

His looks were Human, that was true, but he had Elven magic too.

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So as he grew among themselves, a way he’d find to help the Elves

to gain once more what they had lost, so they could move beyond the frost,

beyond the land of ice and snow, and live again in lands below.

The Elf King didn’t think that wise, but then he looked into the eyes

of all the Elves around the child. They saw a baby, small and mild.

They saw no threat to Elven land, and so the King stretched forth his hand

and he decreed: “To Jingle’s care, and to his kindred standing there,

I give this child for them to raise, and once he’s through his growing phase

we will decide if Elf or not, or if this be some Human plot.

“I charge thee, Jingle, standing there, with Bingle dark and Fingle fair,

and Hingle, Dingle, Pingle too, and also Zingle, even you,

that from this day I do decree that family all to this child be.

And since his kinship you now claim, we charge that Kringle is his name.”

And so it was this child of Yule, grew up within an Elven school

with family here upon this Earth, giving Love a new rebirth.

And what the Angel had foretold, began to grow at the North Pole:

A Human child with Elven ways, bringing joy to all their days.

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Chapter 6

Kringle’s Magical Education

So as the Elf King, Kril, decreed, the Elven family did indeed

take little Kringle to their hearts, and each one taught him in the arts

of Elven lore, and magic bold, and how the Elves ignore the cold.

Bingle showed him cookie dough, made from starlight beams and snow;

Fingle taught him how to sing, and how to make a magic ring.

Hingle could a moonbeam fold, and turn it into Elven gold.

Dingle chanted to the sky, and made time stop, or made it fly.

Pingle knew each single word in every language ever heard.

Zingle waved a hand around, and no one else would hear a sound

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But it was Jingle’s special joy to know precisely which small toy,

or large one too, would put a smile on the face of any child.

But Jingle could not use his skill, “Not for Humans,” Elf King Kril

would thunder in the village square. “We do not with the Humans share.”

So years passed swiftly, one, then two, then twenty more as Kringle grew

and grew and grew and grew some more, until he crawled in through the door

and Hingle yelled, “Make yourself small; you know you’re too big for the hall.”

And Kringle did, for he could shrink to half his size when he would think

about himself as one small mouse, living in a great big house.

“But Elven magic’s not the way for me to walk around all day.”

“You’re right,” said Jingle, “It is time to build a home of oak and pine;

one just your size, a home of wood. And we will build it very good!”

And so they did, and on the top, they built a giant magic shop.

Jingle still loved building toys, and Kringle too, though all the boys

and all the girls within Elf-town had every doll and puppet clown

and ball and bat and choo-choo train imagined by an Elven brain.

Elven women, and their girls, had all the finest fancy swirls

and patterns in their coats and gowns, though showing off in Elven towns

is rather pointless, for you see, Elves have beauty magically.

Their eyes are large and bright and brown, or brilliant blue; they seldom frown,

so their faces have no lines or other Human worry signs.

The Elves’ ears are all pointed, too; they hear far more than me or you.

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And though we think Elves rather small, they feel that being three feet tall

is just the perfect, perfect size to show off their large ears and eyes.

So clothes were nice, and toys were fine, and Elves do not by nature whine,

but finally Kringle told the King, “You know, Good Sir, I wish to bring

an end to Elven-Human fear; it is that job that brought me here.

“The folks of Yule gave me to you; across much time and space I flew.

The North Pole now is where we live, but there are Elves with love to give

to all the people of the Earth. Surely, Love has that much worth.”

“I mistrust Humans; they are strange.” Kril said, “We must stay out of range

and keep outside away from view by those who look like, well... like you.”

Kril puffed and huffed; it was a sight to see him at his full elf-height.

But that is only three feet tall, and frightened Kringle not at all.

“But you have raised me, all the Elves. I can do magic, like yourselves,

and maybe I’ll do even more, for I have memories in store

from Yule, my other home out there. On Yule with all we share. We share!”

But Kril said “No!” and “No, again! We do not traffic with the men

of Earth and furthermore, I never will--and that’s for sure!”

And so the matter stood awhile, and toys unused became a pile

so high that up there at the top, it shoved the roof right off the shop.

It could not stay that way, of course. They had a train and hobby horse

or maybe six or eight to spare for every Elf-child living there.

With all those toys piled up so high they had begun to block the sky.

Kringle knew the time had come to share their gifts with everyone.

And finally, his decision made, Kringle bowed his head and prayed:

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“I know that I am not all-wise, but I do think a compromise

could help the Humans and the Elves to love each other, and themselves.

“What can I do? What can I be?” And the Angel heard his plea.

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Chapter 7

An Angelic SuggestionThe cold North Wind that night did blow, bringing with it more new snow

than even Elves had seen all year; but then the night became so clear

that you could see a sparkling on every lovely, frozen thing.

Above the air the Northern Lights sailed ‘round about like Heaven’s kites:

from their waves came sounds of space, and then appeared the Angel’s face.

“Oh, listen to me, Elven King, for I have heard the wondering

of this young man whose heart is pure, and wishes only for a cure

to this disease that seems so great—this sickly Human-Elven hate.

“It’s true the Humans did you wrong, but they have suffered for it long;

without Elf magic, charms and song, their children mope and drag along.

The children are not fooling me, although the grown-ups do not see,

the children know where magic lies—it’s in their hearts and in their eyes.

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“But you all help to bring it out, to help the children dance about;

for that is what you’ve always done, every Elf, yes, every one.

“Have Elves forgotten how to love, or are you only thinking of

the hurt that fell upon yourselves? Are you so selfish, little Elves?”

Elves bowed their heads, yes, even Kril. Hate had made the Elves grow ill.

When Elves get sick in mind, it’s true, eventually their bodies do

become quite ill until one day, they gradually just fade away.

“But what’s the answer?” Kril cried out. “The Humans don’t want us about.

They’ve made that plain, that’s why we stole away up to the Northern Pole.

They put us and our magic here. Humans do still magic fear.

If we use magic, Humans fuss; without Elf-magic, we’re not us!”

Each silent Elf nodded a head; it was as Elf King Kril had said:

The Humans had the magic banned from all the lower Human land.

The Angel agreed, “Yes, that’s true. At least, that’s what they used to do.

But that was now some time ago, and Human children have cried so

that there are many grown-ups who would like a magic spell or two.

“You need to love; they need to play. Don’t you think there is some way

that we could reach a compromise—bring laughter to their children’s eyes

and banish Human-Elven fear? If only, even, once a year?”

Then Kringle, who had once been small, but now was at least two-elves tall,

said, “King, may I please have the floor? This is what I came here for.

“My heart is Elf now, through and through, for we of Yule are so like you.

But I am also Human size. Why, I could look them in the eyes

and they might not raise an alarm, or think that I would do them harm.”

“Kringle has magic,” the Angel swore, “More than all the Elves before.

Each toy is made by Elves with love, which they enjoy the giving of.

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“Bingle, Fingle, Jingle’s toys are plenty for the girls and boys

around the world, and Hingle’s mold, can make a magic sleigh of gold.

Dingle can stretch time so right, we’ll do it all in just one night.

“Pingle understands each word that every little child has heard

or ever said that they would like, and Zingle could make sure each tyke

would not hear Kringle in the night, delivering the toys just right.”

Angel Elisabeth laughed with glee. “The plan is perfect, don’t you see?

We’ll give the gifts so Humans learn that Love needs nothing in return;

that giving just for giving’s sake, is so much more than give and take.

“Oh, we’ll use magic, to be sure, and being Human, they’ll want more,

because adults will finally see what children know quite naturally—

that magic lies within the heart, and giving gifts is just a start—

that Love itself, when given free, always grows abundantly.

“The Humans will know that the Elves had the courage in themselves

to do what every kind should do--by their deeds say, ‘I Do Love You’.”

Elisabeth then stretched her wings. She said, “Well, you have many things

to do if you are going to do this right. First off, you must choose a night,

and only one, when you will start to open up the Human heart.

“It starts by giving children toys; and you’ll need lists of girls and boys,

and Elves to double-check each list, for you want no child to be missed.”

The Elves thought mightily and hard, they thought inside, out in the yard,

in the barn, and in the shop; they thought and thought and thought non-stop.

“It seems,” said Jingle, “we should find a time when Humans are inclined

to be in happy moods—at play; sometime around a holiday.”

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“But there’s so many,” Kringle sighed. “Each country has a day of pride,

or maybe two or three or more, and there’s religions by the score.

They all have holy days and nights, they celebrate with songs and lights.”

Elisabeth said, “If I may—In each religion there’s a day

or two or eight or nine or ten, that happens in each year just when

the days are short and nights are long. It’s been that way for just as long

as there have been those on the Earth who celebrate the world’s rebirth.

“In ancient times they thought the world was flat and that it never twirled

around the sun, but stood quite still, so the days grew shorter ‘til

somehow, by magic, light again would conquer over night. And then

they celebrated. They still do. It’s Hanukkah, and Christmas too.

And Ramadan, and so much more—there’s celebrations by the score.”

So all the Elves then took a vote. Each one put upon a note

the special day the Elf thought best to carry out this giving test.

For test it was; they had to see if Humans could accept with glee

this simple act of Elven love. Although they thought the linking of

their giving with a time of joy was a very clever ploy.

The children would all love it, true, for children know what love can do.

But what would grown-up Humans do? Would they like the idea too?

And when the counting was all done, the votes were in and there was one.

That day received, just barely, more votes, by only two or three.

So then the Elves all said, “Hurray, we’ll give our gifts on Christmas Day!”

And all the Elves stood up and cheered, though privately some of them feared

this grand experiment. Because, though good, it also meant

that Humans would now know the Elves were not just keeping to themselves.

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And also, Kril, the Elf King thought, “If Humans and the Elves fear not

and come together happily, my kingdom may no longer be.”

And Kril began to think again that maybe taking Kringle in

so long ago from planet Yule, had been the actions of a fool.

The longer that the Elf King thought, the more his brain began to plot.

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Chapter 8

The Christmas Elves Begin

Though time’s the same for me or you, Elves don’t tell time as Humans do.

They notice when the seasons change, but think the Humans very strange

when Humans go into a shock because they’re “late” by someone’s clock.

Elves reset the clock, you see—so they are on “time” constantly.

Elves set their own clocks, if at all, for summer, spring, winter, fall.

But they attend to seasons’ change. Even North Pole has a range

of temperature and weather swings, though Elves tell more from icy rings

around the Moon, and by the light that lengthens day and lengthens night.

But Elves have ears that hear quite far, and Kringle has Yule ears that far

beyond the Pole can hear when Christmas comes again each year.

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Was just a month or so away, until the first time Christmas Day

when Kringle and his sleigh would lift, and deliver his first gift.

He’d thought to use his crystal ship, but found it couldn’t make the trip.

It’s built between the worlds to blast, but on the Earth it moves too fast.

The Angel had foretold a sleigh, and Hingle could in just one day

make one out of magic gold. It would not freeze up in the cold.

It had a magic cargo place so all the toys were in one space

with room for Kringle. Loaded full, it would take lots of strength to pull.

Magic dust could help the sleigh go lightly, lightly, on its way,

but to guide it through the air, Kringle knew he’d need a pair

of sturdy animals, or four—maybe even six or more.

Unicorns came first to mind. They fly, they’re strong, and very kind.

But unicorns had left the Earth long before the Kringle birth.

Griffins had been strong, and flew, but no one knew where they’d gone to.

He looked, and looked, and looked around, and in the ice and snow he found

eight mighty reindeer, strong and true. They would see his sleigh came through

the starry nighttime Christmas sky. But reindeer don’t know how to fly.

But Jingle had a trick or two. He said, “I know what we can do.

We’ll treat this corn with magic dust. And then the deer will fly. They must!”

And fly they did, they flew and flew. They lined in harness, two by two.

As long as they ate corn each day, they easily could pull the sleigh.

And, they were not afraid of height. They’d pull all day, they’d pull all night.

They truly loved to be airborne, as long as they could eat the corn.

Meanwhile, the Elves were busy too, for they had, oh, so much to do.

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The lists of children, very long, were double-checked so that no wrong

toys were given out the night that Kringle made his first big flight.

Down at the village all the Elves were piling toys and games on shelves

and sorting out which toy went where. So that when Kringle took to air

he’d have the proper toy just right, for delivery that night.

With all the Elves running about, the Elf King Kril began to pout.

No one had asked him for advice; he still thought Humans were not nice

and wouldn’t like to know the Elves were giving Love again themselves.

But if the Humans liked the toys, made happy little girls and boys,

it might go badly for the King—the end of separation bring.

The Elfdom kingdom might then fall, and Kril would not be King at all.

And that was where his mind did stay, as all approached the magic day.

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Chapter 9

An Elf King’s Plot

As that first Christmas Night came nigh, the Elven hands and feet did fly.

The sleigh was in its parking place, with every toy set in the space

that was designed for it to fit, so Kringle could reach back for it

and put it in the magic sack that he would carry on his back

as he jumped down from his sleigh, onto roofs along the way.

And though the sack was very big, it felt as light as one small fig

because, once toys were stored within, they all became quite small and thin.

They fit like matches in a box, from fancy dolls to cuckoo clocks

and tiny soldiers made of lead to fire trucks all painted red

and drawn by wooden horses fine. Each gift was wrapped with silken twine

and ribbons red and fancy bows, and then, of course, there were the clothes:

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Sweaters for the little boys, and caps that jangled with the noise

from bells attached upon the tops, and dresses that came from the shops

of Elven women who could sew lace so fine it looked like snow,

and bonnets made with ribbon in that tied beneath a young girl’s chin.

All those and more had made their way into the wondrous magic sleigh.

And Kringle was a striking sight—the Elves had labored day and night

to make a special suit and hat. They felt he needed something that

would keep him warm and make him smile as he sailed along each mile

that he would have to go that night, upon his wondrous magic flight.

They made for him a suit of red, with white trim ‘round the waist and head

and filled it full of Elven charm, to keep him safe from Human harm.

Zingle simply made it full of something that’s invisible;

So though the suit was red and white, it could disappear from sight

if Kringle thought a Human might look at him with fear or fright.

As night fell on the world below, they made the final plans to go;

to make the Humans understand that Love could live throughout the land.

But as we’ve said, not all agreed. Elves, like humans, can know greed

and jealousy and envy too. Kril, the Elf King, had thought this through.

Kril decided, in his mind, to do a thing that wasn’t kind

and wasn’t made of Love at all. In fact, you could even call

it very mean, and you’d be right. Kril decided he would fight

the good his Elves could do, because if Kringle’s word was true

the Humans might invite the Elves to live again among themselves.

Right now, it was just once a year, and Kringle had seemed very clear

that it would a long time take for Humans to begin to make

a change about their thinking of the ways of magic and of Love.

But even so, Kril didn’t care. Kril didn’t want to have to share

the power he had come to know in the land of ice and snow.

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Kril knew the Elves had made a charm that would keep Kringle safe from harm

by any Human he might meet, but there were other ways to beat

their puny little magic spell; they had not thought of Elves as well.

So Kril, an Elf himself, a King, did a really awful thing:

he took some magic corn away, and substituted plain old hay.

He fed the reindeer on that night, but made sure they were not fed right.

They had enough corn left to fly far out into the nighttime sky—

they’d go for miles and miles away, but finally then the plain old hay

mixed with the corn would gradually make them lose their energy.

“This thing from Yule, be Elf or Man, will never finish out his plan,”

said Kril, though not at all out loud. “He’ll fall at some point in a cloud

and down he’ll come in someone’s yard. I hope he lands there very hard!”

And then the Elf King stole away, leaving not a trace of hay

that might be found by anyone, to prove the evil he had done.

Kril, it’s very sad to say, was loveless in his heart that day.

He let his fear and injured pride, push all the thoughts of Love aside.

And that is where the matter lay, when Kringle set out in his sleigh.

He never knew, on that first ride, that danger rode there by his side.

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Chapter 10

Kringle’s Dangerous Adventure

Now at the North Pole on the ground, there is snow the year around.

In winter just one hour is light, and all the rest looks black as night.

But even so, in Elven Town, magic lights shone all around

and it looked as bright as day, and all the Elves came out to play

and cheer and shout and dance and sing as Jingle did the reindeer bring

around the front of Kringle’s door. And then there came a mighty roar.

Kringle stepped aboard the sleigh: “Thank you,” he said, “for this fine day

when we will show the Humans of the kindness of your Elven Love.”

The reindeer lined up four by two, and all eight knew what they should do.

When Kringle took the reins up tight, they lifted off into the night.

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The Elves cheered wildly, “Look above. There goes Kringle, with our Love.

And there he goes with magic, too. We hope they like it. Oh, we do.”

And though it would be just one night, at least this year, if it was right

and Humans did receive it well, and think it not some awful spell

or simply some dark Elven trick, then maybe slow, or maybe quick,

the Human grown-ups in their heart, might make room, a little part,

for Elves to live, and magic too—there’s a lot that Love can do!

Out through the night the sleigh did fly, o’er rooftops small and chimneys high;

past villages and farms and ways, wherever people spent their days

and into valleys vast and deep, and everywhere that children sleep.

And at each house or farm or shed, or anywhere a tiny head

lay sleeping on that magic night, Kringle dropped his sleigh so light

that no one heard a single sound. He used the roof, he used the ground,

he entered quickly as he could, whether the house was stone or wood.

He came through chimneys, and through doors, and he was careful on the floors

to never, ever make a sound, so no one knew he was around.

And at each house he checked his list, to see that no child would be missed.

The Elves had done their work quite well, so Kringle easily could tell

just exactly which right toys to leave for all the girls and boys.

He tip-toed in, he scampered out, he went around and ‘round about

and he thought it all quite fun, to leave these gifts for everyone.

And every time he came back out, and checked the bag he hauled about

he found it still was filled as high as when he’d first begun to fly.

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So as he went on through the night, behind him came the morning light.

And children came awake that day to find new games for them to play

and toys and clothing, candy too—caramels for them to chew,

chocolate for each to eat, and every other kind of treat.

“But we did not buy this ourselves,” the parents said. “The Elves, the Elves,

the Elves are back!” the children said. “That can’t be true, the Elves are dead,”

the parents patiently replied. “Oh, please, don’t say that,” children cried.

“We’ve missed the Elves, and magic so.” And parents said, “We know, we know.

“In truth, we miss the magic too. And we’re not sure just what to do.

We know these gifts we didn’t earn, and nothing’s been asked in return.

“It makes no sense we can think of, but maybe... these are gifts of Love.”

“They are, they are,” the children said. And one by one, each child was led

to fold small hands and say a prayer for what the dawn had shown them there.

It wasn’t to be understood, but it was very, very good.

And it seemed right to kneel and pray for all the wonder of this day,

and even though they’d only guess who had been so generous,

they knew the Elves had played a part; each child knew within their heart.

So where the children knelt to pray, the light had come to a new day.

But Kringle moved ahead of light, flying on throughout the night.

He’d flown so high, so far, so fast, he’d almost gone around at last

and circled the whole darkened world, but down below him water curled

and though he searched both far and wide, all he could see was ocean tide.

And worse, the reindeer seemed in pain; each one, in turn, began to strain

and struggled to keep up the pace—fatigue was showing on each face.

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“It cannot be, they had their corn. These deer should not feel tired, worn,

and yet, it seems they’re getting sick. I must reach land, and reach it quick.”

But there was no land to be found, for miles and miles and miles around

was only water, deep and black, and it was too far to go back.

So slowly down the sleigh did fly, dropping sadly from the sky.

It spiraled down in awkward flight, dropping through the winter night

until, not very far below, into the water they would go.

Kringle thought of what to do: “Maybe the deer could make it through

if they were not tied to the sleigh. I’ll cut them loose; maybe that way

they’ll have the strength again to fly. It is not fair that they should die.

“It’s not for flight that they were born—It’s us that gave them magic corn.”

Kringle thought about himself. He had been proud to be an Elf.

Although he was a child of Yule, he had attended Elven school

and lived with Elves most of his life. He even had an Elven knife

and with it he could cut the strap that lay before him in his lap.

And although he wasn’t glad, he said a prayer for what he had

and what he’d learned and seen and been, and then he thought he would begin.

“Oh, child of Yule, you should have known,” the Angel said, “You’re not alone.”

Though Kringle couldn’t hear her then, she heard him fine, as she heard men

and women pray, but most of all, Angel Elisabeth heard the small.

The children were her special care, she always heard them everywhere.

She’d heard them praying through the night, as Kringle went on in his flight.

And as they prayed through every hour, the prayers had built tremendous power.

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There is no power large as Love. The smallest child has power above

the greatest king or president when that small child has heaven sent

a prayer of quiet gratitude for what is right and true and good.

The prayers had gone on through the night, and now the magic of that might

flowed through the Angel’s wings and down, to form a magic globe around

the sleigh and all the reindeer too, and once again the reindeer flew!

Upward and onward, climbing high, into the starry, starry sky,

the reindeer snorted, laughed and pranced; they did a little reindeer dance

upon some clouds that drifted past, and then they moved on really fast.

And Kringle jumped so high with glee, he almost floated out to sea,

but bubble-bounced back to his seat and said, “Let’s make the job complete,

and then we’ll go on home this night, and tell this miracle of flight.”

And finally, as dawn’s light did crack behind him, he looked in his sack

and said, “My word, there’s nothing there. I think we’ve finished in the air.”

And so he had. Each girl and boy, now had at least one shiny toy

and was awaking to a day when Love and magic were at play.

Above it all the Angel sighed, and gently helped the reindeer glide

back to the North Pole as the night faded in the morning light.

The prayers of children were the force that kept the sleigh upon its course.

Directions came from up above, but the power came from Love.

For there is nothing to compare, with the power of a prayer.

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Chapter 11

Kringle Is Saved

Meanwhile, in silence at the Pole, Jingle hurt within in his soul.

His family, too, looked on in dread, as Kril announced: “Kringle is dead.”

The Elf King swore he’d seen a sign, the magic letters written fine

within a bank of frozen snow, about what happened down below.

“The Humans have brought Kringle down. They saw him as he left a town

and, because they live in fear, they shot their arrows at each deer

that pulled the sleigh until each one had fallen down and couldn’t run.

We must suppose it was the fall that fell the sleigh and killed them all.

“I told you not to trust Mankind; you wouldn’t listen, wouldn’t mind,

but listened to that Yule-land Elf, who wasn’t really like yourself.

Forget those folks from far away. We’re North Pole Elves, and here we stay.”

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“But what of magic, and of Love,” cried Jingle out. “From up above

Elisabeth, the Angel, said, we could to greater Love be led.

I don’t believe that she would lie. Her Love is greater than the sky

and she would not our friend condemn, to the hateful acts of Men.”

“As you can see, the day’s begun,” and Kril looked toward the rising sun.

“Night around the world is through, and Kringle is long overdue.

Face facts,” the Elf King did reply. “Your friend is gone. His plan must die.

From now on,” he said to the Elves, “We’ll keep our magic to ourselves.”

But even with the news so grim, Jingle heard a voice within

that whispered deep within his heart that Love had not made such a start

to simply vanish in one night. It couldn’t be—it wasn’t right!

So in the town square Jingle stayed; he bowed his head, and he too prayed.

Jingle prayed that everywhere Kringle had gone, elf-love to share,

that Love, like seeds, would plant and grow; so Elves and people too would know

that what had started on that night would blossom in the morning light

around the world, and out in space, in every heart and every place

that Humans, Elves, or Yule-folk dwell; in everything, that Love would swell.

And up above the Angel heard. She’d listened in on every word

the Elf King told, each nasty lie, as she had floated through the sky.

“Jingle,” she whispered, and the Elf heard the voice within himself:

“This is no ghost inside your head, and your friend Kringle is not dead.”

And Jingle jumped with joy and glee; he’d heard her telepathically

though she was still some miles away, attending Kringle and the sleigh.

And sure enough, within the sun, a tiny speck had just begun.

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It grew and grew, and grew some more, and then were two, and then were four,

and then were eight proud, tiny deer, pulling lightly on their gear.

Then they sailed into the square, and with a “Ker-plunk!” landed there.

Kringle stepped out of the sleigh and spread his arms, “Oh, what a day,

and what a glorious, wondrous night! Though did you know? We had a fright.”

And suddenly from all around as, more and more, the Elves all found

that Kringle was alive and well, they wanted him his tale to tell.

He told them of what he had seen, and all the places he had been

and how he’d given all the toys to all the children, girls and boys.

But then, along the harness length, each deer in turn had lost the strength

to pull the sleigh, until at last, he felt that they were sinking fast

into an icy, angry sea and they would lost forever be.

And then, a magic globe appeared! At this, the Elves stood up and cheered.

Kringle continued: “And I knew, what Angel Elisabeth said was true—

We were still flying through the air—not with corn, but just with prayer!

Although the reindeer could not pull, we sailed upon a miracle!”

The Elves were hugging all around, glad Kringle made it safe and sound.

Then Jingle had another thought: “I think we really, really ought

to ask our Elf King, Kril, just why he told us Kringle had to die

at Human hands, and how he knew that Kringle would have trouble, too.”

So they looked high, and they looked low, they looked in tunnels and in snow.

They might not have found King Krill at all, but suddenly a magic ball

appeared within the Center square, and trapped within, the Elf King, there.

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“Let me out. Please let me out,” Kril screamed and hollered, jumped about

and kicked and punched and pinched the ball, which didn’t crack or break at all.

“Tell what you’ve done,” a voice then said. And “Poof”, right there above his head

Elisabeth sat in the air. “I think that it is only fair

that you should tell them what you did.” And Kril ducked down his head and hid.

Well, actually, he tried to hide, but since he was encased inside

the ball through which the Elves could see, he couldn’t hide successfully.

The Elf King stuttered, then he blushed. The Elves just waited, waited hushed

until they heard the Elf King say, “I took the corn, and put down hay.

“I did it for your good,” he cried. “You wouldn’t listen, though I tried

to make each of you understand that all this Love that you have planned

to share with all the Human-folk will only be to them a joke.

“They will think each Elf a fool, and that includes Kringle of Yule!”

“Oh, Kril, you are an awful king, to even think this shameful thing,”

the Elves as one voice then replied. “We know the Humans often tried

to do us harm in ages past, but we had found a way at last

to do them a good magic turn, and by our Love then they could learn.

“And it exceeded all our plans—with open hearts and tiny hands

folded in a simple prayer, the children Kringle’s life did spare.

It’s just what we were thinking of—a simple, kindly act of Love.

“But that does not excuse your part. There is a blackness in your heart.

We do not know what we should do, but your time as King is through!”

So then the Angel’s wings unfurled, and once around the globe she whirled.

“I believe I have a plan, that might just educate this man,”

the Angel said, and looked at Kril. The Elf King stood up, very still.

“I’m not a Man. I am an Elf, so keep your musings to yourself.”

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The Angel said, “I tell you this: Kril, you’re filled with prejudice.

“You don’t know Men, you only know that you are King here in the snow.

You tried to keep the Elves apart, with hatred locked within your heart.

“You even Kringle tried to kill, because of hatred, Old King Kril.

You do not wish the world of Men to mix with magic Elves again.

I know now just what you should do; you should become a Human too!”

And with that thought and one wing-wave, while Kril continued on to rave,

within the magic globe he grew, until he was an Elf, times two.

And when she’d made him double size, she narrowed down his Elven eyes

and shortened up his Elven ears, and then she did what each Elf fears:

Although it took her several hours, she took away his magic powers.

“Your training, Kril, can now begin—I send you to the world of Men.”

And with that proclamation sound, the magic globe rose off the ground

and headed south into the land inhabited by mortal Man.

“In time,” she told the Elves still there, “Kril will find that everywhere

that Love resides and blooms like flowers, one can grow their magic powers.

Kril can have back all he’s lost, and the only final cost

will be the time he takes to find, that power rests where Love is kind.”

And saying so, away she flew, for she had other work to do.

“Good-bye, Elisabeth, good-bye,” each Elf did wave and gladly cry.

“From very short to very tall, we really thank you, one and all.”

Elisabeth dipped down one wing, and once around the Pole did swing.

And as she vanished in the air, magic dust fell everywhere.

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“And now, there’s just one other thing. We need a king. We need a King!”

And that was true, for now the Elves had to pick one for themselves..

Kings must be brave, and strong, and true, and always know just what to do.

They must be good, and sweet and kind, and keep Love always on their mind.

They made their minds up double-quick.

Who do you think that they would pick?

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Chapter 12

The New North Pole King

While all the fuss was going on, Kringle and the deer had gone

to bed to sleep the whole day through. They slept away the nighttime too.

But by the next day when he woke, he thought the Elves had played a joke.

They are fond of jokes, it’s true; even when they’ve much to do

they take the time to play a trick, and they can do it very quick.

When Kringle rose out of his bed, there on the top, right at the head

there sat a mighty crown of gold. It had a note on it, we’re told:

To Kringle--from the land of Elves; we have voted, we ourselves,

that from henceforth, come what may, we will help on Christmas Day

to give to children ‘round the land, all the toys we make by hand.

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And will help you, without fear, to deliver once a year

all the bikes and trains and tops, made here in our magic shops.

Furthermore, another thing: Kril has lost his right as King.

It was he who used the hay to make you fall down with the sleigh.

He’s banished to the world of Men, and he can’t come home again

until he learns what Love is for, and his Kingdom is no more.

“In place of that, we made you King. We know that you to us did bring

a newborn hope, a purpose new—you taught us all what we should do.

We should be gentle, ever kind, we should not heed, or pay much mind

to those who talk of hate or war; that is not what Love is for.

But here’s the most important thing, and it is why we made you King.

For most of all, all we Elves must love all others as ourselves..

Kringle brushed away a tear. He certainly had not come here

to be a King, but only be a living possibility

to others of what Love can do. But then, when he had thought it through

he realized that there was a need—and that they needed him indeed.

For Love has many faces, true, and there are times when what we do

is better hidden; it’s more fun to give in secret, then to run

away and to hide ourselves. That was clever of the Elves

and of Elisabeth also, for in the end she had to know

that if the children were so blessed, then folks would not think Elves a pest.

And if the leader of the Elves looked a lot like they themselves

then Humans might begin to see Love universally

with all the beings far and wide that might between the planets ride,

whether on golden Angel wings, or crystal ships, or other things.

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So Kringle put upon his head the crown of gold and suit of red

and walked out on the village square, to meet the Elves assembled there.

“I do accept the post of King of all around the North Pole ring,

but only so each year the toys can be given to the boys

and girls who need them world around.” And then there was a joyous sound

as all the Elves shouted, “Hurray. It is a happy, happy day!”

And then Jingle came forth again, unrolled a scroll, and said, “Ahem—

We, the Elves in North Pole land, having pledged our solemn hand,

in fact both hands and both our feet, need one more thing to be complete:

“As you go on throughout the years, your fame will spread to Human ears.

Even in secret if you go, the children will still always know

that you have been there in their hall, by leaving presents for them all.

“Though Kringle your Elf name may be, Humans don’t speak Elf, you see.

Pere Noel, or Father Ice, Saint Nicholas is very nice.

And we like this one, well, because, it just sounds good—it’s Santa Claus.

“So pick a name, or use them all. It doesn’t matter to the small.

Any name they’re thinking of—they’re all the same—your name is Love.”

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What About Now…

But what of Santa recently... Right now he’ll at the North Pole be

directing Elves within his shops, making bikes and trains and tops

and lots of even newer toys for all the little girls and boys.

He’s older now than he was then, when first he went to towns of Men

to drop off toys and give delight to children on that Christmas night.

He still has reindeer, and they fly. Imagine him up in the sky,

still holding reins and checking lists, to see that no one will be missed.

His beard is white, and very long—in wind it whistles its own song

as onward through the night he flies to bring each Child a new surprise.

But even with all Santa’s fame, remember why the Yule-child came.

The gifts are just a symbol of—the greatest gift: The Gift Of Love.

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This is the story of Santa’s ride, told to us by an ancient scribe.

Some see only with their eyes—we don’t think that very wise.

If you’ve read this tale you know that what we’ve shown to you is so.

For you remember, as we do, the sights and sounds that we heard too

Of sleigh bells ringing in the dark; of one night when something arced

Across a golden yellow moon. And as you watched it from your room

You knew magic would stay a part of every really human heart.

Paul S. Carr III

Herb Leonhard

For the Bigger People:

Find out more aboutSanta’s First Magical Ride at:

www.yulestory.com

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Paul S. Carr III is a singer/songwriter, fiction and non-fiction

writer, father and grandfather. He now lives in the Seattle,

Washington, area with his wife, Libby, and cat, Tux.

They are close friends of Santa and Mrs. Claus.

About the author

About the illustrator

Herb Leonhard has been a professional illustrator and

graphic designer for more than twenty-five years and has

illustrated over 25 books in that time.

He lives in Prosser, WA with his wife, son, two horses, four

cats and a plethora of chickens.

His work can be seen at: www.herbleonhard.com

Santa’s First Magical RideA wonderful story of the universal power of love and belief all children hold.

It also answers the questions children keep asking parents and grandparents.

“Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.” —Edna Ferber

What are the five questions ALL children want answered when they get to meet Santa Claus?

1. “Where did Santa come from?”2. “How does Santa get around the world in one night?”3. “How does Santa get all those toys in the sack?”4. “How do the reindeer fly?”5. “How do the elves live at the North Pole?”

All these answers, and more, can be found in: