December 19, 2020
There was light chatter amongst the elves that Santa might have COVID-19. A whisper here on the toy line. A theory over there in the corner by the water cooler. But where could the fib have started?
I'm not a detective. However, the rumors may have begun when Parnell entered the head trainer's office and exclaimed.
"Santa may have COVID!"
Startled, Papa Newell leaped to his feet. "Wha-wha-what," he stammered.
"No one is telling us that Santa has COVID! It makes me upset because I work so close to Santa. I have a right to know."
"You mustn't say a word, Parnell. Some rules govern us regarding health issues and privacy. And Santa is protected by those rules."
Later that evening, during the winter feast, to celebrate the elves' hard work this past summer and fall preparing the toys for shipment on Santa's sleigh. The elves were merry. They danced and sang their favorite songs. The same songs their ancestors had sung for 1,000 years.
"We work and work, play and dance, our lives are complete. We tend homes, raise our family, and rise to our feet while celebrating life daily."
Parnell didn't care about the governing rules. He decided to tell everyone out of fear of the virus spreading.
Parnell rushed into the crowded ballroom. Pushed elves over and other elves, he moved out of the way.
"Shmop" he shouted.
His hands placed out to his sides, palms out.
"Shamta howes Covend."
The party-going elves still danced about. As their bodies bumped into Parnell, they would look back at him with a puzzled look.
Little Ernie looked up from the ground, from where he was knocked over by Parnell.
"What?" His voice squeaked out.
"Shamta howes Covend!"
The music stopped.
"Take off your mask," a voice from the back exclaimed.
He grabbed his mask and ripped it off his face. And with intensity and strength, he shouted again, "Santa has COVID!"
He stood before them in a stoic stance. And stared intensely as if there was a camera in front of him.
Everyone stopped what they were doing. The mood deflated, and the festive air changed to despair.
"Who says," Priscilla, the lead elf demanded.
A murmur of great concern traveled amongst the rest of the elves.
"COVID?!" Tanner, the assembly elf, shouted before he fainted.
"But we have been practicing social distancing on the toy floor. We wore our masks. We have sanitizer. We have protection!" Dibs, the toy-making foreman proclaimed.
"Umm, well, it does not matter, Dibs," Juniper, the lead toy maker, started, "If Santa is sick with COVID, we must quarantine because he was in the workshop 2 days ago. And we can't risk spreading COVID."
The other elves bowed their heads.
"There goes Christmas," Jenny sobbed.
Most other elves nodded in agreement as they sided with Jenny's decision.
"We cannot disappoint the people of the world!" Benny proclaimed. "With our proper precautions, we must still have Christmas."
"You are correct, Benny. We have taken proper precautions," Priscilla said. "But traveling worldwide isn't the safest thing to do now. Especially since the big guy has COVID."
"We need a plan," logistics manager Frawn said.
Priscilla was calm because she already knew what to do. That is why she is the big boss.
"Okay, Frawn, we must tell the parents they must get their kids Christmas presents this year."
All the elves simultaneously looked around in disbelief. The thought that parents would now assume control of the gift-giving perplexed them.
"They cannot be trusted with the spirit of Christmas," Parnell quipped.
"People need hope," Leighbo said. He's been working with Santa for 190 years. "Children need Santa more than ever. Adults too! They are scared and sad. A pandemic has taken over the world. Even the idea of Santa can stimulate hope."
Pricilla stood up on top of the gathering table. She looked around at the faces of the other elves who looked to her for guidance. "Chin up, Luna," she said while bending over and lifting the chin of the scared elf.
She straightened up and looked around. "Leighbo is correct," she began to say. She scanned the crowd and looked at them in the eyes. "We must get the word to all the parents in the world and tell them it is on them to make Christmas happen this year."
"But they don't know how!" An elf shrieked from her chair.
"They'll ruin it all," Terrance, the spirit monitor, said. "Parents have forgotten that Christmas spirit. That is why we are here. Our likeness in movies and stories. The tales the humans hear about us all here in the North Pole. It is to remind everyone of the joy of Christmas. The spirit of giving. The love we spread. And to remind the humans of His birth. How would we tell parents and charities that Santa won't make his way this year?"
Through all their chatter, the sound of silver bells rang out. The elf's attention was brought to the rear, and they all turned towards the door.
Donner and Prancer, Santa's reindeer, were in the doorway. Rudolph's red nose, oh so bright, illuminated the doorway.
"It's true, Santa has COVID." Mrs. Claus said.
The elves cried and screamed. They hugged one another again. The festivities had officially ceased.
"What do we do?" Priscilla asked.
Mrs. Claus looked about the room. She saw that the elves' motivation was gone.
"First, we get it together. You're elves. Each one of you makes Christmas possible."
The group stood up and faced her.
"Secondly, we get the word out to the Elves on the Shelves and communicate to them that they must somehow get the message to the parents, loved ones, guardians, and charities that they must provide that Christmas spirit this year. And do it without Santa's help."
"I can communicate that," Saint Pierre exclaimed. He's the head of communication.
"Third, I need someone to help me as I travel the world in Santa's place. Not to land, not to give out presents. But to be seen and become a beacon of reassurance for those frightened during the quarantine. Christmas (she paused)...is here. And we must spread love to all those who see us. No matter what, Santa is seen as hope, and there can be some normalcy this year. The sleigh and reindeer will remind them of Christmas's spirit and show the world that we did not abandon them. Santa will still be here, sharing peace and love and, most of all, recovery. And last but not least, let us no longer say that COVID word again. It's Christmas time!"
The elves cheered wildly!
"Let's hear it for Mrs. Claus. She saved Christmas!"
"Now get to work," Priscilla said.
Saint Pierre ran to the communication room. Ronnie, the reindeer keeper, sprinted to the barn to prepare for the reindeer's trip. Beverly followed Mrs. Claus back to her room to help prepare for her trip. Danny got his favorite decorations and styled the outside of the sleigh. Franny grabbed her toolbox to repair the inside of the sleigh.
As word got out to the parents, loved ones, and guardians to prepare for Christmas without Santa, a sense of calm began to refill the air. Christmas conquered despair. Christmas was to be saved, regardless of our fear of Cov- er, umm, well, that word we shall not say again per Mrs. Claus. Mrs because Mrs. Claus has let it be known that we are doing this together. Christmas has a new meaning of unity to all, and to all, a good night.
Merry Christmas!
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