We are sharing the next story in our series, Featured Short Stories, written by students in the Creative Writing Club.
Every week, the students in the club work on writing stories, sometimes from their own ideas, and sometimes from story prompts. For the next few days, we will be sharing stories with a Christmas theme. Today’s story is from the prompt: A child is given Santa’s powers on Christmas Eve, with the ability to grant children’s wishes. What does he/she do?
This story was written by Ramona, aged 14. Enjoy!
Christmas for Connie
It was two weeks before Christmas. The time of the year people come together, which I hate! Call me scrooge, but I’ve never liked Christmas and never will. And any way I have school to focus on now. Not like I am excited about that either but at least its less jolly unlike the rest of my street. My brother the total opposite of me, he LOVES this time of year. And I don’t know why.
At school everything was normal except this year, we had secret Santa, even though it wasn’t secret. A boy named Tom got me so that wasn’t bad, but I got our neighbour, Imogen. The whole day, she was disturbing me with ideas of what to get her, and the thing she wanted most was a designer handbag which cost £1200. It was so silly, since our budget was £5 – £10, did she think I was made of gold?
After school I walked back home and met my brother hanging decorations and an inflatable Santa.
“What are you doing Joel?” I asked.
“You know what I am doing Connie,” said Joel. “Just because you’re the grinch doesn’t mean I can’t decorate my house.”
“Fine whatever,” I said rolling my eyes.
I went up to my bedroom wishing this month would pass quickly to New Year’s. But it never works. I wonder if Santa was real, what would his powers be? And would he let me have some?
- Can he give whatever presents you want?
- Can he change the time?
- Infinite cookies and milk?
- Able to talk to animals?
Well, that’s never going to happen, I thought. Now should I get Imogen some fake designer bag?
It was now six days before Christmas. I woke up earlier than normal. I looked at my alarm clock. It was five o’clock, but something didn’t feel right. The house felt colder than usual. I went downstairs to see if the heating was still on, but then I bumped into a man in a red suit and a white beard.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“Hello, I’m Santa.” he said, smiling.
Why was there a random man in my living room pretending to be Santa?
“I am going to call the police if you don’t leave my house!” I shouted.
“No Connie don’t call the police!” he said.
“How do you know my name?”
“See I am Santa, or I wouldn’t have known your name!” he said
“I still can’t trust you” I said.
“What do you want?” asked Santa.
“What?” I answered.
“Say anything and it will come true,” said Santa.
“Okay a balloon.”
And before I finished my sentence, there it was – a red balloon I asked for.
“See, I am Santa.” he said, smiling again.
Maybe I could believe this guy now.
“And you can do it too!” said Santa.
“But I can’t do magic?” I asked confused.
“But what if I gave you my powers this year to help me with Christmas?” replied Santa.
“I don’t think you want me for this job,” I said.
“Why not?” questioned Santa.
“I don’t have the best Christmas spirit,” I said.
“Before I became Santa, I was always so grumpy and never liked Christmas as well,” he said.
“So, you aren’t the first Santa?” I asked.
“No, there have been thousands before me,” he said.
This was incredible, last night I was thinking about this.
“Alright why not,” I said, curiosity getting the better of me.
“Great just wait and close your eyes,” said Santa.
The next thing I know I am in my bed again. But this time something was different. I heard talking, but from the window it was a robin, I could understand everything it said. I opened the window, and the bird came in with a letter saying “from Santa”.
- As you can see you can talk to animals (but only during the Christmas season)
- You can make gifts.
- And you can fly.
This should be interesting. I had so many ideas for using these my new powers, but what first? I could give Imogen her bag, so she stops brothering me.
I followed the instructions and waited. It was my first time doing this so I worried something could go wrong but all went well, and my present was done.
The next day, as I made it to school, Imogen popped out of nowhere and started to talk to me, when she saw me holding a present with her name on it.
“What did you get me?” said Imogen.
“You will find out,” I replied, and she did a quick dance.
We entered our classroom, and we all exchanged our gifts. I got a scarf which seemed boring, but it kept me warm for the whole day. When Imogen got her gift, she was amazed it was the bag she wanted. I was glad she liked it, and hoped she would now leave me alone.
“Hey Connie, right?” said Imogen, approaching me.
“Yes?”
“Thanks. Um do you want to see the Christmas lights with me after school?” she asked.
“Sure, why not!” I replied.
Before I went to see the lights with Imogen, I went back home to get ready, and there was Joel still adding more decorations for Christmas.
“Hi Joel,” I said.
“Wow you’re in a good mood!” said Joel.
“Yes, I am” I replied.
It was soon time for the Christmas lights and Imogen arrived at my house. We were ready to go and meet Tom and the others but because of the snow we couldn’t drive or get a cab or the bus. If we walked, the Christmas lights show would be over by the time we got to the city centre.
I had an idea, but it meant I had to show Imogen my powers. I took her hand, and we began to float and soon we were flying above the town, and to the centre of town. We landed where nobody saw us and walked the rest of the way to the crowd gathered around the huge Christmas tree. When the tree was finally decorated, and all the lights lit up, it was beautiful! I enjoyed my time with everyone, and I wondered, is this how people feel during Christmas because I loved it.
We flew back home, and I knew Imogen had so many questions.
“We were flying,” she said.
“I know” I said.
“How?” she asked
“Magic?” I said.
“You have magic powers?”
I shrugged.
“Well I had a lovely time. Next time you could take me to Paris,” she said.
“Maybe next Christmas?” I said.
We started to laugh; and then we got to have a cup of hot chocolate and marshmallows together. Then Imogen had to leave since it was getting late, and her parents would be worried.
It was now Christmas Eve and tomorrow my powers would be gone. I didn’t want to admit that I have loved these past few days, and I didn’t want it to end.
Before I went to bed, I saw Santa outside my back garden with his sleigh.
“Why so blue Connie?” asked Santa.
“Christmas is almost over.” I said.
“We always have next year.” said Santa.
“Well, my powers will be gone tomorrow, and I will go back to my boring schedule” I said.
“Connie, you have made new friends and I see you enjoy Christmas more now?” said Santa
“That’s true but it’s been fun with my powers,” I replied.
“I give my powers to people who need their Christmas spirit back. You’ve got yours now Connie,” said Santa smiling.
“Thank you Santa” I said and I hugged him.
He smiled as he got into his sleigh and lifted away. I smiled and waved until he was out of sight. This was now my favourite time of the year.
If you have a child who loves writing stories and you want to encourage them to explore their creativity and their imagination, then we would love to have them join our writing club! Just click on the link to register, and we will be in touch. Creative Writing Club – Registration Form.
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