'24 Sleeps to Go' -'Visiting Grandma' No.5

'Visiting Grandma' Story No.5

We are going for a sleepover to see our Nanny tonight. She’s very cuddly and lots of fun. When Mummy and Daddy aren’t there we get spoilt with lots of nice things to eat, and we go to bed late. Nanny says she loves it when we come to visit. She always has milk and we bake cookies. We play games, draw pictures, watch a film, and then it’s story time.

Nanny has the best stories every Christmas. This is the time we get a lucky bag. They have sweets and games inside.

Nanny says the same thing every time! ‘Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin!’ Now we snuggle up on the sofa. I’m eight, my name is Emma, my brother’s five, he is called Jacob.

‘Will I get scared? Is it a scary story, Nanna?’ Jacob asks. His sits in closer, just in case.

‘I don’t think you will, this story is called ‘The White Reindeer.’’ Nanny began.

‘Once upon a time, in the land of the White Kingdom, a baby reindeer was born. It was snowing, and the ground was a thick blanket of white. In the undergrowth, Mummy and Daddy reindeer were snuggled up, keeping the calf warm. She was a perfect baby with beautifully big eyes and extra- long eyelashes,’ Nanny smiled.

‘What shall we name her, dear?’ Mummy asked.

‘Snowdrop,’ Daddy said. ‘Because she is as pretty as a flower.’

‘She is very unusual too, a special white reindeer. A magical creature has been gifted to us.’ Mother reindeer licked her baby clean, keeping her warm and close.

‘We shall have to take special care of our daughter, for she is like no other,’ Father reindeer said.

‘They lay down together, watching the falling snow, all safe snug and secure.

The White Kingdom was a cold place, it snowed for several months of the year. Snowdrop grew bigger every day. The three of them went walking through the forest. They drank pure water from the stream, and ate wild berries, grass and mushrooms,’ Nanny said.

‘Mother, why am I not the same colour as you and father? When will I have my brown fur?’ Snowdrop asked one day.

‘Why darling, you are a very rare species of reindeer. There will never be one as beautiful as you, Snowdrop,’ Mummy reindeer said.

‘Hmph! I don’t want to be different, I want to be the same as everyone else,’ she complained.

‘Daddy, if I roll in the dirt will I be the same colour as you?’ Snowdrop pleaded.

‘No, my child, for the rain will wash the dirt away.’

‘Snowdrop felt sad, so she plonked down in the cold snow. It was a dirty white beside her, because she was so very pure,’ sighed Nanny.

‘Everyone makes fun of me, because I’m different!’ Snowdrop moaned.

‘I’m sure nobody makes fun of you. They are jealous because they will never look like you, dear,’ Mother reindeer explained.

‘I would feel better if I found another creature who looks just like me!’ Snowdrop huffed.

Father reindeer thought about this. ‘I think I know just the place! Who fancies a trip to the faraway Unicorn Forest?’

'24 Sleeps to Go -Trisha J. Kelly, winner of the best Juvenile Fantasy 2018 award.

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