Emmie's Reindeer Emmie sat up in bed, getting tangled in her too-big-but-you'll-grow-into-it nightie. Every now and then she would look out the window to see if Santa came past, or she would put her ear to the floor boards and listened for a thud which would most likely be Santa coming down the chimney, and not Tibbi, Emmie's little black and white cat, being silly. Suddenly, Emmie heard someone-or someTHING-run up the stairs. THUD THUD THUD THUD Her bedroom door creaked open... CREEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAaaakkkkk.... Quickly, Emmie grabbed the white sheets and pulled them over her head. She peaked out and saw... ...A baby reindeer! It was small and skinny, with scruffy fur,hazel eyes and a small bell on a ribbon tied around it. It slowly walked towards Emmie. Emmie slowly walked towards it (though she finally found crawling easier in that nightie!) She slowly reached out her hand and stroked it. The little reindeer seemed to almost smile and beckoned her to come out of her room, down the stairs and outside. As they walked (though the reindeer seemed to stumble more than anything) Emmie began to feel excited. Could this be her pet reindeer? Is it one of Santa's? Can she keep it? Emmie stepped outside and got an amazing surprise-snow covered absolutely everything. The reindeer scampered around, wanting to play. Emmie giggled and ran with it, making little snow men and trying to show the reindeer how. Having no hands and only hooves was no excuse-anyone could make a snowman, Emmie thought. The little reindeer started to roll up snowballs with its nose while Emmie put them on top of each other. Their snowman was done-but it didn't have a face! The reindeer ran over to the tree that grew in Emmie's garden. It picked up a fallen branch with its mouth and passed to Emmie who drew arms and a face on it! They both went back inside and grew very sleepy. The reindeer slept at the foot of Emmie's bed and were both asleep in seconds! But, on Christmas Morning, THE REINDEER HAD VANISHED! Emmie looked everywhere, in every room in the house, under everything, over everything, on everything and in everything. The reindeer had gone. Emmie went back up to her room and lay down. She didn't want any presents now-just the reindeer. As she lay there, she felt something hard on her pillow. Quickly, she sat up and saw the small bell and ribbon that was tied to the reindeer's neck. There was also a note which read: "Your little friend is closer than you think. Look under the Christmas tree. Santa" Emmie got her parents and they all went downstairs. Under the Christmas tree, there was a little hazel ball of scruffy fur that was fast asleep. Emmie stroked it gently and Tibbi the cat curled up next to it. The reindeer woke up and ran into Emmie's arms. And, with a little Christmas magic from Santa, Emmie was allowed to keep the reindeer. And they all lived happily ever after. THE END