It was late as I walked through the workshops to make sure everything was shut down properly. When I noticed a light glowing in the back of the bike and scooter workshop, I peeked around the corner and saw one of the newer elves, Pip, putting a hoverboard together.
Always full of excitement and wonder, Pip was clever and quick with his hands, often helping others get their jobs finished. When night fell and the lanterns dimmed, however, the young elf’s imagination seemed to come alive, and he became uneasy.
“Good evening, Pip!” I said in a quiet voice, not wanting to scare him.
The elf turned. Surprised to see me, he jumped up and sputtered, “Oh … uh, Santa! I didn’t expect you.”
“To be honest Pip, I didn’t expect to see anyone in the workshops at this time of night and this far out from Christmas. Are you working on something special?”
“We’ll I uh … couldn’t sleep, so I just thought I’d pass some time working and getting faster at my job.”
“Humm… I see,” I murmured. As I glanced at him, he dropped his eyes and stared at the ground. “This wouldn’t have anything to do with the bogie man?”
Pip’s jaw dropped as he looked at me in total shock. “You know?”
“Of course I know. Afterall, I am …”
“Santa!” Pip said and began to sing softly, He sees you when you’re sleeping, He knows when you’re awake. I guess that applies to elves as well as children?”
“Yes, it does. When checking on my elves, I’ve seen you curled up under your patchwork quilt many nights. I often wondered why you were staring at the shadows dancing on the walls.”
Pip put aside the hoverboard and lowered his voice. “Besides the shadows, I hear soft, scratchy sounds coming from under my bed. I know the bogie man is under there. Last night he waited until I closed my eyes. Then I heard him breathe reaaal slow. He even smells like old, dirty socks.”
“I used to think there were monsters under my bed too,” I said with a twinkle in my eye, “back when I was just a little Kris Kringle in training.”
“You did?” Pip blinked.
“Oh yes. But then I learned a secret. Why don’t we go to your room and I’ll tell you about it.”
The young elf put aside the hoverboard and headed for the door.
When we arrived at Pip’s room, he immediately sat on the side of the bed.
“Can I sit next to you?”
Pip made room for me as I gently eased myself onto the edge of the bed, making it creak like a door in an old house.
“So, here’s the secret. Most of the time, monsters under the bed aren’t monsters at all. They’re misunderstood creatures who are just as scared of you as you are of them. Many are just hoping someone nice will find and help them. Others are just looking for a warm place to nap or crumbs from a cookie snack.”
“But I’ve been hearing him every night,” Pip whispered.
“Well then, let’s investigate, together.” I pulled a small candy cane flashlight from my coat pocket. Its warm red glow lit the space beneath the bed. “Aha!”
Pip gasped. “You see him?!”
I reached under and gently pulled out a dusty, shivering fluff ball with big, blinking eyes. “I bet you’ve never met a Sprite before tonight They show up in the oddest places.”
I held the little guy in my hand, allowing Pip to have a better look.
Wrapped in what appeared to be an old sock, the Sprite gave a tiny sneeze, making us both chuckle.
“Poor little guy’s been hiding under your bed, hoping someone kind would find him. By any chance did all your socks match when the clean clothes were delivered to everyone’s room from the Laundry Caves?”
Pip picked up the sock and laughed. “This is the one I lost. How’d he get it?”
“Sprites like to collect things that give them shelter and a warm place to stay. Recently, one of the bells on my boots came loose and rolled away. A Sprite took hold of it and nestled under my bed.”
Pip giggled nervously. “So, he’s not a bogie man. Right?”
“Right. Not even close. But I do know how scary it can feel when you don’t understand what’s going on.” I looked Pip in the eye and placed my hands on both of his shoulders. “That’s why it’s always good to talk about your fears. Even the big ones. Especially the big ones.”
Pip gave the Sprite a gentle pat. “Can he stay with me?”
I beamed. “If you want to keep him, he will have to agree to stay; then you will have to give him a name that is acceptable to you and him.”
“Would you like to stay with me?” Pip asked.
When the Sprite agreed, Pip continued, “What do you think about the name, Thistle?”
The little Sprite nodded.
“I think my work is done here. With Thistle in your room. I doubt any real monsters will try to get under your bed.” I patted the elf on his shoulder as the bed creaked again when I got up to leave. Before closing the door to Pip’s room, I looked back and watched the elf tuck Thistle into a little box with a clean sock-blanket. I knew that Pip would still hear the wind and see shadows on the walls, but I felt sure that they wouldn’t appear quite so scary anymore.
Notes From Santa
I hope you enjoyed today’s story. Stories are posted on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month, except December. Santa’s next story will be posted on Saturday July 12, 2025. If you have any comments or if there is something you would like me to tell you about, please feel free to leave me a comment. Until the next time . . .
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