Ben's Santa Trap

Ben lived in a little wooden house right on the edge of the Whispering Woods. On Christmas Eve, the trees in the woods didn't just whisper; they twinkled with frost that glittered like a million tiny stars. Ben loved making things. He had spent the whole afternoon creating a super-sparkly, glitter-covered card for his little sister, Mia, and had just placed it carefully under the tree.

As he looked at all the space under the tree, a thought popped into his head like a soap bubble. Santa brings presents to everyone in the whole world, but who brings a present to Santa? A big idea began to grow. "I know!" Ben whispered to the tree. "I'll catch him! Not to see him... but to give him a present!"

Ben decided to make a Santa Trap. Not a tricky trap, but a tasty one! He laid a trail of his best choc-chip bickies from the fireplace all the way to a little table. On the table, he put a big glass of milk and a small, wobbly-wrapped gift. To make sure it worked, he decided to stay awake and watch. He hid behind the big comfy armchair, whispering to himself, "Be quiet, be quiet, be quiet." But the house was warm, his tummy was full, and his eyes felt very, very heavy.

Just as he was about to drift off, he heard a little cough from his sister's room. Forgetting all about Santa and his trap, Ben crept quietly to Mia’s door. He saw her sniffling in her sleep, so he gently pulled her blanket up to her chin and gave her teddy a little pat. Seeing her all snug and warm made his own heart feel happy and full. He tiptoed back to his hiding spot, curled up, and fell fast asleep.

When Ben woke up, sunlight was streaming through the window and he was tucked snugly in his own bed! He scrambled out and raced to the living room. The bickies were gone! The milk was gone! And his present for Santa was gone too! But in its place was a tiny red envelope. Inside, a note in sparkly gold writing said: "Dear Ben, Thank you for the yummy bickies. But the best gift I received all night was seeing you be so kind to your sister. That is the real Christmas magic. Love, Santa."