THE REINDEER KING

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21970, 19 December 1936, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE REINDEER KING

Father Christmas was worried! He had stayed behind when the sledges had left, to finish seme very important work, Aunt Amelia Aeroplane having promised to overtake the sledges. ' And now she had broken her joy-stick! Suddenly he heard a peculiar noise! "What's there?' he called out. "Only me," said a strange voice.

"H'm, fine way to answer. What do you want, and who are you?" "I'm Whitefoot, and I've come to see if I can help you," replied the voice. "Whitefoot. the Reindeer King," Father Christmas exclaimed. He was so excited he couldn't open the door quickly enough. "Come in and get warm. What is your idea?"

"Well. I have a plan, but I won't promise to carry it out until you I premise to give the reindeer in your care a month's holiday after the busy season?" "Yes, I will, if you'll only overtake my deer so that I will be on Lady Gay's roof by midnight." "Very well, you must now lie flat on your back while I say some words. If you once open your eyes or move, the spell will be broken." Father Christmas, greatly mystified, did as he was bid. At ence a great sleepiness came over him, and he just couldn't keep his eyes open. The next thing he remembered was standing on Lady Gay's rocf as the sledges came in sight. As he looked round he thought he saw something fly in at the window below. Whitefoot had disappeared. Next time Father Christmas saw Whitefoot he asked him how he performed the marvellous feat. Whitefoot didn't say anything, but just roared with laughter, and although it is nearly a year, ago since it happened, he always bursts out laughing if anyone mentions it, so the elves and fairies call him the Reindeer Who Won't Stop Laughing. —GRETCHEN ATKINSON (aged 12), Hanmer Springs.