My name is Sniff. Sniff the House Elf. I’ve lived in my house for over eighty years. I’ve helped three generations of families that have lived here, but this story is about the first family. They weren’t a big family, and they weren’t very rich, but that didn’t matter to them. Oh no, what mattered to my family was that they were together. They didn’t care about money, or who got the biggest present. They cared about getting to laugh and sing on the one day where nobody had to work. Christmas Eve.
That’s right, it was Christmas Eve. The Papa came home early, with a bundle of goodies in his arms. He worked at the local grocer, so they gave him whatever they couldn’t sell at the end of the day. It was Christmas, after all. He had a big block of cheese, a basket of plums, a box of cookies, and a ham just big enough for the four of them to share. The Mama came home with a bundle of clothes in her hands. She worked as a seamstress, sewing clothes for rich folk. And because of that, she always had scraps of fabric leftover. And so, whenever she had a free moment away from the loom, she would sew together the spare pieces of fabric. It took a long time, but she finally gathered enough scraps of cloth together to make something nice for everyone in the family.
The two kids, Molly and George, came home early too. They had been running around town all day long, trying to find whatever they could to make the house special for the day. George worked hard at the lumberyard and gathered lots of wood scraps for the fire. That way, they could keep it going all night long. And Molly went all around town, asking store owners if they had any old decorations they didn’t need. So, George walked through the door with two big bundles of wood in his arms, and his little sister came in with a pile of garland and some pretty glass balls for the tree.
It was a very good Christmas Eve. The dog slept on the rug by the fire, while everyone danced around Christmas Tree. They decked the halls with Molly’s decorations, and George made sure to keep the fire nice and hot. The Mama tucked her presents for everyone under the tree in secret, then the Papa and she made a big meal out of the goodies Papa brought home. To anyone else, the tiny Christmas Tree and the lack of presents and the smaller-than-average meal on the table would have been a sad sight. But to my family, it was more than enough. Because they had each other.
And then, after a night of dancing, singing, laughing and playing, everyone climbed into bed together for a night of sleep. Santa Claus would be here soon, and they all wanted to be in their bed when he came. What they didn’t know is that it was the elves who came first. They needed to make sure everyone was sleeping tight, so Santa could do his work without being seen.
But not everybody was in bed. I, Sniff the House Elf, was up. I’m always up, you see. I needed to ask Santa’s elf for a very special favor. I wanted to do something to show the family how much I loved them. But I didn’t think I could do it alone. I needed help. And who better to help me with what I wanted to do than Santa’s elf? So, when the little green-and-red elf popped up under the Christmas tree, I was waiting.
“Hi, there!” I said to the elf, as nice as I could be.
“AH!” The elf cried, falling on her butt. I didn’t think she’d get so scared, or I would have been more careful.
“Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you. My name is Sniff. Sniff the House Elf. Nice to meet you.”
“Oh. Just another elf. Well, nice to meet you, Sniff! I’m Maple, one of Santa’s elves. What are you doing here? You know it’s Christmas Eve, don’t you?”
“Yes, yes I do!”
“Well you know you aren’t supposed to be around on Christmas Eve. We have to do our work tonight.”
“Oh, I know that. I do. But I need to ask you for a favor. I want to give my family a special gift. Can you help me?”
“Well, that depends. What’s the gift?”
“Come on, and I’ll show you.”
I climbed down into the hole that led beneath the house. That is where we house-elves live, you see. Under the floorboards, in the walls. Odd places, but we find them cozy and warm. And in my little cubby under the floor, I had a bunch of things I wanted to give my family.
“You see, it’s against the House Elf Rules for stuff to just appear the way I want it to. But that’s only on most days.”
“And today is Christmas.” Maple said, knowing where I was heading. “It’s magical. So, things can appear, and it wouldn’t break your rules, right?”
“That’s right! You’re one sharp Christmas cookie. Over the years, I’ve collected a lot of things for my family. I didn’t know if I’d ever get the chance to give it to them, but I kept them. Just in case!”
“And now you want me to help you? But what can I do?”
“Well, I have to do a lot. I got all these candles you see. I want to get them lit and put them around the house. And I carved all these little nutcracker soldiers. I know they aren’t as good as the ones you’d make, but-”
“No! Sniff, these are beautiful.” Maple took one of my nutcrackers in her tiny hands, turning him over.
“Oh, you really think so? I painted them with wild berries. That’s why their coats are all different colors. Some of them are red, and some of them are blue. Some are even purple!”
“They’re very pretty.” The Christmas elf said, smiling at me. She had bright rosy cheeks and short blond hair that touched her shoulders. I thought she was very pretty too. Even though she was a bit bigger than I was.
“Golly, Maple. Thanks so much. I’ve also got gifts that I found outside.”
“You went outside of your house?”
“Yeah! I know it is against the House Elf Rules, but it was for my family. They work so hard; I think they deserve this.”
“You really love your family, don’t you?”
“Yeah! They’re the nicest family I’ve ever had. I’ve been to other houses, but this one is the best. They’re so sweet to each other. They hardly ever make a mess, and they always laugh or sing together. I want them to know I love them. And since I can’t tell them, I figured I’d show them.”
“But what if they don’t know these are from you?”
“Well, that’s okay! They’ll know someone loves them very much. And that’s all that matters.”
“Alright, I’ve decided. I’ll help you.” Maple said, nodding her head, making the bells on her hat jingle. “Let’s get to business! We don’t have much time.”
And so, on that Christmas Eve, Maple the Christmas Elf and I worked hard together. House elf and Christmas elf, side by side. We placed the candles on platters around the house and lit them. Now it wasn’t just the fire that filled the house with light. The whole house was glowing a soft orange! We took my nutcracker soldiers and put them all over. Some on the fireplace and some under the Christmas tree. We set up a little display of them in rows on the dining table and surrounded them with more candles. We took the glass orbs that I had collected and put them on the Christmas tree. They looked so pretty, sparkling in the candlelight. We strung old garland across the ceiling. When it was done, we started to swing from strand to strand, like they were sparkly vines in a Christmas jungle.
“Alright, it’s time to put the gifts beneath the tree. So, what did you get them, Sniff?”
“Well, Papa has always wanted to play music. So, I found him this old horn. I’ve polished it up with oil, so it should play really nice. And even though the Mama makes pretty clothes for everyone else, I know she’s always wanted a long gown of her own. So, I got this out of the attic for her. It’s old and has a few holes from moths, but I think she can fix them.”
“Oh, it’s so beautiful, Sniff! So elegant and such a pretty silver color. And the horn! It must have taken you a long time to polish off all the rust and make it shine. What did you get the children?”
“Well, George wants to build things when he becomes a full-sized Big Folk. So, I found him this hammer and screwdriver, and a wood chisel! And Molly wants to explore the world on a boat. So, I found her this fancy hat and old telescope. The hat has some holes,
and the telescope needs a new lens. But she’s a smart girl. I bet she’ll fix it!”
“Oh Sniff. You know what? Maybe you’re half Christmas elf. You’ve got a real gift for giving gifts.” She smiled at me, and I almost started crying happy tears. That was the nicest thing anyone had ever said to me.
“Ah, Maple! Thank you. I couldn’t have done this without you. Do you really think that they will like the gifts?”
“I think they will LOVE them.”
We smiled at each other, and then we wrapped the gifts up real nice. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to wrap them since I didn’t have any wrapping paper. But Maple said a good Christmas elf always carries some. And she was the best Christmas elf. And then, once the gifts were all nice and dressed, we put them under the tree together.
“Well, that’s the last of it. I better get back up to the roof and let Santa know he’s good to come on down. It was really nice meeting you, Sniff!”
I couldn’t think of anything to say. So, I hugged Maple and squeezed her tight. She was bigger than me, so I could only hug her waist, but she hugged me back.
“Will you come back next Christmas, Maple the Christmas Elf? We can do this again.”
“Maybe I will, Sniff the House Elf. Maybe I will. Until then, Merry Christmas!”
And then she vanished in a cloud of silver dust. When the next morning came around, the tree had so many presents under it, my family didn’t know what to do. George laughed and Molly screamed. The Mama and the Papa started to cry happy tears when they saw how beautiful the house looked. George really liked seeing all the nutcrackers lined up on the table. Molly started singing a sweet song about decked halls when she saw the garland hanging from the ceiling. I watched through the walls, doing a little dance of my own. I was so happy to be a part of their Christmas!
“Look, Mama! Papa! These presents are different from the rest.”
“You’re right, Molly. Good eyes.” The Papa said, patting his daughter on the head and pulling out the gifts.
“Look, darling. The wrapping is different.” The Mama said to him, touching his shoulder gently.
“Yes, and there’s a note!” George cheered. “Papa, is it from Santa?”
“It is, my boy. It says ‘Dear Everett Family, it’s Santa. I hope you’re having a very Merry Christmas. I’m leaving this note with these gifts to tell you a little secret. They’re not from me. That’s right. They’re from someone very special, who loves you very much. You know that I have helper elves. But did you know that you have your own helper elf too? His name is Sniff, and he is a house-elf. He lives with you, though you can’t see him. He’s the one who did all of this for you. The decorations and nutcrackers, and these presents. He did it to show you all how much he loves you. He’s probably there with you right now! Under your feet or maybe in the walls. I just thought you’d like to know that there is someone else in your family, hoping to help you however he can. Merry Christmas! From Santa Claus and Sniff the House Elf.’ Well, how about that?”
“We have our own helper elf? Amazing.” Molly and George said together.
“That’d explain a lot, wouldn’t it dear?”
“Sure does! Well, wherever you are... Thank you, Sniff!”
And that’s the story of how a Christmas elf and a house-elf worked together to make a very special Christmas for one lovely family. So, the next time you find a lost sock or your favorite locket, or come home to your house looking extra clean, be sure to thank your house elf. Because we are there all year round, and we love you. You Big Folk make every day Christmas for us. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Sniff the House Elf
THE END
Chapter 3: The Sleigh Ride
One Christmas Eve, I went out on a sleigh ride. It was a very ordinary sleigh, on a very ordinary Christmas. As ordinary as Christmas can be, at least. The sun had gone down, and the lamps were all lit. The snow was falling softly on my hat, and I had to shake it a couple of times. It made the orange glow of the lamps look magical orbs, dancing as I rode past. My nose started to get red in the cold wind, but I didn’t mind. I liked to watch my breath drift away in clouds through the night sky.
My horses, Cupid and Vixen, had long shaggy hair. The snowflakes would get caught in their mane, like little bits of winter magic. Their breaths made even bigger clouds than mine, and the lamplight made everything glow in this magical way. The streets and cobblestone shimmered under the snow. The snowflakes sparkled, like bits of crystal drifting in the wind. It was a perfect Christmas Eve.
On the side of the road, people were out caroling. The traditional songs filled the night air. “Jingle Bells” and “Hark, Hear the Bells,” all the classics. My town was small, so we don’t get many carolers at Christmas. Just a handful of people who do it every year. And that’s when I had a great idea. I pulled my sleigh over and looked down at the cold carolers. They looked up at me, holding their candles in shivering hands. They wore old-timey clothes, like cloaks and capes, but that didn’t look to be helping them much in the cold.
“Merry Christmas, Carolers. I’ve got an idea you might like. How about we spread your songs all around town.”
“What do you mean?” One lady asked me.
“Let’s make Jingle Bells come true. We’ll ride around in my sleigh, and you can sing carols for the whole town!”
The snow started to fall harder, gathering on the brim of my top hat. The whisper of wind filled our ear.
“I don’t think it’s a bad idea. We’ll get to sing for everyone this way.” One caroler said.
“Yeah! And it’s Christmas. Who doesn’t want to sing and ride in a sleigh on Christmas?”
And so, everyone climbed into the back of my sleigh. It wasn’t very big, but it was enough to hold six people at least. Cupid and Vixen didn’t seem to mind. They were big horses, more than enough to pull a whole wagon. And when I shook the reigns, the carolers began to sing a beautiful song.
“O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared, and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine o night
O night divine
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine o night
O night divine
Ooh yes it was
Ooh it is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, yeah
It was a holy holy holy, oh oh oh”
And when their song was done, we all looked into the sky and saw something beautiful. It was just like the song. The stars in the sky were shining over our heads, and the moon was so big and bright that it was almost close enough to touch. We rode into the center of the town square, where the Winter Festival was going on. People were dancing in the snow, the smell of fried food was in the air, and everyone was celebrating. I was supposed to give rides around the square in my sleigh, but now I had a different idea. There was no music. And I had just the solution for that.
“Hey, Carolers. Sing it.”
And they did. Standing up in the back of my sleigh, we rode in circles through the crowd of people as they sang into the night. And it was a very merry Christmas.
“Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Silent night! Holy night!
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the Savior is born!
Silent night! holy night!
Son of God love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.”
THE END
Chapter 4: The Christmas Gift
I live with my big brother in San Francisco. It’s a nice place to live, but it doesn’t get much snow during Christmas. Mom and Dad live far away, across the sea. That’s where they work. I don’t know why they work so much, but that’s okay. Because I love my big brother. He’s the best. Always there for me, always protecting me. And always buying me lots of tasty treats.
That’s why Christmas is the best. We always get lots of sweets and food, and the apartment gets filled with Christmas lights. Sometimes we spend two whole days decorating our home, covering it in the colorful light. We like to hang them all over the place. Wherever we can, however we can. I remember one year we hung up on the ceiling fan. It was Christmas, and we weren’t going to be using it. But then on Christmas Eve, my brother tried to turn on the fan, and he pulled all the Christmas lights down! It was funny. We laughed about it all night and stayed up until midnight decorating all over again.
Every year, my brother gets me the perfect Christmas gift. A stuffed dinosaur, or a real, flying helicopter, or a skateboard. He always knows just what I want for the big day. Even if I never said anything. I don’t know how he does it!
Bedtime Stories for Kids Page 2