Download the audio of Christmas in Iceland (right click link, save as)

Jason and his parents spend Christmas in Iceland – a wonderful country where ice and snow are guaranteed, and there are volcanoes too. But Jason is not happy. He’s heard that Santa doesn’t visit Iceland – and what use is Christmas without Santa? And it’s true, they don’t have Santa there – but they do have 13 Christmas Imps who bring presents. Well that’s what their Icelandic friend says – but Jason doesn’t believe a silly story like that – even when presents start arriving.

Bertie’s story is based on the Icelandic tradition of Gryla and “The Christmas Boys”.

Picture of Gryla by Salvor Gissurardottir (creative Commons).

Read by Natasha. Duration 22.51

It was December. Jason and his family were in the Airport. The loud speaker announced:

“Last call for Flight IC 377 to Reykjavik. All passengers due to board this flight, please make your way to departure gate 42.”

And Dad said: “Bags of time yet. I still need some duty-frees.”

And Mum said: “Just wait here while I pop to the loo”.

And Jason waited. And when mum and dad both finally got back, they all had to run to catch the plane. They were the last on board – “as usual” – thought Jason.

When eventually they were in the air above the grey clouds of London, Mum said to him:

“What a sad face you have? Aren’t you excited to be spending Christmas in Iceland? Why there’s ice and snow guaranteed – and volcanos too…. ”

“Well yes,” said Jason, “but..”

“But what?” asked Dad

“But Santa doesn’t go to Iceland does he?” said Jason. “What’s the point of spending Christmas in the one country where Santa doesn’t visit. Even if there’s ice and snow and volcanoes, Christmas isn’t any use without Santa.”

Mum and Dad both laughed.

“Why of course he visits iceland,” said Dad. “It’s practically next door to where he lives. It’s his very first stop on his round-the-world tour every Christmas. ”

Jason tried to look cheerful:

“Is that all right then?” asked Dad, “Because you don’t look completely convinced.”

And Jason said:

” Molly at school told me that Santa doesn’t like Iceland and he never goes there.”

“Ha ! don’t believe every bit of idle gossip you hear in the playground. Why would Santa not want to go to Iceland ? His Reindeer love ice and Snow. It’s hot places like Australia that they find difficult.”

And even though Jason knew that Dad wasn’t always right about everything, he decided to believe him this time, because what he said sounded like it was true. And by the time they landed, he was feeling excited about Christmas in Iceland.

And it was true that Iceland was an amazing place. They stayed with dad’s old University friend – whose name was Magnus. He lived on his own Reykjavik, which is the capital, and he even though he was dad’s age, he seemed quite young and friendly, and he quite often said funny or interesting things.

He told them that by law, all icelandic houses must be built strong enough to withstand earthquakes. And all the hot water in Icelandic homes came straight out the ground, already hot. And sometimes farmers would dig up potatoes in the fields that were already cooked.

And Magnus and his girlfriend took Jason and his family out for drives and walks to see frozen lakes, icy glaziers, and bright red streams of boiling lava from the volcanos.

At that time of year, the sun only rose at 11 in the morning – and it set by 4 in the afternoon. But sometimes when they were really lucky, they saw great beams of green, yellow and blue light that curved round the sky like giant flames – and those were the famous Northern Lights. They were fantastic – 100 times better than fireworks on bonfire night.

But it was only after they had been there a couple of days, that Jason remembered to ask Magnus if it was true that Santa really did visit Iceland.

They were just finishing dinner, and Jason’s mum laughed: “He’s been ever so worried because somebody told him at school that Santa doesn’t come here. ”

And Magnus looked very grave and said.

“That’s right. He doesn’t.”

And Jason felt the blood run cold out of his cheeks and he thought he might be sick.

“Oh, don’t joke about Santa,” said mum, “Jason’s deadly serious about him.”

“I’m not joking,” said Magnus, “But don’t worry, Jason, because we are very lucky here. We have thirteen little imps who do Santa’s work for him – and if you are interested, I’ll tell you the story.”

And Jason was very interested, because he thought Magnus was good at telling stories. And this is what Magnus told them.

A long time ago, when Santa first got into the toy business, he set up his factory in the mountains of Iceland. He married an icelandic girl called Gryla, and they had thirteen sons – all impish boys – who used to help them in the factory. And they also had a black cat, who grew and grew until he was simply enormous. For a while Santa was very happy. Every Christmas, children would make their way up to his special toy shop, and Santa and Gryla would hand out presents.

But one Christmas Day, when Santa finished work, he went to look in the Kitchen cupboard for something warming to drink. And to his surprise, he found that the door to the cupboard was locked. And as he shook and rattled the door, he heard a sound from within, – something like children crying. Santa always had a hammer and chisel in his belt for making toys – and he took those out and broke the lock on the door. And inside the cupboard, he found six little children, who shrank back in terror from him.

“Yo, ho ho,” he said. “Don’t be frightened. It’s only me, Santa, and I like little children.”

“You like us for dinner, you mean,” said one little girl.

“Perish the thought ! No, no no. I like to make toys and bring them to children as presents, ” he said. “Even naughty children get a present from Santa – and don’t believe anyone who tells you different.”

And gradually the children came out of the cupboard, and explained that they had come to the factory for their christmas presents, – but they had been caught like mice by a giant black cat, who had picked them up by their collars brought them to this cupboard. Then Santa’s wife, Gryla, and had locked the door and said that they would be served for Christmas dinner because they had been naughty children.

And when Santa heard this story, at first he didn’t believe them because it was so terrible – but then Gryla came into the Kitchen and was furious with him for sneaking into the cupboard and letting their Christmas dinner escape before she had a chance to cook it.

And that was how Santa learned that his wife had turned into a child-eating troll. So of course he had to leave her. He moved to Lapland, and took his reign deer with him. But his thirteen Impish boys stayed behind in Iceland and carried on making toys in the factory. Children didn’t come to the factory anymore, because it was too dangerous, and so every christmas the imps came to all the houses of Iceland with presents.

Only they didn’t always bring nice presents. If a child had been naughty, they left a potato instead.

And because they were imps, they also liked to steal things from the house, especially food.

And Magnus said that as it was December the 12th, the first imp, whose name was Gully, was due to visit that very night, and what he liked best was sheep’s milk, so they had better leave some out for him. And if Jason left his shoes on the window cill, he might find a present inside them the next morning.

So they left out some sheep’s milk, and Jason’s shoes, and in the morning the milk was gone.

And inside Jason’s shoe there was:

A potato.

“Too bad,” said Dad. “You should have done your homework better. Now you’re getting potatoes for Christmas”.

“That’s Rubbish !” said Jason. “I don’t believe in those imps. It’s just your idea of a joke. You told Magnus to make up that silly story. ”

But Magnus swore that it was a true story. And he said that that night, they would be visited by Stubby, who liked to drink warm milk. So they left some warm milk out for Stubby,and Jason again put his shoes on the window cill.

And in the morning, the warm milk was gone and inside his shoe jason found

- A bar of chocolate.

And Jason ate the chocolate. But it he still didn’t believe the story about the 13 Christmas imps. He thought it was just Dad and Magnus playing a trick on him.

And the following night, Magnus said that they would be visited by Itty Bitty,and that he was very small and would sneak into the kitchen like a mouse and steal any crumb that he could find.

And in the morning, Magnus said he was sure that Itty Bitty had been and had nibbled some cheese and biscuits.

And in his shoe, Jason found – a toy car.

He liked the car. But he still didn’t believe in the 13 Christmas imps.

And the following night, Magnus said that they would be visited by Pot Scraper, who was extremely thin, and was so hungry that he would steal any left-overs or scraps. And instead of clearing away his plate after dinner, Magnus left it on the table, and in the morning it was licked clean.

And next to his shoe, Jason found a book about famous footballers – he read the book, – but still he didn’t believe in the 13 Christmas imps.

And the following night, Magnus said that they would be followed by Bowl Licker. And he left out a red wooden bowl that his girlfriend had used to make a chocolate cake. And in the morning it was licked clean.

And next to his shoes, Jason found a little wooden helicopter with blades that went round by solar power. He had seen one of those when he had been out shopping with mum in London – and he remembered how mum had said what a great idea it was to learn about renewable energy – and he reckoned that she had brought it with her to Iceland.

And although he thought the solar-powered helicopter was interesting, he still didn’t believe in the 13 Christmas imps.

And the following night Magnus said that they would be visited by Door Slammer. And while Jason lay in bed. he heard all the doors in the house slamming, one by one – and it was really creepy. But he thought it was just dad and Magnus playing a trick.

And in the morning, beside his shoe, he found a DVD of Kung Fu Panda. And he watched the DVD, but still he didn’t believe in the 13 Christmas imps.

And the following Night Magnus said that they would be visited by Skyr Gobbler. He explained the Skry was like yoghurt. And so he left some Skyr out for the imp. And in the morning it was gone.

And beside his shoe, Jason found – a racing car set, with tracks, and electric stunt cars that could loop the loop in mid air.

And Jason though that the present was really cool. But still he didn’t believe in the 13 Christmas imps.

And that night, Magnus said that they would be visited by Sausage Snatcher, who was really old and wrinkly, and whose face was dirty and sooty. He was good good at climbing into the rafters of the house where in old days they used to hang sausages. And so Magnus left a sausage up in the loft for him.

And in the morning, the sausage was gone. And in his shoe, Jason found :

A tangerine.

And Jason ate the tangerine. But he still didn’t believe in the 13 Christmas imps.

And that night, Magnus said that they would be visited by Window Peeper. He said that he would be looking through the windows to see what he could steal. So he left out some chocolates on the table.

And that night, as he lay in bed, Jason heard a noise at the window. And he got up and drew the curtain, and expected to see Dad or Magnus.

But instead he saw a huge black cat. It’s green eyes stared at him, and then it disappeared into the shadows. Jason thought that was rather creepy.

And in the morning, the chocolates were gone, and by his shoes, Jason found:

Two tickets to a West-End show And Dad said that the imp must have left them for mum. So Jason gave them to her and she was really pleased.

But still Jason’ didn’t believe in the 13 Christmas imps – because how would they know that mum wanted to see “Love-Story on Ice?”

And that night, Magnus said that they would be visited by Doorway Sniffer. He liked to hang around by the kitchen door, sniffing for the smell of fresh bread. So he left a loaf of crusty bread on the table. And in the morning it was gone.

And by his shoe Jason found :

A large deer-stalker hat, and Dad said that the imp must have left it for him, and he was really pleased.

But still Jason did not believe in the 13 Christmas imps, because how would they know that Dad had terrible taste in clothes?

And that night Magnus said that they would be visited by Meat Hooker, who liked to dangle a hook down the chimney and catch any ham or fish that was smoking there. Magnus didn’t have a chimney, but he left a lamb chop out on the kitchen table for him, and in the morning it was gone.

And in his left shoe, Jason found:

A 16 Gigabyte Mp3 player – and he thought that was pretty cool. But still he wasn’t sure about the Christmas imps – because how would they know that he had asked Santa for an MP3 player?

And that night would be Christmas Eve. And Magnus said that they would be visited by the last of the imps, whose name was Candle Snatcher, and he liked to steal light bulbs, and so he left a 50 watt bulb on the kitchen table for him.

And Jason thought that he would finally prove that the 13 imps didn’t exist. He would get up in the night, hide by the kitchen door, and catch Dad or Magnus red-handed as they stole the light bulb off the table.

And so that night he stayed awake. And when it was really, really late he reached over to turn on the lamp by his bed – but it didn’t switch on. “That’s strange”, he thought. The bulb must have broken. He crept onto the landing, and down the stairs, and as he was next to the kitchen door, he heard a noise from within.

“I bet that’s one of them stealing the light bulb,” he said. And so he jumped through the door and shouted “Caught you !” as he flicked the switch of the kitchen light.

But no light came on.

And it was dark inside the kitchen.

“Dad ? Magnus? Is that you?” he asked?

But there was no reply. Just then the sky through the kitchen window turned pale green and the room filled with an eery light.

And by the kitchen table, he saw a little figure. It had a strange, yellow face, with bright cat-like eyes- and pointy ears. In its hand it held a light bulb. The figure started to float upwards and backwards without moving its feet, and in a moment or two it had vanished through the glass of the window – even though it was tripple-glazed and firmly shut.

And in the morning there was nothing by Jason’s shoe.

But he did believe in the 13 Christmas imps.

Download the MP3 Audio (right click, save as)

Christmas is the happiest time of year, but sometimes something terrible happens – like a kid misses it all together.

That’s what happened one year to a girl called Natalie.

Natalie’s life was almost perfect – apart from her annoying little brother called Joe. There was just one thing she didn’t like doing – and that was getting up in the morning. Her Dad was always warning that one day she would miss something important. And one day she did.

But fortunately this is time of year when no problem can’t be solved…. with just a little magic.

Read by Natasha. Duration 14.48.

The Girl Who Missed Christmas:

Once upon a time, there was a little girl called Natalie.

Natalie was six. She lived on a nice house, in a nice street. She had a little brother called Joe, and dog called Marmalade.

And most of the time Natalie was happy.

She played with her friends.

She played with her dog.

Sometimes she even played with Joe – when he wasn’t being annoying.

But there was one thing Natalie didn’t like.

Getting up.

Every morning her Dad would come into her room and say: “C’mon Natalie, time to get up.”

And Natalie would say: “Just one more minute.”

“Now, now, you’ll be late for school,” said Dad.

“Just one tiny minute,” Natalie would say. “Pleeeeeeease…..”

“Now, Natalie.”

“It’s so warm in bed,” Natalie would moan.

And so it went on every morning.

Dad would shout at Natalie to get up.

Mum would shout at her.

And Marmalade the dog would bark.

And Joe would already be up.

And then Mum would shout at her again.

And the dog would bark even louder.

But Natalie just pulled the cover over her ears.

Because Natalie just really, really, really hated getting out of bed in the morning.

“You know, Natalie, one day you’re going to miss something really important because you stay in bed to long,” said Dad.

As it happened, something very important was about to happen. The nights were getting longer, and the leaves were falling from the trees, and soon Natalie was getting very excited because it was getting close to Christmas.

And she had so many different things she had asked for.

She wanted a new game for her Nintendo DS.

And a doll that cried real tears.

And a new DVD.

And lots and lots and lots of things.

Of course, she had to rehearse for the school play – except she nearly missed it because she was sleeping in.

And she had to go and see Santa in the grotto – but she nearly missed that as well because she didn’t want to get out of bed.

“I just don’t what to do about all this sleeping,” said Mum.

But Natalie didn’t care.

If I want to stay in bed, why shouldn’t I? she decided to herself.

So finally Christmas Eve arrived. And Natalie was so excited she found it really hard to get to sleep. She wanted to stay and see if she could really see Santa. She tried ever so hard to stay awake as long as she could.

But eventually, she went off to sleep.

And she slept.

And slept.

And slept.

At one point she heard Dad coming into the room to wake her – but she just rolled over, put the pillow over her head, and went back to sleep again.

Finally she decided she she had been so long in bed that it was starting to get boring.

She pulled away the pillow and looked towards the window.

It was morning.

“Wow, it’s Christmas day,” said Natalie. “I’m so excited.”

She looked towards the end of her bed.

But where was the stocking? she wondered.

Where had Santa left all his toys?

Natalie jumped out of bed, and ran downstairs.

She was quite out of breath – because she’d never jumped out of bed before.

“Mum, Dad, its Christmas,” she shouted.

She glanced around the room.

Joe was playing with a new toy car.

Mum was folding away some used wrapping paper.

Dad was reading a boring looking book with no pictures — in fact, the sort of book Mum gave him every year.

And Marmalade the dog was eating something that looked suspiciously like turkey leftovers.

“Mum, Dad, it’s Christmas,” shouted Natalie, even louder this time.

There was a silence.

Everyone looked at her – everyone that is except Marmalade who was busy eating turkey.

“It’s Christmas…isn’t it?” said Natalie, more quietly now.

“You mean, it was Christmas,” said Dad.

“You slept right through,” said Mum.

“We tried to wake you,” said Dad.

“But, but, but….” Said Natalie.

“I told you you’d miss something important one day,” said Dad.

“It was really good,” said Joe. “We had loads of food, and loads of presents.”

“And I missed it,” wailed Natalie.

And she started to cry.

And cry.

And cry.

“Sorry,” said Dad. “It also means you didn’t get any presents from Santa. But don’t worry, there will be another Christmas next year.”

“It’s not faaaaair,” wailed Natalie.

“But I always told you you’d miss something important if you didn’t get out of bed in time,” said Dad. “Now, help me clear away all this wrapping paper….”

But Natalie just walked out of the house.

She walked through the garden.

And across the park.

When she got there, she cried and cried.

She was so upset about missing Christmas.

And she didn’t know how she could wait for a whole year.

Now, it so happened that it was still very early in the morning.

And the sun was only just coming up, so it was still quite dark.

And at that very moment, Santa was just trudging his way across the sky in his sleigh on his way back to Lapland.

He was very tired.

And so were the reindeer, because they’d been all around the world delivering presents to all the children.

But, even though he was tired, he couldn’t help noticing one little girl sitting on a park bench all by herself.

And crying and crying.

“Whoa there Rudolf,” said Santa. “I wonder what’s wrong with that girl.”

“Maybe she didn’t like her presents,” said Rudolf, who was hungry and tired, and wanted to get back to his grotto to get some food. “Kids today! No gratitude….”

“We better see,” said Santa.

And so he pulled the sleigh down into the park.

“What’s the matter?” asked Santa.

But Natalie was so upset, she just kept crying, and her eyes were so full of water she couldn’t see anything.

“Huh, she’s probably upset because she only got one Nintendo, ten Polly Pockets, and a dozen Barbie dolls,” said Rudolph. “Kids today! When I started this job they were happy with a small piece of wood and an orange. The stuff you have to carry noawadays. It’s hardly surprising my back hurts.”

“Didn’t you like your presents?” said Santa.

Natalie rubbed her eyes, and then looked up.

And she gasped.

Santa was sitting right next to her.

“Oh-my-gosh,” she said. “Is it….you?”

“Shhhhh,” said Santa. “You see I’m not really supposed to show myself to children.”

“We’ll be in trouble for this,” moaned Rudolph. “I told you we should have gone straight home.”

But Natalie gave Santa a hug.

“You see Santa, I slept right through Christmas….and now I’ve missed it.”

“Oh dear, oh dear,” said Santa.

Then he looked towards the house.

“We’ve still got a few things left in the sack,” he said. “So go inside, and check the fireplace in your bedroom in a few minutes.”

“But, but….”

“Just go,” said Santa.

So Natalie stated to walk home.

And Santa went back to his sleigh.

“We’re not doing another delivery are we,” said Rudolph. “Because, that’s overtime, that what that is…I’ll need an extra carrot for that.”

“Oh, c’mon you lazy animal,” said Santa.

And then Natalie came back into the house.

She couldn’t believe her eyes.

Jingle bells was playing on the hi-fi.

Everyone was wearing hats.

And her mum had re-heated some turkey and made some fresh roast potatoes.

“We thought we’d re-start Christmas,” said Dad. “Just for you.”

And Natalie jumped up and down, then ran upstairs.

Because in the fireplace in her bedroom there was stocking bursting with presents – there was a doll with real tears, a princess on a white pony, game for her nintendo, and, finally, after she had opened all the other presents from Santa there was one special one from Dad – An Alarm Clock !

So for the rest of the day, Natalie had the best Christmas ever.

And do you know what?

A couple of weeks later it was the first day of a new term.

Dad came into the bedroom. “Wake up, Natalie. Time to go back to school,” he said.

The he looked around.

“Natalie,” he said, sounding worried. “Natalie..”

But he couldn’t see her anywhere.

Then he heard a voice from downstairs.

So he rushed down to kitchen.

And Natalie was out of bed, had put on her school uniform and brushed her hair, and had made breakfast for everyone.

“I’m never going to be late for anything again, Dad,” she said.

Download the Audio of Big Sister’s Clothes

This is a story about two sisters:

• A Big Sister
• And a Little Sister

The big sister was called Debbie. And the little sister was called Daisy. Debbie was seven. And Daisy was four. And most of the time, they were great friends. Even when Daisy broke some of Debbie’s toys, she didn’t mind too much. And most of the time Daisy didn’t mind being the little sister. But just occasionally, it made her very cross indeed. And this story is about one of those days.

A modern story specially written for Storynory. Read by Natasha. Duration 11.30 minutes.

It started out a pretty ordinary sort of day. It was the holidays, and there was no school, so as soon as the two girls got up, they started playing. They played with their dolls in their room. They went down to breakfast, and played with their eggy soldiers. And then they went out to the garden and played on the swings.

And Daisy decided it was shaping up into quite a nice day. Because the thing she really like best of all was playing with her big sister.

But then it all started to go very wrong.

“Come on Debbie,” said their Mum. “It’s time to go to Girl Guides.”

“Me come too, me come too,” said Daisy, jumping up and down.

“Don’t be silly,” said Mum. “You have to be seven to join the girl guides.”

Daisy felt a bit cross about that.

Still, it would be fun when Debbie got home.

But when Debbie did get home, she didn’t have any time to play.

She had to work on her school project.

“Can I work on my school project?” asked Daisy.

But Mum just laughed. “Don’t be silly,” she said. “You don’t even go to proper school yet.”

And Daisy felt a bit cross about that as well.

After that, it was time for bed.

“I’ll take you up,” said Dad, picking Daisy up off the sofa.

“What about Debbie?” said Daisy.

“She can stay up later,” said Dad. “Because she’s the big sister.”

And that, thought Daisy, is that. Now I’m really cross.

Really, really.

“It’s not fair,” she wailed. “When am I going to be the big sister?”

Dad paused for a second. “Well, never,” he said. “Debbie’s always going to be the big sister, and your always going to be the little sister.”

“But, but, but….”

But Daisy was so cross she couldn’t even finish the sentence.

“That’s just the way it is,” said Dad.

“Night, titch…” said Debbie.

And after that, Daisy sat in bed. And she felt so, so, so angry, she felt she might explode. Never be the big sister, she thought to herself.

“It’s just not fair.”

She was just about to close her eyes when suddenly she saw a fairy at the bottom of her bed.

“Who are you?” she asked.

The fairy skipped across to Daisy’s pillow. “I’m the age fairy,” she said.

“The age fairy?” asked Daisy. “What’s that?”

And then it dawned on her.

“Can you…can you help little sisters who really want to be big sisters?”

The fairy nodded. “But only if they really want to.”

“I really do,” said Daisy. “Really, really.”

And so the fairy skipped into the wardrobe. She waved her wand, and then she pointed to a red dress. “I’ve turned that into Big Sisters Clothes,” she said. “Just put on that dress, and suddenly you’ll be the big sister, and Debbie will be the little sister.”

And then the fairy vanished. And as she closed her eyes and went to sleep, Daisy was wondering what it might be like be the big sister for a change. She was a bit frightened, but also excited…because big sisters seemed to have so much fun.

The next morning Daisy woke up early. She was really excited about being the big sister, so she snuck into the wardrobe and put on the red dress.

And suddenly she was the big sister. “Oh-my-gosh,” she said. “This is so amazing.”

She whirled around a little bit. And then she saw that Debbie was waking up.

And Debbie was the little sister.

“I want to play with you, said Debbie, holding out her favourite Barbie doll.

But just now Daisy wasn’t sure she wanted to play with Debbie. She was enjoying being seven a bit too much.

“In a minute,” she said.

“I want to play with you NOW!” shrieked Debbie.

And then Dad walked into the room, carrying a cup of coffee and a newspaper. And Debbie was crying and crying about how she wanted to play with her big sister, and stamping her foot, and going bright red in the face.

“We, er, just play with her for a bit will you Daisy,” said Dad.

But Daisy didn’t really want to. “But, er, Dad…”

“Great, thanks,” said Dad, walking out of the room.

And so Daisy had to play with her little sister just to cheer her up.

“Daisy, Daisy, where are you?” shouted Mum, running into the room.

“What?” said a startled Daisy.

“You haven’t taken the dog out,” shouted Mum. “She’s barking and barking.”

So Daisy put on her coat, and walked outside with the dog. But the dog was quite strong and was pulling her this way and that, and she was feeling quite cold.

So she was relieved when she got inside, because she was really hungry now and needed some hot breakfast.

“Sorry,” said Debbie, when Daisy arrived at the table. “I thought you’d gone out so I ate your eggy soldiers.”

“Wha, wha, whaaaaaaat!” screamed Daisy.

“Now don’t argue girls,” said Mum.

“But she ate my breakfast,” shouted Daisy.

“Well, she’s only small, she can’t help it,” said Mum. “I’ll get you some museli instead.”

“I don’t like muesli,” grumped Daisy.

“Well, you have to eat it because you’re a big girl, and you have to eat healthy foods.”

“I want a chocolate milk shake,” said Daisy.

“Don’t be silly,” said Mum.

And so Daisy had two spoonfuls of muesli but she really couldn’t eat any more than that because it was yucky.

And when she had finished, she thought she would go out on the swings to play.

“Where are you going, young lady,” said Mum.

“To the swings,” said Daisy.

“Not until you’ve tidied your room,” said Mum.

“Done what?”

Daisy was shocked and horrified. She never tied her room….not ever.

“Go on, quick,” said Mum.

So Daisy trudged upstairs. And on the bedroom floor, Debbie had pulled lots of toys out of their boxes and spread them everywhere.

And now Daisy had to pick them all up.

“It’s so unfair,” she said out loud.

Finally she was finished, and she went back downstairs.

Maybe at last she could go out to the garden and play.

“What about your project?” said Dad.

“My…my….”

But Daisy was speechless.

“It has to be finished by today,” said Dad.

“Just a minute,” said Daisy firmly.

And she went back upstairs to her bedroom.

She went to the wardrobe.

And she took off the red dress.

And put on a little girls dress instead.

So that suddenly she was the little sister again.

“I want to play with you,” she said to Debbie, when she went back downstairs again.

“Oh, I’m busy now,” said Debbie.

“That’s okay,” said Daisy sweetly. “I’ll go and play in the garden by myself.”

She played by herself for the rest of the morning. And decided that being the little sister wasn’t so bad after all.

Download Christmas Writing Competiton Winners.

Natasha reads two very special stories were written by the young winners of Bertie’s Christmas Storynory Writing Competition. As it happens, both stories are about dolls – but the tales are very different. So well done Alisa Pullum and Michelle Dufflocq! And Bertie sends a special commendation to Claire Castle aged 7. He says you are all very talented and hopes that you will keep on writing.

Read by Natasha.

Christmas Miracle by Alisa Pullum

Once upon a time, there was a house on top of a very tall hill. In that house, there lived three little children. There was Matt the oldest, which would always get into trouble with his little sister Erika, and little brother Chris. Matt would go up to Erika and take her most favorite little doll while saying, “Oh Erika! Help me, Help me!” in a squeaky girls voice and prance around her room. Then he would go outside and run around the yard still saying “Please help me Erika! Oh Help, Help!” still using his squeaky girly voice. Chris would always chase Matt and grab Erika’s doll. Then everything would be calm, Erika and Chris would play a little board game, and Matt would sit on the couch and pout all evening long, just because his little siblings had won.

Mother would then come home with groceries and ask them,”how was your day?” Erika and Chris would always say,”It was Ok, I guess.” Just because they didn’t want Matt to get in trouble. When ever Matt gets in trouble he gets yelled at all day, and the next day he won’t even talk, not even one word would come out of his mouth. So every Doll!” day when something bad happens, they would keep their mouth’s shut. But one day Matt did something very bad. He took one of Erika’s dolls, using his squeaky girls voice and pranced around the room, as usual. But when he went out side he gave the doll to his dog, Harold. Harold took the innocent little doll and shook it with his teeth. There was stuffing going everywhere like it was snowing! Oh how Erika screamed and cried,”Down Boy! Give Me Back My Doll!” She begged that for a while until Harold finally let go. The yard was a mess! there was a doll arm there, and a leg here, and the little doll head was right at her feet. Chris could not fix or help with this.

When mother came home that day she saw Erika crying with her doll head in her arms and Chris comforting her. On the couch was Matt laughing and saying, “YES! Victory is mine, all mine!” Then she asked Erika what had happened. “Matt gave my doll to Harold and now I only have her head.” she said moaning with tears. Moms face got red, as red as the burning sun, as red as fire burning clearly in the yard. She went to Matt and grabbed him by the ear. “I’m sure santa won’t give you any presents!” She said. Matt’s ears got scolded with these words and moaned with pain. He was in his room yelling and kicking everywhere!

Three months passed and soon there was three days before christmas. Erika still had her doll head in her arms and had never forgiven her brother after that day. Every night she would prey and say, ” Dear sweet santa, your beard as white as snow, your bells sound as beautiful as a carol, your suit as red as blood, oh please fix my doll.” Then she would go to bed. On Christmas eve, her family came over and exchanged gifts all night long. After the feast, every one went home. So Erika went under the tree and placed her doll head under it and then said, “Dear sweet santa, your beard as white as snow, Your sleigh as sparkly as sun rays, your suit as red as blood, oh please fix my doll.” So she went to sleep and had a very strange dream. It was Christmas and Matt got a large bike and rode it outside all day long. Chris got a cool board game and played it peacefully. But in Erika’s box there was a piece of coal! She woke up terrified and went down stairs to look under the christmas tree. But she did not just see presents, she saw santa holding her doll head! He put christmas dust on it and in seconds the doll had a body with a beautiful dress on it! Even a crown that even she could wear!

Tears of joy ran down her cheeks and before she new it, she was hugging santa clause exclaiming, “Oh, thank you santa! Oh, thank you so much! I knew you would come, I just knew it!” Santa hugged her back and said with a smile, “If you are good I will come with a present just for you. I heard you talking about me so I would like to give you a bell from my sleigh but be careful. If you do not believe me, you will not hear it’s sweet music it would play for you.” More tears of joy ran down her cheeks and she said with joy, “I will always believe you santa. I will, I will!” She hugged him tighter than before and finally let go and when she did, he snapped his fingers and he disappeared while saying, “HO, HO, HO. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!” and he was off! Everyone woke up and Chris got a peaceful board game and played it, Erika got what she wanted, and sadly, Matt got something, but it was a piece of coal! from that day on, everything in that house was peaceful and they all lived happily ever after. Even Matt.

The Ice Doll by Michelle Dufflocq

There once was a little girl named Sunny. She had no brothers or sisters, and at her school everyone teased her. In general she was lonely. But one night on Christmas Eve at exactly mid-night, she wished on a star. Dear star: I would like a friend, the kindest and sweetest friend ever. I would like her for a Christmas present. I do not need anything else. If you grant me this wish, I shall be the happiest girl on earth. And then she went to sleep. The next day was Christmas. There were all sorts of presents to open and lovely things to eat. After that Sunny went outside to play in the snow. She went running all around the yard looking for her friend. Suddenly she tripped on something. Owww! She said, then standing up to go see what she tripped on. It was a small doll; that has about the size of her hand. She was so beautiful yet so dainty and delicate, that she seemed to be made out of ice. You shall be my friend. What’s your name? My name is Sunny, said the girl. My name is Ice, said the doll. Yet her lips didn’t move. Well Ice, said Sunny. We shall do everything that friends do, we shall go ice-skating, we will read books, go to the sea side in when it’s warm again, and play together. Come with me, we shall go inside, said Sunny, picking up the doll.

But as soon as Sunny and Ice were in the house, Sunny notist that Ice was slightly smaller than before. I must be seeing things, thot Sunny.

Sunny and Ice did everything friend do, they read books together, baked cookies together, went ice skating, and played games together. Soon it was time to go to sleep.

By that time the ice doll was about the size of a pea. I shall make you a little bed on my dresser, so you can sleep peacefully, said Sunny. They both got in to bed, and dreamt sweet dreams.

The sun rose and Sunny opened her eyes. She got up, put on her dressing gown, put on her slippers, and ran to go say good morning to Ice. But alas, instead of Ice all there was was a small puddle of water. For Ice was indeed made out of ice. And she had melted during the nights sleep. Sunny looked into the puddle, planning to see her reflection. But instead she saw Ice, with a tear in her eye.

But alas, Sunny’s life continued. She went to school, did her homework, and before she knew it, it was Christmas again. There she was trudging threw the snow, but suddenly she tripped on something. Owww! Said Sunny, and then going to see what it was.

And it was Ice!

by Angharad Lynn

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It was a few days before Christmas. Mum was in the kitchen preparing dinner. Harry and Rosie lay on the living room floor watching TV. I want that for Christmas, said Rosie as a Baby Cry-Cry appeared on the screen. And that, she added as a Magical Musical Mobile appeared. Then an advert came on for a dancing teddy bear. Want that too, said Rosie.

You have to write a list for Santa said Harry. Otherwise he will not know what you want

But I cannot write, said Rosie, who was only three and a half.

Suddenly she had an idea. You write, Harry she said.

Harry groaned. Although he could write, it took him a really long time. He had only just finished his own letter to Santa. I cannot said Harry. It will take too long, ask mum to do it.

- Mum, said Rosie wailing as she made her way to the kitchen. Harry will not write my Christmas list.

—

This Christmas Story about has been written specially for Storynory by Angharad Lynn. Santa has been around for a few years, but he never goes out of fashion . Even the most modern children want to catch a glimpse of him…

Read by Natasha Lee-Lewis. Duration 12 minutes.

It was a few days before Christmas. Mum was in the kitchen preparing dinner. Harry and Rosie lay on the living room floor watching TV. “I want that for Christmas,” said Rosie as a Baby Cry-Cry appeared on the screen. “And that,” she added as a Magical Musical Mobile appeared. Then an advert came on for a dancing teddy bear. “Want that too,” said Rosie.

“You have to write a list for Santa,” said Harry. “Otherwise he won’t know what you want.”

“But I can’t write,” said Rosie, who was only three and a half.

Suddenly she had an idea. “You write, Harry,” she said.

Harry groaned. Although he could write, it took him a really long time. He had only just finished his own letter to Santa. “I can’t,” said Harry. “It will take too long, ask mum to do it.”

“Mum,” said Rosie wailing as she made her way to the kitchen. “Harry won’t write my Christmas list.”

Mum helped Rosie write her Christmas list. When they had finished they put the list up the chimney behind the fire place in the living room. “But how will Santa get my letter?” asked Rosie.

“Doh,” said Harry, who had turned off the TV and was waiting for something to eat. “He sends Rudolf or one of the elves to pick it up.”

“But why doesn’t he come himself?” asked Rosie. “I want to meet him.”

“You can’t meet him,” said Harry.

“Why not?” asked Rosie.

“Because he doesn’t want children to see him,” said Harry.

“But I want to see Santa,” said Rosie wailing. “I really, really want to see him.”

Rosie really really really wanted to see Santa. She talked about it all the time. In the end Mum promised to take her to a department store to see him.

So one morning they set off for the shops nice and early but even though they were early there were still lots of people queuing to see Santa.

“I’m afraid the wait will be two hours,” said a kind looking lady in a smart store uniform.

“Oh no,” said Harry. “We can’t wait two whole hours.”

“But I want to see Santa,” said Rosie.

“It is a long time to wait,” said Mum. “We could just go to the toy department or the café for a cake instead.”

“Yes,” said Harry.

“No,” said Rosie. “I want to wait.”

So they waited and waited and Harry felt tired and hungry and thirsty and bored but Rosie said she would be really sad if they didn’t get to meet Santa.

Suddenly Harry had an idea. He whispered in Rosie’s ear so that Mum wouldn’t hear him

“I know,” he said. “We could trick Santa.” He told Rosie his plan and she thought it was a very good one.
Rosie tugged at Mum’s sleeve. “Actually,” she said. “I don’t mind if I don’t meet Santa. I’d rather have a cake.”

So the children and their mother had cake and drinks and then they went to look at the toys. But they didn’t buy anything because it was so close to Christmas and they would have so much to open on the day.

It was the evening of Christmas eve and Harry and Rosie were laying out a plate of mince pies for Santa. Harry fetched a plate from the cupboard and Rosie carefully placed some mince pies on the plate. Then Harry fetched a carrot from the fridge and put it next to the mince pies.

“Shall we leave out a glass of milk too?” asked Rosie, who always liked a glass of milk herself before she went to bed.

“Yes ok,” said Harry, opening the fridge and getting out the carton.

Harry and Rosie laid out the snacks and then they went upstairs to get everything ready for the trick they were to play on Santa.

Rosie fetched the torch from Daddy’s tool box so that she would be able to see in the dark, Harry fetched Rosie’s skipping rope and put it und the bedclothes.

Harry and Rosie each had their own room but, because it was Christmas Mum and Dad said they could sleep in the same room so Dad had put up the camp bed in Rosie’s room for Harry to sleep on.

Harry and Rosie went downstairs to say goodnight to their parents.

“Can we go to bed now?” asked Rosie.

Mum looked very surprised. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you ask to go to bed before Rosie,” she said.

“I suppose you really, really want your Christmas presents, don’t you?” said Dad, looking up from the newspaper he was reading.

Dad took the children up to bed. They laid out their stockings at the end of the bed. “Shall I read you a story?” asked Dad walking over to the bookcase.

“Actually, Dad do you mind if we don’t have one tonight?” asked Harry. “It’s just we are waiting for Father Christmas.”

“Oh all right,” said Dad, “Now be good and go to sleep. I don’t want to hear you both talking all night.”

When Dad had gone Rosie switched on the torch. She had to be sure not to fall asleep. Otherwise the plan would not work.

The door began to creak. Rosie sat up with a start, she must have been beginning to doze off. But when she switched on her torch she saw it was just Harry going to the loo, not Santa after all.

Rosie lay back down in bed and waited some more. She heard the door begin to open.

“Harry,” she hissed to her brother. He was waiting with the lasso he had made from Rosie’s skipping rope, ready to throw it round Santa so that he could not leave without speaking to them.

The door opened and…mum walked in.

“Hello children, I’ve just come to give you a kiss goodnight,” she said. “Harry what are you doing with Rosie’s skipping rope? It is time to go to sleep.”

After mum had gone Harry and Rosie sat up talking a little longer. Would Santa never come?

Harry opened his eyes. It was still dark outside but the stocking at the end of his bed, which was more of a sack than a stocking really, was bulging. “Rosie,” said Harry shaking his sister. “Rosie, he’s been. We missed Santa.”

Rosie sat up and began rubbing her eyes.

“Oh but I really wanted to meet him,” she said.

Harry got out of bed and switched on the light. “Shall we open them?” he asked, looking at the presents.
Instead of answering Rosie dug her hand into her sack and pulled out a package. She ripped off the paper.

“Oh,” she said. “I don’t want that.”

Harry looked at the football annual Rosie had disgarded. He would have liked that himself.

Oh well. He had his own presents to open.

He ripped off the paper of the first one. A baby cry-cry. No way. “I don’t want this,” said Harry.

Rosie by now had opened her second present – a toy airplane.

Harry’s second present was even worse than the first, a pink dress.

The more presents they opened, the more disappointed the children became.

“Oh well, at least I can eat these,” said Harry pulling out a packet of sweets, as he sat among a dancing teddy bear, a packet of hair clips and a book about fairies.

Mum and Dad came into the room.

“Oh you’re up already,” said Mum. “How are your presents?”

“Awful,” said Harry.

“Horrid,” said Rosie.

“What do you mean?” asked Dad.

Dad looked down at Harry’s pile, and then across at Rosie’s.

“Do you think you may have got the wrong stocking?” said Dad.

Suddenly everything made sense.

Harry leapt with joy onto the Thunderbirds characters, the remote control boat and the football boots. Rosie kissed baby cry-cry.

“You know what Rosie?” said Harry. “we were trying to trick Santa, but in the end I think it was him who tricked us.”