Entry for Susanna Leonard Hill’s 14th annual 2024 Holiday Writing Contest
Rules: Write a maximum 250 word children’s holiday story (children here defined as age 12 and under) about a Holiday Mystery!
THE LAST GIFT
By Daniella Kaufman
Word Count: 249
The sleigh was parked. The sun had set.
But Christmas wasn’t over yet.
A gift remained for Santa’s elves.
The last of all upon the shelves.
Mysterious and wrapped just so—
What could it be? They had to know!
The gift was stamped with Santa’s seal.
“Don’t Peek!” it warned in curly teal.
So Holly hugged the box and swayed
to listen to the noise it made.
Her pointy ears picked up the sound—
THUNK. THUNK. THUNK.
“I think a doll is rolling ‘round!”
Up next came Tinker, tools in tow.
He eyed the gift and chimed, “I know!”
He flipped the box to analyze
dimensions, weight, and ribbon size.
New noises sounded each rotation—
KER-PLUNK. KER-PLUNK. KER-PLUNK.
“Conclusion: Mugs for elf hydration!”
Last came Jingle, bold and spry,
a glint of mischief in his eye.
He spun the box atop his thumb.
Rap-tappy-tapped it like a drum.
Then pressed the present to his ear—
CLICK-I-TY. CLICK-I-TY. CLICK-I-TY.
“A thousand blocks! The answer’s clear!”
When Santa called, “The wait is through!
Unwrap the present saved for you!”
the elves rejoiced and rushed with glee
to open up the gift to see
a doll? Or mugs? Or blocks? No! It’s . . .
GASP. GASP. GASP.
a chocolate Santa!! . . . cracked to bits.
“Oh deer! Snow way!” The three elves cried.
But Santa winked and soon replied,
“Ho-Ho! I see this tasty treat
has been prepared for us to eat!”
The elves all grinned and shared a bite.
The final gift of Christmas night.
Daniella Kaufman 