The Smallest Elf

The Smallest Elf
Lindore the smallest elf,
Upon one Christmas Eve,
Went out walking by herself
Her sorrow to relieve.


She kicked at snow and ice,
Threw rocks and sticks at stumps,
And thought, she did, it would suffice
To rid her of this lump


That lodged within her throat,
And made her voice sound dry.
But left she did before she'd choke,
Or let them see her cry.


She wandered down through dales,
She wandered over lawns.
She wondered if her busy friends
Had noticed when she'd gone.


Oft over-looked was she,
The shortest in her town.
Three times she'd vied for Santa's squad,
And every time turned down.


"Too small and weak to aid
The big man," they had said.
"Santa needs the strongest elves
To help him load his sled."


And so Lindore had left,
And run fast as she could,
And found herself sad and bereft
And lost inside the woods.


The wind sighed through the trees,
And everything was dark,
But when she turned, on trembling knees,
She saw a tiny spark.


She pushed though snow-banked drifts
To reach the burning light,
And when her weary eyes did lift,
Beheld a wondrous sight.


Eight reindeer, hitched in teams,
And one with blinking nose;
And Santa sitting on his sleigh
Dressed in his Christmas clothes.


"Ah, little elf," he boomed,
"I'm glad that you are here.
Come closer, let me see you now.
Yes, even closer, dear."


"What's your name, my darling?"
"Lindore," responded she.
"Lindore, I have a problem.
I need your help," said he.



"I wish that I could help,"
Said Lindore with regret,
"But I am not the strongest elf,
Or tallest you'll have met."


"This obstacle I face,
Is not for someone tall.
This problem's in a tiny space,
So I need someone small,


To crawl around inside
My bag and let me know
If something's happened to divide
My presents' normal flow."





"Maybe I can help you,"
Lindore said with a smile,
As she climbed atop the presents
And dove into the pile.


Santa waited for her;
She climbed out of the bag.
She sat upon his lap and said
"I think you've hit a snag.


Along one of your seams,
You had a tiny rip
And now that hole is big enough
For presents through to slip."


"I should have known," he groaned,
"That something was amiss,
"Whatever shall I do?" he moaned.
"I can't go on like this."


"I can fix it for you,
With needle and some thread.
Or better yet, if you have glue,
I'll paste it up instead."


So armed with new supplies,
And part of Santa's sash,
Lindore with glue and thread devised

A cover for the gash.


Once satisfied it'd hold,
Lindore climbed out again,
And Santa picked her up and held
Her just below his chin.


"I hope you realize now,
The folly of your friends.
They want to judge you on your looks,
Instead of what's within.


But others when they tease you,
Remember this, I pray.
It took the smallest, smartest elf
To save this Christmas day."