The origins of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Once upon a time, there was a little reindeer named Rudolph. He was only just 3 months old, so he wasn’t too smart. One day, near Christmas time, he went to his living room to ask his father a question. “Papa, why are reindeer going to the North Pole?” asked Rudolph, curiously. “Because, Rudolph,” answered Rudolph’s dad. “Eight reindeer were signed up to go to help Santa Claus fly his sleigh through the sky on Christmas Eve to get to every good boy and girl through the night.” “But, Papa,” asked Rudolph again, even more curiously. “Why on Dec. 1?” “So they have more time to get warmed up and play reindeer games,” answered Rudolph’s dad. “Well, I want to do it!” said Rudolph, excitedly. “I’m sorry, Rudolph,” said Rudolph’s dad. “But you’re not old enough.” “What do you mean?” asked Rudolph. “I mean,” answered Rudolph’s dad. “That you must be 16 or older to join the group.” “Oh.” said Rudolph. “Okay!”

Years passed, and Rudolph was 17 years old. “I think I’m ready, Dad!” said Rudolph, excitedly. “Well, you are 17,” said Rudolph’s dad, thinking. “Okay, Rudolph, you can go.” “Thanks, dad!” Rudolph said, excitedly as he ran out the door. Rudolph got to a gateway. “Can I have your name, please?” asked a worker at the gateway. “Rudolph,” answered Rudolph. “Did you bring any metal?” asked the worker. “Just my collar,” answered Rudolph. “Here you go. Okay, you’re good to go,” said the worker. Rudolph walked through the gateway, and suddenly, to his surprise, Rudolph started flying! All around him was glittering brightly. The gateway gave Rudolph his magic to help him fly. Rudolph whooped like he was on a roller coaster! He started doing loop-de-loops and twirls and other sorts of tricks. But, Rudolph wasn’t looking where he was going, and then, suddenly, he ran into a tree! “Ow!” said Rudolph, in pain. But, then he realized that a red light got onto his nose and stuck to it like glue! Rudolph was struggling to get the light off of his nose, but it wouldn’t budge. “Come on! Get off!!!” said Rudolph, struggling. “What’s going on out here?” asked a lady coming to check the noise. Rudolph didn’t want to be seen, so he carried on. The lady noticed the tree. “Uh oh!” said the lady. So, she fixed the tree. Rudolph was still trying to get the light off. He tried tapping it loose. But, then, the light glowed. “Ooh.” exclaimed Rudolph. “That’ll be helpful!”

Rudolph continued his journey and arrived at the North Pole. An elf named Clyde noticed Rudolph coming. “Sir, we got another reindeer coming.” Clyde told Santa. “The first reindeer in 46 years!” “Ho, ho, ho!” said Santa, with joy. “That will help us!” “Oh no!” said Rudolph in his head. “I hope he and the reindeer think that the light is my real nose!” Rudolph landed near Santa. “Hello, little reindeer!” said Santa to Rudolph. “That is an excellent nose! If it’s able to glow, it’ll help!” Rudolph couldn’t believe his ears! Santa actually thought the light was his real nose! “Thanks, Santa! My name is Rudolph!” said Rudolph, excitedly. “Well, you have an extraordinary nose, Rudolph!” said Santa. “Why don’t you go introduce yourself to the reindeer, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen?” “Okay, Santa.” said Rudolph. “I hope the reindeer think the light is my real nose,” said a worried Rudolph, in his head. Luckily, the other reindeer did think that the light was Rudolph’s real nose… but, not in the way he expected.

“What is that?” asked Dasher to Dancer. “What is what?” asked Dancer. “That nose!” answered Dasher. “It looks like a bee stung his nose!” “Hi, my name is Rudol…” began Rudolph, before being interrupted by Cupid. “Kinda looks like a pimple to me,” said Cupid to Vixen. “Anyways, my name is Rudo...” began Rudolph, before being interrupted again by Blitzen. “It kinda looks like a big cherry,” said Blitzen to Prancer. Rudolph started to cry. He went to see Santa. “Santa, I think the reindeer don’t like me,” said Rudolph, sobbing. “Why not?” asked Santa. “Well, Dasher said that my nose looks like a bee sting. And Cupid said that it looks like a pimple. And Blitzen said it looks like a big cherry.” explained Rudolph. “Oh, Rudolph,” said Santa. “Your nose is what makes you special. Just ignore them.” “Okay.” said Rudolph. “I’ll try.” Every year, Rudolph was told to go at the back by the reindeer. He did so. The reindeer never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games.

Then, one Christmas Eve, Santa took the reindeer on a test run. But, it was foggy, so they had a hard time seeing. They would always run into things again and again. But then, Santa had an idea. He went to Rudolph. “Rudolph, *does* your nose glow?” asked Santa. Rudolph nodded “Yes”. “Great! Can you guide my sleigh on this foggy night?” asked Santa. “Really? Yes, please!” “Okay!” said Santa. “Let’s go!” “But, Santa, his nose makes him look ugly!” said Dancer. “His nose is what makes him special!” said Santa. “Back into positions!” Dancer did what he was told. Rudolph got to the front. The test run was a success! “On, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen! And the newcomer, Rudolph!” said Santa. They dashed on and got from house to house and Rudolph tapped his light and it glowed bright. The other reindeer noticed it, and rethought what they said about Rudolph. When the mission ended, the reindeer arranged a meeting with Rudolph. “We’re sorry about what we said about you,” apologized Dasher. “It’s okay,” said Rudolph. “Oh, by the way, we didn’t catch your name!” said Vixen. “I’m Rudolph!” said Rudolph. “Well, welcome to the team, Rudolph!” said Blitzen.

Alexander MacDonald

Grade 4

West Royalty Elementary School