
Image- whistlerblackcomb.com
Happy Holidays!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Folks are shopping and baking and trimming the tree. Me, I’m still in my PJ’s in the afternoon posting my entry for Susanna Leonard Hill’s 3rd Holiday Contest!
This year’s theme is to “Write a children’s story about a Holiday Mishap, mix-up, miscommunication, mistake, or potential disaster (a la Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer :)). Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet, religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate, but is not to exceed 350 words not counting the title.”
So grab a cup of hot cocoa. I hope you enjoy my story…..
HICCAPUFF HEATS UP CHRISTMAS
Everyone in Christmastown buzzed with excitement. Everyone except Hiccapuff. A dragon with hiccups does his best to stay out of the way.
It was Christmas Eve, and Santa was ready for lift-off, but his nine famous reindeer weren’t. They were stricken with the rare reindeer sickness, SleepThroughChristmasItis. Santa’s reindeer were grounded!
“I’ll fly your sleigh, Santa!” shy Hiccapuff volunteered.
“You’re nothin’ but trouble, dragon,” snorted Jingle Elf, Santa’s pilot.
Hiccapuff nervously HICC-A-PUFFED, and torched a snowman.
Jingle rolled his eyes, “See what I mean!”
“He’s our only hope. Let’s fly!” shouted Santa.
WHOOSH. Santa flew down a chimney.
“HICC-A-PUFF!”
Jingle’s pants lit up! “OOH, HOT, HOT, HOT!” He scooted his butt through the snow. “Aim ’em somewhere else!”
Poor Hiccapuff hung his head and hiccupped off the ledge.
“He almost fried me, Santa!” Jingle complained.
“He cleared the streets of snow,” Santa smiled.
But Jingle’s grumbles were all Hiccapuff heard.
As they glided over the ocean, Hiccapuff noticed sad faces watching them pass.
“Ignore them, Hiccapuff,” Jingle snapped.
Instead, he HICCED some PUFFS, rocked the sleigh, and scattered tons of presents.
Eyeglasses settled on Old Whale’s nose. Octopus slid eight slippers on his tootsies. And Dolphin twirled in his tutu!
“You’ve wasted gifts! You’re nothin’ but…”
Santa interrupted, “Hush, there’s work to do.”
Hiccapuff thought Santa was disappointed in him. But Santa realized that the sea creatures should have been on his gift list all along.
They finished delivering presents, and as they soared home through the Milky Way, BOOM, BING, BANG…asteroids blasted the sleigh! Brave Hiccapuff mightily torched them to smithereens! But he got hurt, and the sleigh fell into the sea.
Santa and Jingle awoke in Christmastown. Dolphin and Octopus had towed them home. Old Whale swam poor Hiccapuff to shore on his broad back.
Everyone cheered when Hiccapuff opened his eyes. “Hiccapuff, you saved Christmas and us!” Santa exclaimed.
“I’m sorry I doubted you, buddy,” said Jingle.
The sleepy dragon sighed a happy HICC-A-PUFF… and almost singed off Santa’s beard!
“No worries, Santa. I found my aim tonight!”

Image- Mozartschildren.wordpress.com
If you’re in a gift-giving mood, would you please copy this link and put it on your calendars to vote (just once) for HICCAPUFF HEATS UP CHRISTMAS? Visit Susanna’s blog any time between Monday 12/16 and Wednesday 12/18 by 5 pm EST. You would help this girl have one very happy holiday!
Here’s wishing you and yours a healthy and happy holiday season!

Image- fotosearch
Donna, I had to read this once I saw the title and the delightful name of Hiccapuff. 🙂 What a wonderful story. It’s so imaginative! I love the idea of a dragon with hiccups helping Santa out. How fun to include the sea creatures, too. Great story! Well done.
Thanks so much for your lovely, kind comment, Cheryl. You made my day! :0)
Nice job, Donna. The illustrations will be great on this one. Good luck!
Thank you, Cindy! When I think of illustrations, I always go to the eyeglasses settled on Old Whale’s nose. ;0)
I love it, Donna! So imaginative! Lots of luck to you! 🙂
Thanks, Elaine, and the same to you. Have a very Happy Holiday Season! :0)
Outta this world, Donna! You brought together many of my favorite things: dragon, sea creatures, outer space! Love it!
Thanks, Teresa! After reading your story, I searched our Christmas tree, hoping to find a tiny family cozied up. No dice, but I’ve got enough critters as it is! Happy Holidays! :0)
How adorable! You should have this illustrated 🙂
Thanks, Aria. Sheesh, I know we’ve both had a wacky, crazy month, but I appreciate your popping in, Girlfriend! :0)
Oh my goodness, what an understatement! But my pleasure 🙂
A dragon pulling Santa’s sleigh! I would never have thought of that!
I’m constantly surprised at what pops out of my head, Christine. PiBoIdMo has me going overtime, I think. Thanks for popping in and have a very Happy Holiday! :0)
Aaww! First I laughed and then I cheered for Hickapuff! Excellent writing Donna. I could see your dragon and when the presents fell to the sea creatures I cheered. You’ve put me in a Christmas mood. Thanks so much for sharing your story and I’ll be sure to vote!
I’m all veklempt, Laura. Thanks for the vote of confidence and for sticking with me on my lacking blog of late. I’ve been writing my fanny off! Thanks for voting & tweeting, ’cause the prizes are to die for! :0)
Wishing you and yours health, happiness and prosperity this holiday season.
I second Aria. This would be such an adorable picture book!
From your words, to an agent’s or editor’s eyes! That’s my Christmas wish! :0)
Kids love Christmas and they love dragons–this is sure to be a favorite picture book one day, Donna!
Your kind comment means more than you know, Deb! Thank you. :0)
This would make an excellent illustrated story. I love dragons…and the sea creatures just added more icing on the cake, or should I say snow on the trees. Hiccapuff is my hero. Wish I could have a ride. How about it Santa?
Thanks, Sherry! If Santa lets me take Hiccapuff for a fly, we’ll come pick you up! Happy Holidays! :0)
Awesome. I’ll cross my fingers and toes. ^_^
Cute! I love the name Hiccapuff. Love how you worked in dragons AND asteroids. 🙂
Thanks for your kind comment, Carrie. Happy Holidays! :0)
Delightfully fresh story with a main character who kids will LOVE. Well done.
Thanks for popping by to read Hiccapuff, Michelle. I’m glad you liked it. Happy Holidays! :0)
“torched them to smithereens” made me LOL!
What a funny story Donna!
Thanks, Kathy. I’ve got hundreds of wild birds and guinea hens, and squirrels that I feed. I was hysterical reading your story. That image of the chipmunk still finds me giggling! Happy Holidays! :0)
What an imaginative story. I love it well done!
Thanks, Catherine. I loved your story, but couldn’t find a way to comment, until now. Happy Holidays! :0)
Yeah! Donna! Wonderful story and sooooo funny! The co-pilot elf makes me laugh when his pants catch on fire! Love that the dragon saves the day!
Thanks, Janie! I really appreciated your input. Happy Holidays! :0)
And a great name for more adventures, Donna!
Yes, indeedilly-do! Thanks for popping in, Julie. Happy Holidays! :0)
Creative, clever, and cute. I sympathize with the reindeer, I come down with a case of SleepThroughChristmasItis every year and have to fight through it 😉 Great story!
Hee, hee, hee, don’t we all! Thanks for your kind comment, J. Happy Holidays! :0)
Hilarious, Donna! What a unique replacement reindeer you have come up with.
Thanks, Linda! Happy Holidays! :0)
Hiccapuff may be replacing Rudolph soon!
Thanks for popping in, Juliana. I see Hiccapuff pairing up with Rudolph, like all the others. ;0) Happy Holidays!
What a delightful, imaginative, and original story, Donna! A dragon pulling Santa’s sleigh? Who would have thought of that??!! 🙂 I love that Hiccapuff is kind and sweet and thoughtful – surprising qualities in a dragon 🙂 – and that he did his best to help and ended up saving Christmas! Thanks for a very fun entry! 🙂
Thank YOU for holding this contest, Susanna! It’s a joy to participate, and read all the delightful entries. Happy Holidays! :0)
Love the name…love the story…love the message! Great job, Donna. I’m so glad Hicca’s self-esteem got a well-needed boost. 🙂
Thanks so much, Vivian! Happy Holidays! :0)
The next time I hiccup . . . I’ll think of hiccapuff. 😀
Hee hee, thanks for popping in, NR. Happy Holidays! :0)
What a fun and imaginative story, Donna! A ton of fun. I love the name Hiccapuff! So cute.
Thanks, Penny! Right about now, I’m needing an Elf Emergency Button myself! :0)
Donna, glad I found your entry. I connected with your hiccupping dragon. Great visuals. 🙂
Thanks for finding and enjoying it, Tracy. Just read your Charley and Ollie story and loved it too boot! :0)
Hey Donna!
What a wonderful story that gave me an all around feel good, giggly feeling. I’ll remember hiccapuff for a very long time.
What a lovely thing to say, Robyn! Thank you! :0)
This story eats cake it s’ so yummy. 🙂 love it.
Merry Christmas, Donna! 🙂
Ooh, cake! Thanks, Clarike! Merry Christmas :0)
Very imaginative story, Donna! Hiccapuff saves the day! 🙂
Thanks, Martha! Happy Holidays! :0)
good on Hiccapuff and calm old Santa. great imagination. A fun story
Thank you, Cecilia. I appreciate your popping in to read it. Happy Holidays! :0)
The name Hiccapuff is so much fun to say! Clever, Donna.
Thanks, Wendy! Sorry to be tardy with my reply. I changed phones and was locked out of my blog. Happy Holidays!
Funny! I love it! 😀
Thanks, Erik. I loved your story too!
Sorry to be tardy with my reply. I changed phones and was locked out of my blog. Happy Holidays!
Donna,
I love that a sleigh toting, fire-breathing, empathetic dragon saves Christmas! Very cute story!
Thanks for popping in, Angie!
Sorry to be tardy with my reply. I changed phones and was locked out of my blog. Happy Holidays!
Love those gifts for whale, dolphin, and octopus. Clever tale!
Thanks for reading it, Buffy!
Sorry to be tardy with my reply. I changed phones and was locked out of my blog. Happy Holidays!
Great Article Thanks for sharing ,Donna
Thanks for popping in to read it, Jake. :0)