MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Everyone was enjoying themselves at the staff Christmas party. The workers all sipped egg nog, ate Christmas cookies, and exchanged gifts. The only one missing was Larry who worked in the Accounting Department. He was always cranky and didn't say much to his co-workers. He hid in his office during the party.

"All ready for Christmas Larry?" "No." "Any plans to visit with friends and family?" "No." "Well, have fun and Merry Christmas! And don't forget about your gift." "What gift?" "The Elf on the Shelf." "No thanks." "But it's not just any elf. It's Samuel Elf Jackson.! "Don't want it" Larry said before walking out of the office.

Larry left without saying goodbye to any of his coworkers. When he got outside, his car was completely covered in snow. "Darn winter! I'm spending the next two weeks inside and as far away from all of this Christmas nonsense as possible." As he drove off, Larry failed to see the tiny little car that was following him back home.

When he got home, Larry warmed up his dinner in the microwave, watched a little TV and by 9 o'clock he was ready for bed. Larry was a heavy sleeper and his snoring kept his dog awake all night. Larry was in such a deep sleep that he didn't see the tiny elf watching him sleep at the foot of his bed.

Larry was enjoying a good night's sleep in his warm bed when his dog started barking uncontrollably. "Go back to sleep Dallas!" But the dog wouldn't stop. Larry woke up to see a little elf staring back at him. "How did this thing get into my home? I'm going to throw it in the trash once and for all." "Hold up!" the elf cried out.

"I hear that you don't like Christmas and that makes me and the other elves sad. So I'm here to spread some holiday cheer by reminding you about all the wonderful things about Christmas. You get to decorate your tree with ornaments and lights. You get to buy gifts for your loved ones and enjoy Christmas dinner together. There are young carolers singing in the streets and......" "Get Out!" "But...." "NOW!"

"That did not go well at all. Guess I'll have to head back to the village and tell the other elves I failed. It's really sad that he's so grouchy about Christmas. Everybody loves it and I'm sure he did too at one time. Oh well. You can't convince everyone that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year."

When Samuel arrived home he was greeted by a couple of sad elves. "Why so glum chums?" "There was a fire at the candy factory. It burned down some gingerbread houses and all of the presents. It looks like we're not going to celebrate Christmas this year." "But we have to! We're elves!" Samuel shouted.

" I'll feed you some breakfast but then I'm going back to bed. Why are you whimpering? That annoying little elf is gone. Do you need to do your business outside? Okay but make it quick. It's freezing outside." Larry put on his boots and hat and took his dog outside.

"Hurry up Dallas! I'm shivering! Where are you going? Bad boy! Get back here!" But the dog wouldn't listen. Something had caught his attention and he ran off into the woods to investigate. Larry had no choice but to go find his pooch. Dallas was Larry's best friend and even though he never said it out loud, he loved that dog more than anything.

Dallas had brought Larry to the elves' village which was in the nearby forest. The pair hid behind a tree and listened in as a group of elves had gathered. They all looked pretty sad. "Christmas is going to have be cancelled this year. I'll have to tell the rest of the elves tomorrow morning" one of the elves sighed. "At least we all still have each other. We'll get through this somehow" Samuel added.