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When Father Christmas Got Stuck In The Chimney

Posted by Jacqueline Richards

Language point: finish this story

Winter, as you know, is always cold and chilly. This particular winter was particularly wintery. The snow had been falling since November and there was so much ice everywhere that it was hardly surprising when Father Christmas's sleigh landed as it did do every year at this festive time, it skid towards the chimney pot and knocked three tiles off the roof. Perhaps one of the reindeer had been drinking a little bit too much sherry and got a little bit too drunk before setting off on the journey. No wonder his reindeer horns looked a bit lop - sided and Rudolph's nose was redder than ever before ! One of the tiles landed on the snowman in the garden and almost knocked his hat off ! Father Christmas had been eating so many mince pies that he had put on a pound or two. His belt was much tighter than last year, he noticed, as he squeezed into his regular red and white Christmas outfit. The buttons burst open almost. The trouser legs seemed shorter. Despite Mother Christmas's busy darning the holes on his Christmas suit all Autumn, parts were frayed, especially at the knees and the patches were soon loosening at the seams, which also had become unstitched somewhat at the edges. But luckily, the Christmas stars were shining bright in the night sky so he was able to read the labels on the children's presents - though his eyesight had deteriorated somewhat since last year and his new glasses slid a bit further towards the end of his nose every time he sneezed "ATISHOO !". Father Christmas hauled a pile of packages into his black sack ... and put them on his back. He huffed and puffed as he made his way along the roof, almost tripping as he stepped over the drainpipe ... Gradually, he reached the chimney pot - which was still covered in clouds of last year's soot. The ice had melted the embers from the fire somewhat and they glowed in the dark. Drip. Drip. Drip. Icy water spilled over the television aerial onto Father Christmas's black boots. As he stepped up to climb into the chimney pot, his size eleven foot slipped and Father Christmas landed on his bottom with a bang. "OUCH !", he cried out in pain as he tried to get back up again. His trousers wripped open, showing his spotty underpants below - now he only had three feet or so to go. Father Christmas took a look down - he saw the fire burning bright and the coals glowing in the hot fire down below - and in he jumped.

Father Christmas's cries awoke all the neighbours. When Father Christmas got stuck in the chimney, there was no setting him free - he really was quite enormous - and had enough parcels for three. Father Christmas took a deep breath in and wriggled with all his might - but it was absolutely hopeless - he only became even more stuck tight. Now only the white bobble on his bobble hat could be seen sticking out of the chimney pot. It wobbled in the wind. The more he squirmed, the more he became stuck. He heaved and heaved and heaved until the chimney pot broke ... bricks splattered everywhere, landing in the snow below. Now Father Christmas only had one place left to go. Down. He asked Rudolph the Reindeer to grease the pot and push him hard - he landed like a shot. The fire burnt a hole in his pants ... and scolded his nose. He landed with such a "BANG !" that the Christmas tree shook - the baubles rattled and the Christmas crackers trembled. Presents, neatly wrapped, landed on his head - Father Christmas picked them all up and put them by the children's beds. He didn't quite fancy getting stuck anymore - so off he headed towards the door. Luckily the door was bigger than before - and Father Christmas stepped through rather than land on the floor.

Activity

Can you finish this story ... where did Father Christmas step through to ?

© Jacqueline Richards 2005


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