The Chimney Dash — Every night in December, Quill checked roof numbers from Santa’s sleigh map, tapped each chimney twice, and smelled for peppermint smoke before waving the sleigh onward. Read the full story →
Every night in December, Quill checked roof numbers from Santa’s sleigh map, tapped each chimney twice, and smelled for peppermint smoke before waving the sleigh onward. He wanted to be the fastest route-runner in the northern village, faster than the wind that snapped at his scarf. Then, one bright, freezing night, he invented Chimney Dash: hop, slide, tag the star, toss the ribbon! “Beat my jingle!” he shouted, boots skidding on frosty shingles.
Because of that, the reindeer followed his wild zigzags over cottages and fir trees, sleigh bells clanging like a runaway band. Because of that, Santa’s gift sack bounced open, and wrapped boxes thumped softly into a snowbank beside the wrong house. Quill’s grin vanished. He chased the trail of bows, leaped onto a brick chimney, and landed beside Santa just as the moon lit the rooftops silver.
Finally, Quill changed the rules: every dash had to end at the right chimney. He called numbers, Santa laughed, and the presents flew true. When the last star-topped tree twinkled below, Quill’s chilly cheeks burned warm; among chimneys, bells, and flying ribbons, he was exactly where he belonged. If you spot him next Christmas Eve, dare him to beat your jingle.
