Monday, December 9, 2013

Roger the Reindeer - Contest Entry


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I'm posting this Christmas story, ROGER THE REINDEER, as my entry into Susanna Hill's latest Holiday Mishap contest (click the link to read more contest entries). The challenge was to write a story of 350 words or less that had something to do with a holiday mishap, mix-up, miscommunication, mistake or potential story. I think this fits the bill.

Here's my story:

ROGER THE REINDEER – word count 306
 
“Are you ready, Rudolph?” Santa asked.

“Ready, Santa,” Roger said.

Roger pranced proudly beside Santa. The fake, glowing nose Roger had rigged up must be working if Santa didn’t suspect anything

Roger was tired of Rudolph getting all the attention. First, everyone made fun of his nose. Then, everyone thought it was wonderful he could make his nose glow. Roger had been working his way up the ranks to be on Santa’s team, and then Santa chose that upstart Rudolph.

Roger had put Rudolph out of commission by lacing his oats with sleeping potion. Rudolph wouldn’t sleep all night, but by the time he woke up, it would be too late. Roger would be flying high through the skies, pulling Santa’s sleigh.

“I need you to line up with the rest of the reindeer.” Santa led Roger in front of Dasher and Dancer. As he was about to snap the lead in place, he said, “Rudolph, what’s wrong with your nose?”

“I don’t know, Santa. What’s it doing?”

“Your nose is blinking. Shouldn’t it just be glowing ?”

“Um…” Roger stammered. He scrunched up his face “Is that better?”

“No,” Santa said, as with a spit and a sputter, the light in Roger’s nose went out.

“What’s wrong Santa?”

“Your nose. It’s not glowing anymore.” Santa leaned over Roger. “It looks like there’s something on the end of it.” Santa touched it. “What’s going on?” When the fake nose slipped off, Santa asked, “Who are you?”

“I’m...I'm...um... Roger.”

“Where’s Rudolph?”

“He’s asleep in the barn.”

Pointing at some elves, Santa said, “Go get Rudolph.” To Roger he said, “I’ll deal with you later.”

When Santa took off with Rudolph in the lead, Roger hung his head, ashamed at what he’d done. “It sounded like a good idea at the time,” he said to himself.

25 comments:

Teresa Robeson said...

LOL! Am ambitious reindeer! Too funny. Poor Roger; his turn will come.

whodatkcat said...

Aww Roger just needed some attention.

whodatkcat said...

Aww...Roger just needed some attention. LOL

Cathy Ballou Mealey said...

Oh he's going on the NAUGHTY list for sure!

Sheila Renfro said...

Poor Rudolph! I feel sorry for Roger too though.

Sheila Renfro said...

Poor Rudolph, but I feel sorry for Roger too. He just wanted to be Santa.

DonnaLouise said...

Baaaddd Roger. He just needs some love. Thanks for a 'darker' holiday story, Christine. ;0)Happy Holidays to you and yours! - Donna Sadd

Yvonne Mes said...

Ah that poor Roger! I hope there is a sequel to this story. 'Roger and Rudolph lead the way'.

Michelle Heidenrich Barnes said...

Sometimes the shame is punishment enough. Hope Roger learned a valuable lesson and will be back next year!

Christine M. Irvin said...

Thanks to everyone for stopping by and sharing their comments. This has been a lot of fun!

Linda H. said...

I hope Roger learned his lesson.

Julie Rowan-Zoch said...

Little stinker! Very funny!

Unknown said...

Poor Roger! I guess he learned 'Never lie to Santa'!

Linda said...

Very funny, a truly creative reindeer,excelling at causing trouble!Enjoyed it a lot!

Susanna Leonard Hill said...

Oh, poor Roger! He tried so hard! It must be awful for him in Rudolph's shadow. I'm afraid he's going to wind up on the naughty list, though :) Thanks so much for joining in the holiday fun!

Jennifer said...

Oh, that trickster, Roger! I wonder how they got Rudolph to wake up... probably needed extra coffee to get through the night. Fun :)

Vivian Kirkfield said...

Oh my...great job surprising me with that ending, Christine.:) I'm thinking Roger is not done with his shenanigans...I wonder what he'll try next year? Wonderful story...well done!

Penny Parker Klostermann said...

"You better not cry,
You better not pout."
...And you better not sabotage Rudolph!
I think Roger's getting coal in his stocking!
Cute entry, Christine.

clarbojahn said...

Roger IS pouting. and after trying to sabotage Rudolf, too. Shame shame.

Merry Christmas, Christine! :)

Unknown said...

Poor Roger can't get a break, LOL! Cute story! :)

Unknown said...

Poor Roger - he can't get a break, LOL! Cute story! :)

CA Clark said...

a good idea at the time just landed Roger in a lot of trouble. Hope Roger gets his chance to shine. good little story here.

Anonymous said...

Ha ha ha! I LOVE this! :D

Robyn Campbell said...

Hahaha, you gotta love Roger! What a super de duper character. This has got to be a picture book. The tale of Roger and Rudolph. Great entry!

Buffy Silverman said...

Poor Roger...hope he gets to shine next year!