A Cape Girardeau Christmas Story...

The beginning

~ Editor's Note: The Southeast Missourian recently invited readers to write their own endings to a Christmas story we started. Here's the beginning of the story, along with our favorite three endings, provided by readers.

"Whoaaaaa!" Santa Claus yelled as he guided his sleigh down onto the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge.

The reindeer hooves landed silently atop the well-lit, four-lane concrete pad that was free of traffic. It was shortly after 1 a.m. The nine reindeer shuddered slightly as the cold, thick Southeast Missouri air collapsed all around them. Below, the Mississippi River was partially frozen.

Santa crawled out of his sleigh and walked to the front of the reindeer procession.

"Rudolph? You OK buddy?"

Rudolph let out a violent sneeze.

"Poor fella," Santa said. "You're sick. Your nose is burned out. It's a foggy night and we're only halfway across the United States. We can't make it without you, but I think you've gone far enough tonight."

Santa thought to himself. He hadn't been in this kind of pickle since Rudolph was a young lad.

"Aha! I know just what to do," Santa said softly.

He pulled out his cell phone and called...

---

Ending #1

Coming in for a landing on the Bill Emerson Bridge, the wintry Mississippi had chunks of ice like cubes you find in the fridge.

"Rudolph, old buddy, what's wrong? The light from your nose is all burned out.

"You've given it your best, but you can't go on, of that there is no doubt.

"But we are here in the City of Roses. Let's see what we can do. We'll use my cell phone to call someone to take care of you.

"They have good medical here, hospitals that are great. There are doctors here who really rate.

"We'll need someone to take us, so let's call the city's finest. Whenever someone is in trouble, they take the time to show their kindness."

Not only did the police come, but the firemen did, too.

"Look there, Rudolph, they're coming to take care of you!"

The paramedics took care of Rudolph, while the sleigh was mounted on the fire truck. The police escorted Santa and the reindeer, so no longer were they stuck.

After the doctors took care of Rudolph, the nurses bandaged his nose with silk. Then Santa said. while rubbing his belly, "Is there some place I can get something besides cookies and milk?"

"Oh, Santa," they all said. "Of course you can get something to eat. We have all sorts of food and snacks. And afterward you can get a treat.

"Everything from pizza and subs, to steaks and other fine eating. You'll feel just like you're at home, 'cause they'll welcome you with a warm greeting.

"Come spend some time with your friends watching the games at the local bars. This town is a really friendly place where everyone is a star."

"It's almost time to go!" said Santa "But I've got to refill my sleigh. I've got to get some more games and toys, so all good children can play."

So Santa filled his sack once more and thanked everyone as he got ready to say goodbye. With Rudolph leading his team once more, Santa was ready to fly

"On Dancer, on Prancer!" Santa shouted. "Hey Rudolph, let's giddy up and go. Thanks so much for your kindness and good wishes! Merry Christmas, Cape Girardeau!

~ -- Gabriel Gonzalez, Jackson.

---

Ending #2

... 911. The Cape Girardeau Emergency Services dispatched an ambulance without delay. While waiting, Santa carefully moved all the reindeer and his sleigh full of goodies to a nearby gas station parking lot.

The ambulance arrived in a hurry and after examining Rudolph, the technicians Ron and Matt, decided Rudolph needed to be taken to the emergency room without delay.

"We have two fine hospitals in Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri Hospital and Saint Francis Medical Center," said Ron.

"But Southeast Hospital is closer," said Matt.

Santa called out to his other reindeer,

"Now Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen, Rudolph and I will be on our way, you stay here, and guard the sleigh."

So Santa and Rudolph were whisked away by ambulance to the Hospital. The emergency room doctor patiently examined Rudolph from head to hoof, but he couldn't find anything medically wrong with the little fellow.

Santa and Rudolph began trudging slowly out of the hospital in dismay. How would they ever visit all the children in the world tonight, without Rudolph's bright nose to guide them? As they walked back through the hospital waiting room, a very sick little boy named Nick, who was clutching a careworn teddy bear, shouted out to Santa and Rudolph.

"Poor little Rudolph, you look so sad. Have my teddy bear, he'll make you feel glad!"

As Santa and Rudolph made their way down Independence Street, Santa noticed a curious thing. Rudolph's nose had begun to glow just the tiniest little bit. But, you had to look really hard to even see it.

On and on they went until a little boy and girl, Lauren and Joe, who were supposed to be snug in their beds, dreaming of sugar plums and waiting for Santa, were instead peeking out of their window hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa.

Suddenly, what to their wondering eyes should appear, but Santa and Rudolph actually strolling down their street. Lauren and Nick noticed that Santa and Rudolph looked very tired, so they called out, "Would you like something to drink that is hot? A cup of hot cocoa might hit the spot!"

Lauren and Joe rushed downstairs and grabbed the hot cocoa they had left out for Santa anyway and raced to the street to share it with Santa and Rudolph.

Santa exclaimed, "Oh, we feel much better, but on our way we'd best be, all the other reindeer are waiting for me!"

Santa and Rudolph hurried on down Independence Street, nervous now as the hour was getting late and they had a long way to go yet this Christmas Eve.

When they paused to catch their breath right in front of St. Mary's Cathedral, Santa took a good look at Rudolph to see how he was doing, and noticed that his nose was a little bit brighter.

Bells began ringing and three small children -- Haley, Ben, and Mariah -- were about to go into the church for midnight Mass. They glanced over and noticed Santa and Rudolph looking so worn out and cold as they rested there.

"Santa and Rudolph, you look so cold, please take our coats to keep you warm. We'll be inside church, safe from harm."

All warmed up by the children's generosity (and coats) Santa and Rudolph went on their way. Santa said, "Only a few more blocks until we catch back up with the reindeer. Hey, Rudolph, your nose is looking much better."

In the meanwhile, three more children -- Anna, Katie, and Thomas -- were on their way home from Connecticut to visit their grandparents in Kelso, Mo., when their car broke down right at the very gas station where Santa's reindeer were waiting. Noticing that the reindeer were looking really hungry, the children climbed in the back of their van and brought out their own Christmas goodies to give to the reindeer.

The sight that greeted Santa's eyes when he and Rudolph finally reached the gas station warmed his heart. There were his reindeer, resting comfortably and well fed by the kind children. And then…

As he turned to hug Rudolph, what should he see, but Rudolph's nose shining bright as could be.

Then Santa realized, what he really knew all along:

Christmas began with a baby, in a manger of hay. God gave us his son, to brighten our day. It is in our daily loving and giving that the spirit of Christmas goes on living.

And so, with Rudolph's nose back to full power, and the reindeer rested and well fed, Santa and his crew flew off into the night to spread the good news of Christmas to all.

~ -- Linda Robert, Cape Girardeau.

---

Ending #3

... Courtney Barlow of Delta, Mo.

"Hey Courtney," said Santa, "do you still have that Rudolph nose?"

"Yes, I do Santa. Do you need it?" inquired Courtney.

"Yes, I do" said Santa. "Rudolph's nose is burned out again!"

"Alright then," Courtney replied. "I will be right over in my sedan. I almost forgot! The batteries in the nose are dead!"

"Oh snap," Santa exclaimed. "I will just call somebody for the batteries. Double A, right?"

"Yep," replied Courtney. "See ya Santa."

"See ya Courtney." Beep.

"Well, now I need to call the Energizer Bunny for the Double A battery."

So, Santa opened his cell phone and put in a call for the Energizer Bunny.

"Hello, this is Santa Claus. Is the Energizer Bunny around?" asked Santa.

"No, I'm sorry," replied the receptionist. "He is teaching his aerobics class for the discharged football players, or the ACDFP."

"But Rudolph's nose is burned out!"

"Oh no," exclaimed the receptionist. "I will transfer you to him."

"Energizer Bunny, you have a call on line one. Energizer Bunny, line one."

Beep.

"Energizer Bunny, I need your help fast!"

"Boom, Boom, Boom."

"Yeah, I need a Double A battery, better make that two, just in case."

"Boom, Boom."

"At the Bill Emerson Bridge over the Mississippi River."

"Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom."

"Thank you, bye." Beep.

Later....

"Ok, Courtney, do you have that Rudolph nose that I wanted?"

"Yes Santa, here it is."

"Energizer Bunny, did you bring me two Double A batteries?"

"Boom, Boom."

"And now to combine them! Yes, it works! Now to put it on Rudolph. Wait a minute! This nose isn't real!

"Well, duh," Courtney replied. "Did you think that I had a magical reindeer nose just lying around?"

"Well, no," Santa confessed. "Well now I will have to call Harry Potter.

"He can make things float and fly around." Then he opens his cell phone and calls Harry Potter. "Hello, Harry, this is Santa."

"Excuse me, who did you say you were?"

"Santa Claus, you know, Kris Kringle, the guy that shakes like a bowl full of jelly."

"Oh yeah, I just didn't recognize your voice."

Santa asks, "Could you help me real quick?"

"Sure, what do you need?"

"I need you to make my sled and reindeer levitate."

"OK. Just close your eyes and count to 10."

Santa does and when he opens his eyes, he sees that he and the reindeer are already above the Bill Emerson Bridge and on their way to finish their deliveries.

Santa exclaims as they fly out of sight, "Thanks Courney, Energizer Bunny and Harry Potter. Merry Christmas to you all and to all a good night."

~ -- Dereck Morrison age 13, Whitewater, Mo.