Eddie The Elk
Eddie the Elk sat at home one day,
He couldn't work and he wouldn't play.
He was discouraged and annoyed,
This sad young elk was unemployed.
He had many interviews,
That always ended in bad news.
He would go but they would say,
"We're not hiring elks today."
Eddie cried, "Oh, what's the use
My life is filled with elk abuse."
His mother said, "There's no excuse,
To lay around like a lazy moose."
"This is not discrimination,
It's about determination.
Now hold your head and antlers high,
You'll find a job, just try, try, try!"
Then she got the paper out.
Took a look, began to shout.
With excitement, read this ad:
"Santa needs ten elks real bad."
"Come tomorrow morn at eight
There's work to do. Don't be late."
Eddie combed his fur real fine.
Even gave his hooves a shine.
By seven a crowd began to meet.
At Santa's home on North Pole Street.
Eddie couldn't believe his eyes,
He was surrounded by little guys.
"Are you a reindeer?" asked the crowd.
"I'm an elk," he said, real proud.
"You're an elk? What can you do?"
"Whatever Santa wants me to."
Eddie stretched up on his paws,
"I came to work for Mr. Claus.
My mother read, to me, his ad.
That said we elks are needed bad."
"Your problem's sure to be your size,
The ad was for us little guys!
Don't be embarrassed that you came,
Cause elks and elves do sound the same.
"Even though you're not an elf,
Please talk to Santa Claus yourself.
I'll take you to him right away.
I'm one of his elves, call me Ray."
And after Ray let Santa know,
Old Santa chuckled , "Ho, Ho, Ho.
Just tell your mother that she needs
To wear her glasses when she reads."
"I'll think of something, until then,
We'll keep you in the reindeer pen.
And maybe you can learn to serve
As reindeer back-up, in reserve."
The reindeer said, "Now, if you try,
We promise you will learn to fly."
There were so many times he fell.
But soon he learned and flew real well.
But elks are heavier, you see,
With antlers like a little tree.
So he was really kind of slow,
Compared to speeds that reindeer go.
Yes, Eddie was a little slow.
His heavy hooves slid in the snow.
And through the ceiling went a hoof.
When landing on the practice roof.
The reindeer didn't seem to care.
Said, "Way to go" and "Hang in there."
But Eddie soon began to fear,
You can't make elk into a deer.
Prancer and Eddie liked to play,
They practiced takeoffs everyday.
Did spins and dips and flips and stuff
They both just couldn't fly enough.
They flew too long and Eddie froze
His ears, his face, also his nose.
When his face thawed, his ears thawed too,
But Eddies nose stayed frozen blue.
It took two days for it to heal,
Then Eddie's nose began to peel.
Prancer said, "My nose peeled, too.
Mines OK but yours turned blue."
And there it was for all to see,
His nose was blue as blue can be.
And It was also very bright,
It made a lovely,
wondrous light.
Whenever Eddie blinked an eye
His flashing nose lit up the sky.
All the reindeer came to see
And have a little reindeer glee.
When Santa saw it, he looked grim.
And Eddies nose began to dim.
He said to Santa, "Are you mad?"
Santa answered, "No, I'm glad."
"For now I know just what you'll be!
You'll be our elk for emergency!
I'm sorry, but I must confess,
At times we lose someone's address."
Sometimes I find, when I touch down,
Several children aren't in town.
If they have moved, we're stuck, you see,
We have a real emergency!"
One who's moved or on vacation,
Means we must find their new location.
When that's done, we'll tell you where,
So you can rush the presents there."
So when we miss a girl or lad,
We never want to leave them sad.
We've always needed someone who,
Could go to them, now we have you."
While we're racing through the snow
Your little sleigh will also go.
But once I give my whip a crack,
I'm out of there, I can't go back.
You can return though, think of this:
Your work will cover what we miss.
Your gorgeous blue nose with that glow
Will safely guide you through the snow.
And when folks see that blinking blue,
All the world will know it's you.
They'll all wave and they will cheer,
"Eddie the blue-nosed elk is here."
So Eddie pulls his little sleigh,
With his helper, the elf named Ray.
His blue nose blinking through the air.
Makes special runs to get gifts there.
Eddie's mom is filled with joy
Because she has a working boy.
She looks out on Christmas night
To wave at each and every light.
And her elf heart is filled with pride.
As her son takes his famous ride.
And then she thinks, "Oh, I'm so glad.
I found that great 'elks wanted ad.' "
So go to bed and dream away,
For soon it will be Christmas day.
We all can rest real well because,
Our Eddie's helping Santa Claus.
~~By Grandpa Tucker~~
