The cabin was warm and cheerful and looked and smelled like Christmas. Hare-iette saw Santa dozing in a chair by the fire. She walked over and called his name. He opened his eyes and threw open his arms for her to come for a hug. Santa introduced Hare-iette to Mrs Santa, who promised that dinner would be ready in a few minutes. She already knew that Hare-iette is always hungry.
By this time, Natalie had come and in showed Hare-iette where to put her backpack. They were going to room together for the night.
Dinner was wonderful, all kinds of things Hare-iette liked and even carrot cake for dessert.
After dinner she climbed on Santa’s lap and asked him to explain what he wanted her to do.
Santa told Hare-iette about a very disturbing letter he’d received from a little boy. It said:
Dear Santa,
Santa sighed and said, “I do believe him. There is a troll around here that fits that description. He plays mean tricks on people and steals things. Several young women have complained that he sneaked up on them and grabbed their hands and tried to get them to come with him. Of course, they screamed and ran away. People are calling him Igor because he’s so mean. They say that when he gets upset, he spins like a top and there’s terrible smell, like burning garbage.”
Hare-iette’s eyes grew wide.
You see, trolls don’t want people to find them. They can smell humans several miles away, so they can either hide or run away. People just can’t catch them.
Hare-iette didn’t know what to say or do.
Hare-iette only hesitated a moment.
Please help me. I want my little brother back for Christmas. I don’t want any toys, just my baby brother. I miss him a lot.
His name is Bobby and he disappeareded on Monday. Here’s his pitcher.
Mom and Pop think a badman got him. The policemans think so to. I know it was a troll that took him. I saw the troll. He’s a little taller than Bobby and chubby with great big feet and wild orange hair. He came in the yard, took Bobby by the hand and led him away. I thought they were going next door to play with the little boy there. But nobody believes me. You believe me don’t you, Santa?
Your friend, Fred
“Oh Santa, that’s terrible. How are you going to get little Bobby back?
“I can’t get him back, Hare-iette, but I think maybe you can.”
“Me??? How Santa? I think I’m afraid of trolls.”
Santa hugged Hare-iette.
“You know I’d never let anything bad happen to you, little hare. A sprinkle of Christmas dust and you‘ll have nothing to worry about.
That’s where you come in, little one. You’re a hare and you smell like a hare, not a human. I can’t send the reindeer or the dogs because they can’t talk to Bobby or the troll. I need someone who can talk to them. So you see, you are a perfect choice, Hare-iette. You smell like a hare but you talk like a person.”
“But…but Santa, what if I mess up? “
“I don’t think you'll mess up, but if you do, we won’t be any worse off then we are now, will we? Ivan will go with you. He knows the woods and he loves you.”
“OK, Santa, I’ll do my best.”
“I know you will, little one. I know you will. We’ll get started after breakfast tomorrow.”