“T HE MORE THAT YOU READ, THE MORE THINGS YOU KNOW. T HE MORE THAT YOU LEARN, THE MORE PLACES YOU ’ LL GO”. D R S EUSS
I NTRODUCTION The following stories are a culmination of the hard work and creativity of the Earagail Arts Festival’s Children’s Christmas Story Workshop, which took place between 21st November and 19th December 2013 in partnership with the Letterkenny Central Library. On behalf of the festival and ourselves, Bridgin and Ashling, we would like to thank the children for their inspiration and imagination. We hope that you will enjoy this book for many Christmases to come.
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CANDY CANES WRITTEN BY MICHAELA GALVIN, AGE 9 The Clever Elves were working making delicious candy canes. There were weird and wonderful new tastes but the mixture went horribly wrong, but it made a wonderful new awesome mixture. They were so happy to find a new amazing mixture. Santa tried it out but he turned purple with a big round stomach or even a big round blueberry – it depended on how he felt. How would Santa ever fit into the Sleigh? There was only one way to fit into that big sparkling red sleigh, there was only one way, he would have to get fit. Mrs Claus loved the idea, but Santa did not. That meant no chocolate chip cookies for poor Santa Claus, this was horrible. Santa was going to go on a horrifying diet. Mrs Claus hid all the delicious chocolate chip cookies and all the gummy yummy gummy bears. Santa was on a secret mission to find them but not get caught by clever Mrs Claus. Santa was trying so hard not to fall as he tried to get a cookie, but he tripped on the cold hard ground. Mrs Claus found him. On Santa’s third attempt he reached the awesome, amazing and delicious cookies covered in chocolate chips. Santa tried one. Mrs Claus stood laughing at him. They turned out to be filled with raisins but the horrible raisins cured Santa Claus. He delivered presents to the children of the world that night as he now was a Slim Santa.
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THE MAGIC CHRISTMAS PUDDING WRITTEN BY MICHAEL MEENAN, AGE 8 One day my brother and I made a Christmas pudding. I accidently put in Santa`s saliva. DON! DON! DON! It made it that anyone who ate it turned into an elf. I gave a slice to my Mum and POOF! My Mum was an elf! I said “cool”. Then I gave some to my Dad, POOF! Jack walked in and went OMG! “What did you do? I don`t know! Wait, where`s Santa`s saliva?” OH NO! I suddenly realized I accidently put it in the pudding. “You`re an idiot!!!!!!” said Jack. Then BANG! CRASH! BOOM! I looked outside. “That`s not good” I said. Santa`s sleigh was in my front garden. He looked furious. I ran outside. “What`s wrong?” He said that the Easter Bunny had kidnapped Rudolph. DON! DON! DON! I said I always knew the Easter Bunny was evil. “Yes he`s on the naughty list this Christmas!” said Santa. Santa told me that if I gave the Easter Bunny my magic pudding he’ll give Rudolph back. “Why does he want my pudding?” I asked. Santa replied “I haven’t a clue!” “Then I guess we’ll just have to find out!!!!” So I hopped on Santa’s sleigh but then he told me that he wouldn’t be able to make his sleigh fly all the way to the Easter Bunny’s lair without Rudolph! “I barely made it here!” he said. “Oh I have a plan, just turn my brother Jack into a reindeer!” NO! said Santa. Please! Please! Please! Fine then, said Santa. 4
YAAAAAAY!! Jack come here NOW! What do you want? asked Jack. Rudolph’s been kidnapped so you’re going to go in Rudolph’s place. “Fine” said Jack. ZIC! ZAC! ZOOP! went Santa. WHOOSH! And off we went. “Finally we’re here” I said. “Who goes there?” said a voice. Suddenly the Easter Bunny appeared. Rudolph was with him. “Where’s the pudding?” asked the Easter Bunny. “Why do you want it?” I said. “None of your business!” he replied. “Just give us Rudolph OR ELSE!!” said Santa. “FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!” I shouted. “Shut Up!” said Santa. Sorry! “Just give me the pudding” said the Easter Bunny. “Just give me Rudolph” said Santa. 3,2,1,GO! Hallelujah! Rudolph’s back in business! “Let’s go home now,” I said. WHOOSH! Finally we’re home. Bye Santa! “Bye Michael! I wonder why the Easter Bunny wanted the Christmas pudding anyway?” said Santa. I guess we’ll never know! THE END
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LIFE AFTER HOGWARTS WRITTEN BY EMER TINNEY, AGE 9 CHAPTER ONE THE START Ginny Potter was in the kitchen making breakfast for her 7 children. Bill, Alex, Albus Severus, her twin sons Bob and Arthur, Olly and her youngest child and only girl Lilly. Bill was the oldest and had successfully completed all his years at Hogwarts, next was Alex he had also finished all his years at Hogwarts. Albus was going into his 5th year at Hogwarts. The twins were in their 2nd year and this year Olly would be joining them. That morning Lilly was first up she had fiery red hair exactly like her mothers. Ginny was just about to ask her what she would like for breakfast when bang fizz pop. WHAT WAS THAT? shouted Lilly over the noise. It was the boys in their bedroom, you know they like the noise, Ginny replied. Just then the boys came down the stairs. Come on we’re going to Grinnots Ginny said. Why? said Arthur. We need to buy your new books. Go wake up your brother Lilly. After a while Lilly came down the stairs with Albus, followed closely by Harry. Hurry up and eat your breakfast said Ginny. Can I meet some friends from school in the Leaky Cauldron asked Albus? Ok said Ginny but make sure you get everything on your list first. Bob and Arthur were staring down at their lists, how come he gets to go on his own? asked Bob and Arthur. Because you will be too distracted to get what’s on your list. Can Skyler come with us asked Lilly? Skyler was Ron Weasley and Hermaoine Weasley’s daughter. Harry, Ron and Hermaoine were best friends at Hogwarts, Ginny was Ron’s little sister.
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CHAPTER TWO RON AND HERMIONE Ten minutes later, they arrived in Ron and Hermaoine’s kitchen. Harry! exclaimed Ron happily, can Skyler come and get the new books with us asked Lilly? I think we can all go said Hermaoine. Hey, the new Zeter 3000 came out today said Ron, why don’t we go have a look at it? said Albus. How about we get all the things on your list first said Harry. What do you have to get anyway asked Ron? Here said Albus, handing him his list for the third year at Hogwarts. THE GUIDE TO DEFENCE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS LEVEL 3 MUGGLE HOMES ASTRONOMY STAR LOOKING POPULAR POTIONS HISTORY OF MAGIC LEVEL 1-‐6 TURN THIS INTO THAT Yours respectfully Headmistress Professor McGonagal “Blimey” exclaimed Ron, do you need all to have that many books? he asked around the kitchen. Ahh, said Albus Severus you’re not thinking about half of it, Albus Severus handing him another list which read out: RENTAL SCHEME ADVANCED POTION MAKING THE DREAM ORACLE THE STANDARD BOOK OF SPELLS (GRADE3) HISTORY OF MAGIC MAGICAL THEORY FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM (MAY ALSO BE FOUND IN HOGSMADE) Professor Mc Gonagall Is it always this much asked Ron dramatically? Yep replied Albus Severus. I don’t know what where going to do next year with Skyler exclaimed Ron without stopping 7
to take a breath. Oh shut up Ron said Hermione calmly as if she was talking to a two year old. So tea any one? Yes please replied Harry and Ron. I’ll come help said Ginny. After a while they were all in Diagon Ally picking through books, wands and cauldrons. When Albus Severus was finished getting all his bits and bobs Ron, Harry and Albus Severus walked down to Quiditch supplies to have a look at the new Zeter 3000.
C H A P T E R T H R E E THE BROOM It’s amazing exclaimed Albus, its brilliant said Ron. Wow said Harry. It seemed to be all he could manage to spit up -‐ Wow! He said again without noticing. He was picturing the last time he played Quiditch; it seemed so long ago he was longing to get back on the Quiditch pitch. Well Ron interrupted are you going to buy it? Oh yeah said Harry how much is it? 500 gallons replied Albus Severus. Ammm OK said Harry, here, he handed Albus Severus the money and told him to meet them in the Leaky Cauldron in half an hour.
CHAPTER FOUR HOGWARTS EXPRESS A few weeks later they were all standing outside the Hogwarts express. Before they got on the train they hugged and kissed their parents, then got on the train and found an empty compartment. Soon they were at Hogwarts. First years over here please! They heard a voice call. That’s you Olly said Albus Severus. Don’t worry he said noticing Ollys worried face. That’s Professor Longbuttom he’s the Herbology teacher, he’s one of the nicest teachers Hogwarts ever had. It’ll be ok, go he said pushing Olly into the long line of first years. 8
CHAPTER FIVE THE SORTING HAT Albus Severus and the twins made their way towards the carriages that pulled themselves up the hill or at least that’s what it seemed! In the great hall the twins took their seats at the Gryffindor table beside another 3rd year called Leo Jordan who’s dad Lee Jordan was good friends with their uncles Fred and George. Albus took his seat beside his friend Jack. Soon the sorting began. This is when an old hat was placed on each new student one by one. The hat decided if that student would be in Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin. Olly was put in Gryffindor with two people he met on the train called Dianna Ginger and a boy called Richard walkers. The feast soon began. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHAPTER SIX THE FIRST DAY After the feast they were all to go straight to bed in their dormitories. The prefects took the first years the most common route to their dormitories. He knew lessons started straight away next morning but he couldn’t help wondering what his lessons would be like. Lying on his bed he lifted off his glasses exactly like the ones his father wears and fell straight asleep. Next morning he woke early and wondering what his first lesson Herbology would be like. Quickly pulled on his robes and ran down the marble staircase which led to the entrance hall, there he found Dianna and Rich. Hi, he said in an out of breath kind of voice because he ran all the way from the boy’s dormitories. Hi they replied, Dianna here was just telling me about how interesting this book is he said pointing to a giant book that Dianna was holding entitled Hogwarts: A History. As I was saying I checked this book out for a bit of light reading and you wont believe how much I know already and the best part is this book is enchanted so it updates itself. Here, Olly 9
read this page she said pushing the book towards him. It was open on a page that read out: About 23 years ago Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, Olly read, that’s my aunt and uncle he began. Keep reading Diana interrupted. And Harry Potter he continued. That’s my dad! he shouted so loud that nearly the whole hall heard and the rest of the Potter family hurried over to see what he was going on about. He continued for nearly half an hour, the whole school was listening; when suddenly Professor Mc Gonagal came hurrying into the hall. What is going on here? There are only 2 students who have attended to their classes. Make two groups. All that have eaten breakfast go to your class and all that have not, stand over here. Everyone left the hall expect Professor Mc Gonagall, Olly, Rich and Dianna.
CHAPTER SEVEN THE BOOK
Very well come with me then. We, we, we didn’t mean to cause a fuss professor Dianna began. I know she said calmly. I want to talk to you about something else, come inside she said gesturing towards a door with silver writing on it which read out Headmistress Professor Mc Gonnagal. Olly walked inside the door followed closely by the other two. Professor may I ask if you didn’t want us up here to expel us then why did you bring us up here? No no, expel you! she repeated. Of course not. I see your friend Dianna here has found the book Hogwarts: A history. I’ve spent many a day looking in the library for that book. Where did you find it? It was in Hogsmade She replied. Ahh I remember it like yesterday. Well then eat up she said waving her wand and three bowls of porridge along with three goblets of pumpkin juice appeared. After their meal they went up to the Gryffindor common room since their lesson was half over anyway. After half an hour they left for lunch, there they met Albus who patted them on the back and asked them if they had there bags packed?
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We aren’t expelled replied Olly, you aren’t said Albus taken aback by this information, amm ok well then bye. And that is how Harry Potter and Ginny Weasly and Ron Weasly and Hermione Granger grew up to have there own children!
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A S NOWY D AY WRITTEN BY ALANNA CANNON, AGE 8 One morning I woke up and looked out my bedroom window. It was snowing!! I ran into my little brother Dylan’s bedroom and shouted “It’s snowing, it’s snowing”. We got dressed as fast as we could and ran outside to play. First we made snow angels and snowmen. Then we had a snowball fight. But then we had to go to visit our Granny and Granda. We were very sad as we had to come in from playing in the snow. When we got to their house we got to make Christmas cookies. They were so yummy. When we got home we went outside again to play. We had lots of fun that snowy day. THE END
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S NOWMAN T IME WRITTEN BY FIONA GAVIN, AGE 9 It was Christmas time. I went outside. Suddenly I saw somebody walking in the distance. I went over to him. I saw he was a walking snowman! I was amazed. I asked him a question. “Who are you?” “I am Jack Frost or Frosty the Snowman” he said. “Are you magic?” I asked. “Yes” he replied. “Do you want to sit on the swings a bit with me?” I asked. “Yes” said Frosty. We sat on the swings but alas! Frosty the Snowman had broken in pieces. But Frosty the Snowman was magic! The next day I went to the door and saw Frosty was asleep on my doorstep. I woke him: “What are you doing?” I asked. “I want to ask you a question” he said. “What?” I replied. “I want to come in your house” he said. “No! No!” I said alarmed, “you will surely melt by the fire. I don’t want that to happen. But I have something like a large cave out there. Let’s cover it with moss” I told him. “It can be your home.” So the two friends went to the cave and made Frosty a home. THE END
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C OLD DAYS WRITTEN BY FIONA GAVIN, AGE 9 One day I was told Not to leave the house. Be quiet as a mouse. It’s very, very cold. Play in the daytime When I say it’s playtime. You cannot play outside
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THE MAGIC SNOW DOG
COLLABORATION BY EAMONN TINNEY, AGE 7, CILLIAN MC LAUGHLIN, AGE 7, KATE FARRELL, AGE 6 & JENNY BROMLEY, AGE 7. Elizabeth, Emer, Mark and Jake woke up. It was Saturday, no school . Today they meet in the Park after breakfast so they jumped up happily out of bed and go to pull the curtains. It has snowed in the night. “Hey Snow” shouted Mark. “Excellent” said Elizabeth. “What a wonderful day for snow” smiled Jake. “WOW” exclaimed Emer. The delighted children quickly got dressed in warm clothes and ran downstairs. They had breakfast very quickly and hurried off to meet each other in the park. The four children are best friends and always meet to play in the park on Saturdays. They crunched through the snow and were very excited when they saw each other. The snow is like icing on a cake “Yipee, Jack Frost has been here.” shouted Jake. “It’s as cold as an ice pop.” Laughed Emer. “It’s like the North Pole.” Said Mark. “Like a fluffy white cloud.” said Elizabeth. They are so excited that they don’t know what to play first, so they start throwing snowballs and sliding and start building a snowman all at once. They have so much fun. Then Emer noticed a dog watching them play and looks like it wants to join in the fun. “I think it’s a collie.” says Elizabeth “He looks dirty and hungry, I wonder who owns him.” Said Jake sadly
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The children start to ask everyone they meet if they own the collie, but no one does. “I think she’s a stray” said the man in the shop. The children felt sad because the dog had no home and it was very cold outside. Mark said, “let’s all ask our parents if we can keep her, one of them will probably say yes.” But after lunch the children come back shaking their heads unhappily. The children brought food for the dog and she ate it hungrily. “We can’t leave her out in the snow all night, she will die of cold.” Cried Emer. “I know, we can keep her in the clubhouse.” Smiled Jake. “YES!” shouted the children. The club house was an old shed at the bottom of Jake’s garden where the children met on rainy days. They put a sign on the door which said ‘KEEP OUT’. It was only for the four children who called them selves The Fab Four. They made a comfortable bed in the corner for the collie. “Let’s call her Betty” said Elizabeth. “Yes, she does look like a Betty.” laughed Emer. The children secretly brought her food and sneaked her out to play with them in the snow every day. But the shed wasn’t very warm and they knew she needed a proper home. On Christmas eve, Jake said, “I wish Betty had a nice home for Christmas, like we do.” The children sadly agreed. “She is a lovely dog and would be a great pet for someone.” Said Elizabeth. The children felt very sad about leaving Betty all alone on Christmas Eve. “Wait, I have an Idea,” said Mark. “Let’s write a letter to Santa and ask him to find a good home for Betty for Christmas.” “Great idea.” Agreed Emer “Let’s do it right now.” Said Elizabeth “I'll go get a pen and paper.” Said Jake 16
Dear Santa, We know a very nice dog called Betty. She has nowhere to live. Please, please, please find her a lovely home for Christmas. Thank you Signed, Elizabeth, Jake, Emer and Mark Then they put Betty to bed. They all patted her and said “Goodnight Betty” and off home they went. In the morning more snow had fallen. It was like a big white blanket. The children were up very early to open the lovely presents that Santa had brought them. After Breakfast they pulled on their coats and boots and ran off to wish each other a Merry Christmas, and also to check on Betty at the club house. “Merry Christmas” they all shouted to each other as they ran down to the club house. Jake opened the door to let Betty out but they all got a big surprise. NO BETTY!!! “She must have decided to leave.” cried Emer unhappily. “But she couldn’t have got out on her own.” said Mark “She couldn’t have opened the door. “Look there!” Said Jake suddenly. The children all stopped and stared. All around the shed were animal tracks and sleigh tracks and one big set of foot prints. The children all look at each other with their mouths hanging open. “No Way!” Said Jake and Mark “I think Santa was here.” whispered Emer “I think so too.” nodded Elizabeth. The children all smiled. “Happy Christmas Betty!” they shouted.
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