The Apprentice

Santa finally started to admit he was getting old. It was affecting his ability to carry his huge sack around chimney tops and his eyesight was deteriorating. Time to retire? Better get a successor trained quickly!

So during the year Santa trained an apprentice called Nicky. There was lots to learn about toys, stockings, wrapping presents and how to drive the sleigh. Nicky was a quick learner, particularly in controlling reindeer. During the summer, displaying a special learner’s ‘L- plate’, Santa taught Nicky to drive.

Then on Christmas Eve, flying high in the sky was Nicky. No Santa. No L!