The Night the Reindeer Stayed Home
by Tom Leech ©2017 Tom Leech
T’was that night before Christmas, time for much prep,
But the reindeer sent Santa a legal rep,
Who came waving a contract and protest sign.
Now Santa was stuck, with that major deadline.
Santa had said, “It’s almost the magic hour,
When we soar ‘round the world on reindeer power,
Onward we go with my team and the sleigh,
Loaded with goodies for the kids’ holiday.”
But the rep said “Santa, it’s this way, you see,
Better look at this contract, line E2Z –
Although now’s the time to hitch up the sleigh,
Your reindeer don’t work on a holiday.”
Santa was distraught on hearing this yarn,
That his reindeer would stay back in the barn.
“If the team I depend on won’t come through.
Kids and their parents are likely to sue.”
But when the rep stood firm and raised his arm,
Santa was nearing a state of alarm,
The message was clear “NOT WORKING TODAY!
When it’s a holiday, reindeer just stay.”
The elves were worried about this game,
“Boss,” said a wee one, Farley by name,
“We’ve huddled to see what else could be done.
We think we know how you can make your run.”
“Well, what’s that way?” Santa asked without joy,
Said Farley, “When we’re not making a toy,
We ride motorcycles across the sky.”
(He winked at the others with twinkling eye.)
“We ride on fast cycles that rarely stop,
And we’ve got some dandies here in the shop.
Let’s hitch ’em to the sleigh and away we’ll flee.
With Wanda, Little Rocky, Sy-Grumph and me.”
“I’m game,” said Santa, no longer dismayed,
As Farley and pals their choppers displayed.
“Let’s show those reindeer what it’s all about.”
Santa sprang to his sleigh and gave them a shout!
“HEAD ’EM OUT, FARLEY, HOP ON THAT HARLEY!
GO LI’L ROCKY, ON THE KAWASAKI!
HIT IT, OLD SY-GRUMPH, ON YOUR TRI-UMPH!
REV IT UP, WANDA, ON YOUR HONDA!”
So off they flew, like coursers they went,
With Farley’s Hog, all hot on the scent,
They made all the rounds and dashed away all,
Those leather-bound elves were having a ball.
Their tasks now ended, ’twas a homeward race,
And there were the reindeer lined up in place.
“We’ve got a new contract,” sang out the full mob,
“Next year we’ll again be your team for the job!”
Said Santa, displaying a cheerful gleam,
“I’ve got too many kids for just one team,
So reindeer and cyclists, I’m glad you’re both here,
Let’s all celebrate with a holiday cheer.”
“After such a long night, let’s all hit the sack.
You cyclists did great and now we’re all back,
So drive those choppers over to the dorm,
And take a snooze where it’s cozy and warm.”
“But before we wrap it up for the night,
Let’s try it again so it goes just right.
I’ve had such a ball, belting out that fun rhyme,”
And he shouted with glee, one more jolly time…
“HEAD ’EM OUT, FARLEY, HOP ON THAT HARLEY!
GO LI’L ROCKY ON THE KAWASAKI!
HIT IT, OLD SY-GRUMPH ON YOUR TRI-UMPH!
REV IT UP, WANDA, ON YOUR HONDA!”
end
