Who Stole Santa’s Boot? (Contest Entry)

In amidst the addressing of Christmas cards, the list making, and tree decorating, it’s also the time for Susanna Leonard Hill’s Holiday Writing Contest!

The guidelines are that it must relate to any winter holiday, be a mystery, and no longer than 250 words (not including title). I was extremely honored to get an all-around honorable mention in the Halloweensie contest for Baby Goblin at the Halloween Ball, and am happy to present to you my tiny Christmas mystery, Who Stole Santa’s Boot?

Who Stole Santa’s Boot?
By Meg Winikates (250 words)

This is the kitchen, smelling great,
where cookies slide right off the plate.
A chocolate boot-print on the floor—
and Mrs. Claus points to the door.

This is the spot beside the sleigh
where Santa tucks his boots away.
He turns to put his slippers on—
but suddenly, one boot is gone!

This is the fox who nabs the shoe
for playful kits to gnaw and chew.

This is the stoat who shocks the fox
(while Santa wanders in his socks)
and drags the boot along the ground,
delighted by this thing he’s found.

This is the owl that spooks the stoat,
who hides below as white wings float.
The owl swoops, the boot falls down,
and crashes into tunnel town!

These are the lemmings that scoot and swarm
into the boot, so safe and warm.

(This is St. Nick with chilly toes,
his glasses balanced on his nose,
requesting acrobatic elves
to search the closets, climb the shelves!)

This is the hare with legs so strong,
a boot hat on his ears so long,
leaping across a frozen brook—
(Where else can Santa think to look?)

This is the wise old caribou
who gently bends to sniff the shoe;
with boot between her teeth, she clops,
and near the stable-door it drops,
ready for Santa to retrieve—
barely in time for Christmas Eve!

“So where do you suppose it’s been?”
asks Mrs. Claus, and Santa grins.
“My dear, we must admit defeat,
and just rejoice they’re on my feet!”