One particular Christmas a long time ago, Santa was getting ready for his annual trip, but there were problems everywhere. Most of his elves became very sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones. As Christmas fast approached Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule. Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her Mum was coming to visit. Santa didn't get on overly well with his mother in law so this news caused Santa even more distress. When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and ran off, heaven knows where. Yet more stress for poor old Santa. Then when he had almost finished loading the sleigh one of the sleds cracked, the sleigh tipped and most of the toys fell to the ground. Some were broken and had to be mended by the junior elves ...... more and more stress. So frustrated was Santa he went into the house for a cup of mulled wine and a cheeky dram of whisky. But when he went to the cupboard he discovered that the "sick" elves had drunk all of the liquor leaving nothing to drink. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped his favourite cup and it broke into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor. Not wanting Mrs Claus to cut her feet he hurried to get the broom and was annoyed to find that mice had eaten the straw off the broom leaving only a useless handle!!! Just then the doorbell rang, and a now very annoyed Santa stomped to the door. He pulled opened the door so quickly it almost came off it's hinges and there, standing before him, was a little angel beside a great big Christmas tree. The angel said, with a big smile, "Merry Christmas to you Santa. Isn't it a lovely day? I have brought a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?"



And thus began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.....