Runaway Santa

The North Pole was busy this time of year. Christmas was approaching, and everyone in the shop was getting ready for the holidays. Lists were being sent, toys were being made, and Santa was finally back from vacation. Everyone at the shop had the jolly Christmas spirit; everyone except Santa. Santa was still sun burnt from his 11 month vacation in the tropics. He didn’t want to eat another cookie, or hear another Christmas song, ever again. He wanted to call it quits. You could say Santa had turned into a Grinch this year. Santa was overweight, stressed, and exhausted. He wasn’t prepared to fly all over the world in one night to deliver toys to the boys and girls. It was his only job, but Santa wanted to run away. He didn’t know what would be easier, and was worried that all the children would be depressed about a Christmas without Santa. So, he couldn’t run away, if you saw a chubby man in a red suit with a white beard, anyone could tell who he was. He would need a new identity if he was going to run away.

Santa started to make up a list of places that he wanted to run away to. Hawaii, Ireland, and Australia were the top three choices that he had picked. Santa thought long and hard about which place he wanted to run away to, and he picked Hawaii. Hawaii had clear blue water, pineapples, and palm trees. It was the complete opposite of the North Pole, and Santa couldn’t be more excited. He knew he needed to change his identity, so he came up with a couple of ideas. Santa thought he would shave his beard, and dye his hair black. Nobody would ever think that he used to be Santa Claus. This could be a new life for Santa, and he was never looking back. The only thing stopping Santa was the upset children on Christmas morning. Santa took some time to think and came up with a brilliant idea. He would train a new Santa that could take over his job. Santa called in three guys to see how well they would be to take over the role as the new Santa Claus. None of them fit the criteria. Santa knew he needed to leave the North Pole, he couldn’t take it anymore, and he had to get out of there quick.

Santa changed his look like he said he would, but would this be enough to hide his true identity? Today was December 1st, and Santa was running behind. He needed to leave before it got any closer to Christmas Eve. Santa bought his plane ticket and packed up his bags quickly. He flew from the North Pole to Hawaii. He was not used to public transportation, since reindeer always lead the way. He could finally sit back, relax, and be merry. The whole plane ride, Santa thought about his life back at the North Pole, but knew that this was the best decision he ever made; or was it? Santa was in awe when he finally reached the airport in Hawaii. Santa knew that the cold was not for him. He was ready to get into his swim suit and hit the beach. Nobody even looked at Santa when he was sitting on the beach, it was a shock to him because all the children used to run to sit on his lap. He felt alone, sad, but stress-free at the same time. Santa knew he needed to try to fit in, or he would never last in Hawaii. Santa joined a couple of guys on the beach to learn how to surf. Santa and his plump belly were not made to balance on a surf board. Santa thought he was never going to be able to enjoy Hawaii the way he planned he would.

Santa tried other activities in Hawaii such as scuba diving, kayaking, jet skiing, and parasailing. Almost every activity that was available in Hawaii took place in the water, and Santa knew he didn’t work well in the water. He could barely swim, so how was he going to survive in Hawaii? Santa stayed in Hawaii for about 2 weeks until it reached the 13th of December. Christmas Eve was in eleven days and Santa knew he needed to hurry back to the North Pole. Santa learned a lot about himself from running away from the North Pole. He learned that he could never leave Mrs. Claus, the elves, and the reindeer for a long period of time. The North Pole was his home, and that’s where he needed to be. Santa took one last stroll on the sandy beach until he came up with a new idea. Santa was going to bring a piece of Hawaii to the North Pole.

Santa arrived back at the North Pole and everyone at the toy shop was beyond excited to see him. They were all worried sick because they couldn’t get in contact with him. Everyone was shocked that he dyed his hair and cut off his beard. It was a new look they needed to get used to. Santa explained his trip to Hawaii to them, and said he was thankful that he went. Santa made his idea of Hawaii in the North Pole come to life. The reindeer were now going to have leis around their necks, Santa would wear a bathing suit instead of a red suit, and he would plant a couple of palm trees in an indoor garden, so the snow wouldn’t kill them. Santa knew that by making these changes at the North Pole, he didn’t want to retire anytime soon. He finally felt that he didn’t need to run away to hot weather. He could bring Hawaii to the North Pole instead. Mrs. Claus forgave Santa since she knew he was stressed from the upcoming holidays. But was Mrs. Claus going to be next to run away? Or maybe the elves? Only time will tell because, “at Christmas, all roads lead home.”