Hobby Horse Rustlers, Donna Gallagher

In the quiet, early hours of Christmas morn, as the gifts are placed about the decorated tree, three mischievous elves pop out of a toy-filled sack. They eagerly give a quick glance about the room and spy a tempting elf-sized steed, brightly embellished with gilded reigns, a fine leather saddle and carefully painted muzzle.

Pepperberry, Snitch and Pfeffernusse, the Hobby Horse Rustlers, just can't resist a gallop around the Christmas tree on this wheeled wonder!

After a few, short trips spent circling the tree (say 20 or 30), the Merry Old Elf beckons his elf helpers and hastens them back to the roof. Pepperberry knows the tight schedule and swiftly pokes his apprentices, Snitch and Pfeffernusse up the chimney. Out of the smokestack they pop---scrambling into one of the big bags that sit in Santa's sleigh.

A short tug on the reigns and off into the starry night they go--already planning their next bit of fun on the Yuletide journey.