No Ho, Ho, Ho? OH NO!

Bernard Elf is one of the busiest elves at the North Pole, and that's saying something--because elves are always very busy! Bernard is Santa's 'Right-hand Elf,' meaning if there's a problem, he's the one who takes care of it--especially if Santa's not around!

Today, for example, Santa and Mrs. Claus were visiting a Children's Hospital, so Bernard was not only collecting Wish Lists (you have filled yours out, haven't you?) and triple-checking the Naughty and Nice lists, but he was also making sure that all of the names on the personalized ornaments were being spelled correctly.

That's why it took him so long to answer his phone when it rang. But once he heard what the person on the phone said, Bernard Elf almost dropped his clipboard!

Shortly after Bernard took that telephone call, he was sitting in a corner of the workshop with Toby, Jiller, Ali, Smitty, and Gizmo Elf, along with your faithful reporter.

"I've just spoken with Mrs. Claus," Bernard began, and she told me that Santa is acting strangely. He wasn't going 'Ho ho ho' at the Children's Hospital, and he seemed surprised that he had a beard." "Perhaps the lightning strike in my workshop made him a little confused," said Gizmo Elf.

"It seems that way," said Bernard. "That's why I'm sending Ali to go help Mrs. Claus bring Santa back home. We'll make sure he's healthy enough to Ho ho ho his way all the way to Christmas Eve!"

Just then Bernard's telephone rang again. After speaking in it for a moment, he addressed the group. "Ali, you better hurry up. Mrs. Claus just called again. Santa's missing!"

What's happened to Santa? Where did he go? Keep reading The North Pole Times to find out!