"Ta dum!"

Erno cried as he entered the Workshop juggling three red balls. Just behind him swooped and swirled the big elf, Percy.

"I am Percival the Magnificent," the elf wearing a top hat and black cape said, as he swirled into Santa's Workshop. It was a typically busy day at the Workshop. The other elves were hammering, gluing and soldering toys, bikes, dolls, skates and all of the wonderful toys that Santa brings to good girls and boys around the world.

"Hey, that looks great Percy," cried Amber the elf. She finished gluing a doll head on to a doll body with a large sticky glue gun and then, hopping off a tall work stool, she quickly circled Percy, checking out his costume.

"Com'on," Percy cried, "It's time for rehearsal."

The other elves finished the toys they were working on and then cleared some floor space in Santa's Workshop to prepare for the Winter Magic show rehearsals. Each year the elves provided an entertaining show for the denizens of the North Pole. In some years it was a choral concert, and in others a variety show. This year's theme was magic.

"I'm the All-Knowing Amber!" cried Amber as she emerged from the back room. She was wearing a colourful flowing skirt, a bright shawl and had large gold hoop earrings and a kerchief on her head. In her hands dripped a large snowball. "Allow me to see your future with my crystal ball," she said to Percy.

"Yeah, if it doesn't melt first!" Roly the elf joked.

"I've been practicing with an iceball, but I'm going to have a real crystal ball for the show!" cried Amber. "Say, Roly, what are you doing for the show?"

"I'm a fire-eater!" Roly said proudly.

"It figures your act includes eating something," Erno joked.

Percy chuckled too and said, "Watch this!" He rolled a large upright box into the room and tapped it three times with his magic wand. The box sides collapsed and out stepped Mrs. Claus.

"Ta dum," she said.

"Ho, ho, ho," Santa said as he entered the room. "I was just wondering where you had disappeared to." Santa and the others all laughed heartily.

Amber rushed forward to Santa. "Let me read your palm," she asked and took his hand in hers. "Ah, I see a mystery. Something, or perhaps someone, from your past will reappear!" Amber seemed so solemn that the room went quiet and Santa looked a bit sad for a moment.

Mrs. Claus cleared her throat. "Actually, I have a special surprise for Santa this year," Mrs. Claus announced, "and I wanted all of you to know about it. I've invited a very special storyteller to join us this year and perform at the Winter Magic show next week. It should be very exciting."

Just then, an icy wind blew open the Workshop door and a swirl of sparkling snow crystals eddied into the room. The elves shivered, Santa looked startled and there in the mist of blowing snow, stood a lone figure in the doorway.

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