Chill Out!

by Tish Rabe

  But did I get back

  to my home in the snow?

  I’m sorry to say that

  the answer is no.

  We took off and then crashed,

  and then soon began sinking.

  We were talking to dolphins.

  What was the Cat thinking?

  I tried to save us,

  but I couldn’t do it.

  Then those dolphins pulled us.

  There was nothing to it!

  I was tired and hungry

  and couldn’t believe

  that I was going to miss

  my first Christmas Eve.

  Was the next stop my home?

  No! We wound up instead

  on the beach with a crab.

  “My name’s Mervin,” he said.

  Then soon even more crabs

  came marching along.

  They were all in a line

  and were singing a song!

  I was so hungry

  that I thought about

  eating a coconut.

  (That didn’t work out.)

  When I finally got home,

  I made it just in time.

  I opened my door and

  heard Christmas bells chime.

  Mom and Dad were not there

  and I didn’t know why.

  I hate to admit it,

  but I started to cry.

  Did they have Christmas without me?

  “Oh no!” said the Cat.

  “Ralph,” Sally said,

  “they would never do that!”

  The Things quickly put up

  a big Christmas tree.

  Then my parents arrived!

  They’d been looking for me.

  “Where were you?” asked Mom

  as she gave me a hug.

  I said, “With crabs, dolphins,

  elephants, and a big flying bug!”

  “The best thing,” my dad said,

  “is now we’re all here.

  Christmas is my

  favorite time of the year.”

  On my first Christmas Eve,

  I was ready to fly

  the Thinga-ma-jigger

  up into the sky.

  I flew past the stars

  and my parents did, too.

  So …

  as the Cat in the Hat says,

  “Merry Christmas to you!”

  “It’s almost Christmas,” said Sally.

  “I know it!” said Nick.

  “I’m counting the minutes.

  I hope it’s here quick!”

  “You know,” said the Cat,

  “it is hard to believe—

  we’ve waited all year

  and now it’s Christmas Eve.

  Let’s meet some new friends.

  You’ll love it. Here’s why—

  when you visit new friends,

  the minutes just fly!

  “Meet my friends the elephants.

  They’re traveling today.

  Elephants smell water

  from far, far away.

  With my Ele-ma-smellers

  we can smell water, too.

  I have one for me and

  I have two for you.

  Elephants have very

  talented noses.

  They smell water and also

  make very fine …

  “… hoses!

  There’s nothing more fun

  than an elephant shower.

  It hubbles and bubbles

  with trunk-tastic power!

  Dive in and let’s play

  and get wet in the spray.

  In just a few minutes,

  we’ll be on our way!

  I next want to take you

  way far out to sea,

  where more of my good friends

  are waiting for me.

  “Here we are,” the Cat said,

  “in Blue-Puddle-a-Roo!

  My good friends the dolphins

  can’t wait to meet you.”

  “Hold on, Cat!” said Nick.

  “I’m afraid I don’t think

  we can float on the water.

  We’re going to sink!”

  “Not to worry,” the Cat said.

  “For soon we will float.

  The Thinga-ma-jigger turns into a …

  “… boat!

  We’re not going to sink

  in Blue-Puddle-a-Roo.

  Here come the dolphins.

  They’ll know what to do.

  “Meet Daphne and Flip

  and Finny, their brother.

  Even underwater

  they can hear each other.

  Dolphins travel together,

  and this may sound odd,

  but a group of dolphins

  is known as a pod.”

  “We’ll push you,” said Finny.

  “When we work together,

  we get the job done

  in all kinds of weather.

  We really like it

  when new friends drop in.

  We’re always right here

  to lend you a fin.”

  “Where to next?” asked Sally.

  The Cat said, “The shore!

  We’ll meet more crabs there

  than you’ve seen before.”

  “Hello there!” said a crab

  whose shell was bright red.

  “Mervin! Merry Christmas

  to you!” the Cat said.

  “We are marching,” said Mervin,

  “for we need to reach

  our family reunion.

  It’s here on the beach.

  Each year at this time,

  we head off, if you please,

  to celebrate Christmas

  with our families.

  Marching together is

  our favorite thing.

  When we start to march,

  we all start to sing.”

  “We’re off. Hooray!

  We just can’t stay.

  We must get home

  for Christmas Day.

  It’s one for all

  and all for one.

  We won’t stop till

  our journey is done.

  Being with family,

  without a doubt,

  is what Christmas

  is all about!”

  “You know, Cat,” said Nick,

  “those crabs sing a nice tune.

  Now I know Christmas

  will be here real soon!”

  “Come on!” the Cat said.

  “We don’t want to be late.

  It’s finally Christmas,

  so let’s celebrate!”

  They got back just in time

  and were happy to see

  presents piled high under

  their Christmas tree.

  “We made it!” the Cat said.

  “As our journey ends,

  it’s great to spend Christmas …

  “… with family and friends!”