T’was the night before Christmas and throughout the bush the animals awoke to a noisy whoosh. A reindeer had landed in the Eucalypt tree as Santa’s sleigh flew away over the trees.

Kangaroo and wombat looked up at the tree. ‘What are you doing there?’ The kangaroo asked while he danced around in glee. The reindeer’s eyes were teary and sore, his red nose shone from the branch he perched.

‘Well, Dasher, Dancer, Vixen and Comet were chewing the reigns when we passed through a scrambled omelet. Cupid and Blitzen tried to hang on but Mrs. Clause’s egg substance was far too strong.’

Freddy the echidna sat back with a fright and yelled up the tree. ‘So no Christmas presents tonight?’ The reindeer struggled against the strong branch as Kangaroo jumped about ‘It’s no use,’ he said boxing the tree. ‘I can’t seem to get the reindeer free.’

The wind picked up and storm clouds blew in as the reindeer shivered and called out to him.

‘It’s Christmas Eve and Santa is late. I’m Rudolph you see and without me the presents will all deflate. The animals sat back in the bush in a huddle to think whilst the reindeer really wanted a cold drink. Along came a koala that looked at the group he tutted and smiled then jumped through a hula hoop.

‘Hello Rudolph long time, no see ‘He said .The reindeer craned his neck around and smiled. ‘Oh yes , some centuries ago when Santa was lost in the bush with nowhere to go. You showed him the way and helped him to see that the Aussie bush was full of animals on Christmas Eve.’

The koala’s claws ripped at the branch while kangaroo held out his spindly hands. With a crash, a bang and a thump too reindeer fell into kangaroos paws.

Their bush tucker stockings were hung with care draped over branches hoping Santa Clause would soon be there. With a whoosh, a sigh and a bang, an old wooden sleigh appeared and a man dressed in red was here. ‘Ho, ho, ho what have we here?’ He asked rubbing his belly as Rudolph came near.

‘Oh Santa I thought I’d lost my way, ’reindeer replied so very tired. Santa Clause touched his nose, ‘it’s time for a flight. Children are waiting all over the world we couldn’t disappoint them without Rudolph in my herd.’

As kangaroo, koala, echidna and wombat waved good bye the sleigh flew higher and higher up in the sky. Off with a flick of the reins he went as Rudolph led the way for Christmas day. The last thing the animals heard before sleep arrived was Santa Clause calling over Australian skies. ‘Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!’