Part One
Maya is four. Maya likes red socks and warm milk. It is Christmas Eve. Snow falls soft and slow. The house smells like cinnamon. Lights blink on the tree.
A tiny laugh slips from the tree. A small elf peeks out. He is the Mischief Elf. He has a twinkling hat. He loves tiny jokes.
Maya draws with a red crayon. She draws a star. She draws a heart. Then she sets the crayon down to hang an ornament. When she turns, the crayon is gone.
"Oh!" says Maya. "Where is my crayon?"
The Mischief Elf giggles. He hides behind a cookie jar. He tucks the crayon in a pocket of a stocking. He hides it under a mitten. He hums a merry tune. He only means fun.
Part Two
Maya looks under the couch. She looks in the drawer. She looks in the teapot. She calls her friend, Ben. Ben is four too. Ben brings his stuffed bear. "Let's find it," says Ben.
They search and sing. They hop like rabbits. They tiptoe like mice. They laugh and laugh. The elf peeks and claps a tiny hand.
"Did you see a red crayon?" asks Maya.
"No," says Ben, "but I see a glitter trail!"
They follow the glitter. It twinkles on the floor. It leads to the little tree. The elf hides behind a ribbon. He leaves a small clue—a paper snowflake with a smile.
Maya picks it up. "Thank you," she says to the snowflake. Ben dances in his socks. The elf watches with bright eyes.
They make riddles. "Is it in a shoe?" asks Maya. "Is it in a cup?" asks Ben. The elf drops a soft bell. The bell rings. The bell rings again. It sounds like a tiny laugh.
Maya hears the laugh. Ben hears the laugh. They follow the sound to the stocking. Maya reaches in. Her fingers find something smooth and red.
"It's my crayon!" she cries. "Hooray!"
The elf pops out on tiptoe. He bows. "I only wanted to play," he says with a whisper. Maya smiles. Ben smiles. They are not angry. They are happy.
Part Three
Maya shares the crayon with Ben. They draw a big heart on a card. They draw a star for the elf. They tape the card to the tree.
The elf claps. He gives them a tiny candy cane. They share it. They laugh. The house is warm and bright.
Maya hugs Ben. Ben hugs Maya. The elf hugs his hat. The crayon is safe in Maya's hand.
Night comes slow and soft. Snow hums on the roof. Maya cuddles her bear. Ben tucks his scarf. The elf tucks his hat. All is calm. All is kind.
"Good night," sings the tree.
"Good night," whispers the house.
They sleep with happy hearts.
