Magical Stories about the Antics of Ufie a curious, mischievous, and sometimes just a bit naughty little elf

A story about childhood and carefree imagination A time when Ufie was born When we were children, the world was carefree and wondrous. It was a place where our imaginations could run free and flow like the wind. Reality and fancy-free fantasy intermingled in our curious and bright young minds.The Ufie the Elf stories were first born back in a simpler time that life has passed by when my mother used to read and tell stories to me at bedtime. I found out later as an adult that the Ufie The Elf stories she “read” to me were not actually books but stories she would tell and make up using her imagination and mine. When my oldest son Timothy was born I continued this tradition & have now decided to put some stories down on paper. I ask you to come back with me…float back in time to the carefree days of childhood. Before, the wonders of our minds were dimmed by our transformation to adulthood. Never gone completely, but just hidden in little corners in the deep recesses of our minds. So read on and enjoy a journey with me to a time when I was so convinced that Ufie The Elf…really was a Norwegian elf that worked in Santa's shop. copyright 2019 by Robert John

Welcome to the world of Ufie Magical Stories about the Antics of Ufie the Elf a curious, mischievous, and sometimes just a bit naughty little elf

The Red Paint Incident! Ufie The Elf, an imaginative, curious, mischievous little elf, had big ideas. His big ideas were always popping into his mind quickly, like popcorn kernels in a hot pan. He was a curious and sometimes just a bit naughty little elf. Not naughty in a bad way, it's just that his ideas tended to get him in a bit of trouble, but at the same time somehow ended up saving the day. His Cuzelfin Timmy Olson, nicknamed, “Olie”, had asked Ufie to go sledding with him the coming weekend down Overlook Hill. His Cuzelfin’s house was on the outskirts of Stavanderson Village right next to the overlook that was a sledding hill that led down to Troll Pond. It was an excellent sledding hill that gave you enough speed to scoot across the frozen pond into Troll territory. Not a problem if you just scooted across and came right back, but trolls are a little protective of their land, so the elves had to be a bit cautious.

Troll Territory The last time Ufie slid across, he fell off his sled, and the sled zoomed unelfed right to the feet of a stern Troll. The Troll spouted to Ufie, " HEY ELF, this is our land, and you need to get my permission to cross!" “I'm…I'm not crossing Troll", Ufie stammered, "We’re just sledding." Ufie was wondering now why he had told his Cuzelfin that he was going to break the distance record sledding too far into Troll land. Well, trolls were not supposed to scare little elves or kids for that matter, but they were after all trolls, and it was in their nature. So this particular Troll decided to scare little Ufie and grabbed his sled. It was a sled that had been handed down to him by his father. The Troll was massive, especially as compared to Ufie standing at 8 feet tall. He jumped on the sled to scoot up to Ufie and scare him. He only wanted to scare him to give him a warning, as that is what trolls did. The only problem was the Troll was just too big for the sled, and it could not handle the massive weight, and it broke in half! Ufie didn’t cry, but he wanted to! He was already worried about what he was going to tell Papdie who had warned him about sledding across the pond and too far into Troll Territory. So little Ufie was again in a bit of spot, which, as we know, was not an unusual thing for the little elf. Olie exclaimed," Ufie, you did it now!”

When Ufie’s Cuzelfin had asked him to go sledding again, he realized he had to find a way to build his new sled quickly, and without his Papdie's help as Ufie had his own ideas…as we know! Papdie, like most fathers, wanted to be the leader of the new sled project and had plans of his own about the design. Ufie, though like many little elves who were a lot like little boys, wanted to build it himself. The mischievous little elf snuck out to Papdie’s shop on his own with his own ideas on how to make the sled! The first thing that little Ufie saw was the big can of Papdie’s new red enamel paint. Paint that he was not supposed to touch without permission! We can already see where this is going, can't we! The curious, mischievous, and sometimes a bit naughty elf grabbed that can right off the shelf! He then went and foraged through Papdie's wood, looking for all the right pieces. Pieces that Papdie elf would not miss, he thought! Ufie’s First Sled Build The design of this sled was like a clear picture already in his head. He did not have to write it down or draw it out. Ufie had a gift of design built right into his bright elfin mind. It was a mind that had big ideas. Ideas that would take him big places someday! For now, he was just focusing on how to build this new sled and get it done before his Papdie got home.

He set to work and had the sled nearly complete in record magical elf time. He just had to put the finishing touches on it. The finishing touches, of course, included painting it with the bright red enamel paint… that he was not supposed to touch! It will be okay, he thought. I can do this with no problem. Papdie won't be too upset once he sees how nice of a sled I built! The Spill Ufie grabbed a brush and the paint can that he set right on the shop floor without using a drop cloth. I won't need a drop cloth, he thought. I'm not going to spill a drop! He didn't either. He did not spill or drip even one drop. He had done it! Now all he had to do was step away and let the paint dry. This was when it happened. He stepped back, admiring his special sleek new bright red sled! He stepped right back and knocked over that big can of bright red paint, spilling it onto the shop floor in an incriminating puddle! " What do I do now," muttered Ufie under his breath just as Papdie’s figure loomed in the doorway.

Supper and Bedtime Dreams Well, the big puddle of red paint told the story. Papdie and Momdie were upset, but also were admiring the sleek new sled Ufie had built. “Let’s go eat supper, and we can talk about this later. You know you are supposed to ask permission to work in my shop", Papdie said. So they went and ate supper. A quiet dinner that just let the paint and sled building incident off the table, so to speak and Ufie just slurped his soup and nibbled his lefsa. Supper was finished, and Ufie was sent off to an early bedtime. A bedtime that Ufie spent dreaming about his new sled, and how he was going to break the distance record sledding down Overlook Hill even further into Troll Land! Next, we will read about Ufie’s latest sledding adventure. What do you think might happen? Do you have any ideas? Well, you go to sleep now and dream about Ufie, and think up a few dreams of your own! .

The Crack in the Ice The dust had settled on the red paint incident in Papdie's shop, and the weekend had come for Ufie to try out his new sled with his Cuzelfin Olie. It was an unusually warm day in the cold foggy land that was Norway. Ufie awoke to the smell of fresh Panakuken Momdie was making for breakfast. Ufie, like all little elves and little boys alike, loved Saturday mornings. This one, in particular, was more exciting than usual. Today he was going to break the all-time distance record sledding way into troll territory on his sleek new bright red sled! At the breakfast table, Ufie still had to deal with the sternness of Papdie, who had still not let Ufie forget entirely about his mischievous red paint incident in the shop! Papdie gave Ufie a little lecture on responsibility and obeying rules. He went on to tell Ufie that he was pleased with the sleek new sled he had built. He then gave Ufie a little warning about sledding safety and the dangers of sledding across a frozen pond. "Ufie," he said, "the temperatures outside have been unusually warm for this time of year. I know you are excited about trying out your new sled, but remember what happened the last time you slid too far into troll territory!” Papdie had another warning for little Ufie. "Ufie," Papdie said, “Sargy elf and I took a look at Overlook Hill and Troll Pond last night when I was over at the Cuzelfin’s. You and Olie can have fun sledding today, but you are not to sled on the north side of the pond. The warm weather has weakened the ice, and I even saw some small cracks. The rest of the pond has thick ice just don't slide across the north side!

Silly Hats "Okay, Papdie," Ufie said with a sigh, knowing that the north side was the path he needed to take to break the distance record. After breakfast, Ufie got on his sledding clothes, which of course, included the silly hat his Momdie always made him wear to cover up those big ears of his and keep out the cold. "Momdie," Ufie said. "Do I really need to wear this today? It's a lot warmer outside, and besides, Olie will laugh at me again!” “Yes, Ufie, you still need to wear it, that is if you still want to go sledding. Of course, you could stay home and help me make candles if you wish!” Well, it was a good try, but Ufie knew if he wanted to go sledding…he had to wear the silly looking hat. Do your parents ever make you wear silly hats and warm clothes like Ufie? Off Ufie went pulling his new sled and of course, dreaming about how he could still break the distance record! Ufie's Big Ideas never went away quietly! So he trudged over to Olie's house and found him already sledding down Overlook Hill along with his little sister Keeky, and his little brother Bubby Boy. Bubby Boy’s real name was Andy, but when he was first learning to talk he liked to say bub bub bub, so he became known as Bubbers which eventually morphed into Bubby Boy! Keeky still calls him Bubbers. Just as Ufie predicted when Olie saw him, he laughed a bit, saying, “Is your Momdie still making you wear that silly hat!” "Yes," Ufie noted, "it was one of the conditions she gave me to go sledding!" Olie went on to explain that his Momdie told him he could go sledding with conditions as well. He had to take Keeky and Bubby Boy along with him. He was also implicitly told they had to stay off the north side of the pond. Finally, Olie's Momdie said, "When you’re done sledding, you will need to help finish up the chores." What is it with these parents Ufie was thinking do they plan out all these rules together!

The Sled Now Ufie did not really mind having Keeky join them on the sledding adventure as she always had a smile for little Ufie. She liked Ufie because he was creative and small like her, so she felt more like a big elf when he was around even though she was 2 years younger! Bubby Boy looked up to Ufie as well and was like a little brother to him. Ufie was also proud to show off his new sled, and he would have more witnesses to his breaking the distance record! He still had not given up on his Big Idea! Keeky did not help things when she said to Ufie with a little twinkle in her elfin eyes, "Ufie, that looks like the fastest sleekest sled I've ever seen!" Yes, Ufie thought to himself as he grinned I’m still going to break that record. I’ll find a way! Olie exclaimed, “let's go before our parents change their minds.” So off the little elves went sledding straight down Overlook Hill and right down the center of Troll Pond. The trail was still fast, and they hit the pond, spinning and laughing. Keeky elf spun the fastest. She was a little elf with a lot of spunk and loved to outdo her brother’s and her Cuzelfin Ufie.

Soon other elves from the village joined them. The Brettingen’s and Caswellson’s showed up to sled and spin on the slippery ice of Troll Pond. The Caswellson’s were a unique bunch, and they showed up with some newfangled things they called snowboards! Ufie was not the only creative elf in Stavanderson Village. Nine little elves all enjoying this Saturday morning of sledding and snowboarding fun including Aussie, Madi, Meggy, Trevy, and Travy all joined Ufie, Keeky, Timmy and Bubby Boy on this sledding adventure. Of course, all the little elves had been given the same parental instruction. Stay off the north side of the pond. The Caswellsons were given an unusually stern warning from Sargy Elf, who was the patrol elf in charge of protecting Stavanderson Village. The sledding & snowboarding went on several times until Ufie’s Auntelfin Nonie appeared at the top of Overlook Hill with cookies and hot chocolate. So the elves took a break all the while Ufie was still thinking about how he could pull off his Big Idea! It was then that Sargy along with Beany showed up with their snowboards to join in the fun as even adult elves like to have fun, and everyone knew the Caswellson’s loved family snow outings! Beany had her snowboard ready to give it another try even though her caboose was still sore from her last attempts at snowboarding! Before they resumed, the sledding Ufie’s big idea was again tempered by Auntelfin Nonie and Sargy reminding them to stay off the north side of the pond! What is it with these parents, Ufie thought? Ufie decided that maybe… just maybe they were right. Perhaps he should wait until the pond was frozen hard again on the north side. Besides, not only that, but Ufie was a little afraid. He was a bit fearful of two things. One being running into that troll again who just might break his new sled too! The other thing he was afraid of was breaking through that ice. He also knew if he attempted it, he would be disobeying Papdie and Momdie again! So Ufie decided for once he would obey. What he did not realize is that he was not the only little elf with big ideas! Little Keeky like Ufie had big plans of her own. She had been thinking! I'm a smaller and lighter elf, and my sled is fast too! I can break the new distance record before Ufie does!

The little record-breaker So for once, Ufie had listened to his parents and continued sledding straight down the middle of the pond and was still enjoying his new sled that was really fast. The elves were just about running out of energy and were all thinking the same thing. "Let's go down one more time and call it a day," said Olie. Well, they were just about thinking the same thing, but little Keeky had something a bit different in mind. She surprised both Ufie and Olie when she took the path heading down to the north side of the pond. Both Olie and Ufie yelled at the same time. "Keeky, no!" The other elves were staring in fear and astonishment as little Keeky elf headed down to the north side of the pond. They were helpless to do anything as they were trudging back up the hill. The little elf with her big idea was off and moving fast. She was going to show those boy elves that girl elves can do big things too! She hit the north side of the pond in record time sledding faster than any of them had all day! She was going to do it. She was going to break the record and was over halfway across the pond when it happened. The ice cracked, and she broke through her sled still floating just enough to keep her above water with her little elfin hand holding on to the side of the break in the ice. Ufie thought fast, and even though he was afraid he got a running start jumping onto his sled and zoomed down the path to the north side of the pond. Zooming the fastest he ever had, he skimmed over the top of the thin ice. He even sailed over the top of the water where the ice had broken. In one quick motion, he grabbed his little Cuzelfin Keeky, and just kept right on zooming. Together they zoomed across the pond right into troll territory with such speed that together they made it all the way to the troll bridge. He had not only saved little keeky but had broken the distance record in the process. "Yelling, I did it. I broke the distance record!" Just then, a little voice said, "No, Ufie…we broke the record!" They both laughed, and Keeky thanked Ufie for saving her. Even the troll who was hiding under the bridge laughed at the antics. But even the troll had to be like a parent saying, “don’t you elves know better than to sled across thin ice!”

The trudge home So again, little Ufie had to trudge home, but this time knowing he would not be in trouble. Keeky, though, knew she was going to have to face her Momdie and Papdie. Olie was smiling and relieved and told Ufie that he had never seen a sled move so fast. "You were just a blur," said Olie. Sargy elf complimented Ufie on his quick thinking too! All of the elves went on to congratulate him on breaking the distance record. Ufie exclaimed, “no everybody…we broke the record”, and little Keeky elf just smiled. On the trudge back to Olie’s house for more hot chocolate, Ufie's elfin mind was still churning and had another idea pop into his head. It was another idea for a sled design. This design called for a runner sled that was also a kind of a boat! This is where Ufie came up with the idea of his fastest ever boat-like sled that he planned to use not only to break the distance record down Overlook Hill but to attempt a shot to the moon! Ufie, Olie, Keeky, Bubby Boy, and all the other elves sipped their hot chocolate and told the story to a stern-looking Momdie elf who was a little upset at Keeky but thanked Ufie for his quick thinking. Ufie smiled and kept on daydreaming about his fantastic new sled design.

It was a briskly chilly winter day deep in the fjords of the land called Norway. It was a day clouded by the fogs with a light wind that could make you cold to the bones and kept most folks indoors by the fireplace sipping mom's hot chocolate. It kept most indoors but not the boyish, mischievous, and just a little bit naughty elf named "Ufie." Ufie was in elf years 30, but elf aging time is 3 times as fast, so in boy years, he was only 10. He was a small and young-looking 10 that could be and often was confused as an 8-year-old elf! Ufie might have been short in stature, but he walked big and had big ideas that were always spilling out of him. The Big Idea Momdie, as he affectionately called his mother, “I’m going to build the fastest sled ever and zoom down Storvikan Peak so fast that I will do a jump off Sorenson Point and fly to the moon”! “Oh, Ufie," Momdie said,” You sure have big ideas." “Do you think Papdie will let me use some of his wood," Ufie asked? “Oh my," Momdie said, “He needs that wood to make a new cabinet…let’s just wait and see." "Okay, Momdie," Ufie said with a sigh, "then I'm going to go over to the Olson Cuzelfin’s." "Be back in time for supper," she yelled after him as he walked out the door. Now, remember that Ufie is a curious, mischievous, and sometimes just a bit naughty little elf. He was also an elf with big ideas that usually could not wait…so, of course, he didn't. Instead of going to his Cuzelfin’s, he snuck out to the workshop and drew up a plan in his head for the fastest sled ever. I’ll just use a few pieces of Papdie’s wood thought, Ufie. He won’t miss them!

Another thing you need to know about Ufie is the ideas that spill out of his elfin brain are like pictures so stunning and clear that he does not need to write them down on paper. He can see them perfectly in his mind and see them again and again when he needs them. The sled he thought up in his head was a sleek wooden and uniquely Ufie runner sled. The design called for 2 each 2.5 foot long 1 foot wide and 3 inches deep pieces of mahogany that just so happened to be leaning right up against the back of Papdie's shop. It also called for a 1.5 foot long 1-inch wide piece of mahogany, and 2 identical pieces of willow wood 3 feet long, by 4 inches wide and just an inch thick. Some dowel rods and rope rounded out the materials needed…not to mention the bright red paint that Ufie was not supposed to go near again after the accidental floor painting incident, but ( that’s another story for another day)! The Build Ufie began to make his sled with plenty of time to have it done before Papdie got home. First, he took the two 3 inch thick pieces of mahogany that he was sure his father would not miss! He glued them together to make one 6 inches deep piece of solid wood. While that dried, he began shaping the handle of the sled and drilled holes in the center, and one close to each end. Then he grabbed the 3 foot long pieces of willow wood. Willow wood is a durable and slightly flexible wood that is also really hard and can be sanded to an extremely smooth surface. Add some of Papdie's special enamel paint, and you have the fastest runners ever! By this time, the glue had dried, and Ufie began to saw the body of the sled to a sleek triangular shape on what would be the aerodynamic front end. Then he carved out a rounded hollow to provide a place for Ufie to lie down in and stay out of the wind. It was a runner sled that was also a bit of a boat…and that too is another Ufie story to be told on another day. Little Ufie sometimes makes mistakes, but he learns from them, and often times what seems initially to be a big mistake turns out to be something that ends up saving the day. But let’s stick to the sledding to the moon story for now...shall we…ok.

Ufie finished carving out what looked like a little boat square with slightly rounded corners in the back that came to a triangular point in front. He sanded, smoothed it out, and painted it with more of Papdie's special clear enamel paint. It was just deep enough for Ufie to fit snuggly yet still see over the sides while he was lying down inside of it. Oh yes, it might be essential to tell you UfieThe Elf is only 2 ft tall, and the 5 inches hollowed out the shape of the boat nearly made him disappear! That is where he was hidden away when Momdie checked to see if Ufie was in the shop…well, he was, but you could not see him as he slunk down. He did not get caught, and so the story continues...or is this just a story. Legend and folklore have it that Ufie The Elf is not only real...but still residing in a magical place that you have probably heard of. Can you think where that might be? Let’s read on and see if your guess is right? The build goes on with Ufie painting, sanding, drilling, and before you know it in Magical elf time, Ufie finished his sled. He finished before Papdie got home, and with plenty of time to go test out his moon shot theory on Storvikan Peak. Ufie with his tiny frame that walked big and carried along big ideas pulled that sleek boat-like, runner sled with the brightest red and smoothest runners ever made in the history of sled-making! That’s how big Ufie's ideas were! He pulled that sleek new contraption built-in magical elf time of only 30 minutes right out that door into the brisk, chilly winter day that chilled most folks…even elves to the bone. But not Ufie as he was an elf with big ideas. Ideas that wrapped him in a warm blanket of imagination that helped keep out the cold. As he marched and trudged through the snow on his way to Storvikan Peak, the highest place in all of Norway, Ufie envisioned himself sledding to the moon and landing softly on the "cheesy" moon dust. The moon is made out of cheese, right? Storvikan Peak was just past Sorenson Point, which was much smaller by comparison and overlooked the shortest and shallowest fjord in Norway. Ufie could see the looming height of Storvikan Peak overshadowing and consuming the shorter hills in front of him. It is said that Storvikan Peak is so tall it is above the highest clouds. So Ufie trudged on with the vision of his moon shot clear as day in his head. Not afraid one bit... okay maybe just a little scared, but Ufie’s curious and mischievous nature overcame most of his fears…most of the time. Up Sorenson Point, Ufie went… finally getting a chance to test out the new sled he slid down, and sure enough, it was fast. He went so fast that he made it halfway up the side of Storvikan Peak. This, of course, made it even quicker than average elf time to reach the top.

The Moon Shot So begins what is the beginning of Ufie The Elf's magical journey. Sitting atop this sky-reaching peak, Ufie actually was peering down on the tops of clouds. It was true he thought…it is taller than the highest clouds! Now he was beginning to be a little afraid. Would you be a bit fearful like Ufie? Well, it's okay to be a bit scared sometimes as it can make life fun and exciting. Just don't let it stop you from going after your big ideas…Ufie didn't! He jumped in his sleek, boat-like, fastest ever built runner sled. He zoomed down one side of Storvikan Peak so quickly that he was sure glad his Momdie made him wear an elf hat that covered his big ears. (Oh yes) It's important to know...Ufie was small in stature…but he had big ears! Even bigger than average elf ears! His big ears are another story you can read about later. So his hat covered his ears and also had a chin strap that kept it on his head. He usually hated it that Momdie made him wear it outside because some of the other elves would pick on him about it…but today, he was glad to have it! He zoomed and zoomed, and his big idea seemed like it was going to work. Yes, Ufie was going to shoot up the side of Sorenson Point so fast it would propel him to the moon, and all before supper! What do you think is going to happen? Will Ufie make it to the moon? Well, let's read on and see…but first, let's hear about the situation back at Ufie's little elfin home hidden away in the hills of Norway in a village called Stavanderson…named after, of course, Ufie's great-great grandelfin.

So now you know Ufie's full name…well, almost he also has a first & middle name. Hans Olson Stavanderson. Also referred to as H.O and nicknamed “Ufie” after mispronouncing Ufda as a little Elf! Olson was his mother’s maiden name. Back at the village, Papdie had just gotten home. He asked Momdie when supper was…and if he had time to go start his project. What project do you think he meant. Oh, yes, you are right, the Mahogany cabinet! Momdie said, “Yes, dear supper is a bit late tonight, go ahead and get started. I’ll call you when it is ready.” "Okay," said Papdie, and by the way, where is Ufie? I want him to learn how to make a tongue and groove joint”. “Well, that will have to wait," Momdie replied, “He went over to the Olson Cuzelfin’s." We know where he really was, though! Papdie elf changed into his shop clothes and trudged on out to the shop to begin his project. What do you think he noticed? He saw some missing wood, a drill, and some other tools out of place. " UFDA, UFIE," he yelled, as he saw the tipped red paint can spill in a small but incriminating puddle! Oh, did I forget to mention that Ufie spilled the Red Paint again! Momdie heard the "telling" yell from her kitchen…she shuddered a bit as she wondered…oh my what did UFIE do now. Lucky for Ufie, he was nowhere to be found…at least not easily as he was just about to embark on the adventure of his life…even bigger than the ideas he had in his head! Steam was blowing out of Papdie’s ears (he had big ears too) where do you think Ufie got them from? So the steam kept blowing out in puffs...like smoke then disappearing, unlike Papdie’s anger, which would take a while to cool down and disappear…but it would. Papdie loved Ufie and knew that the big ideas in his head… maybe even bigger than Storvikan Fjord caused a bit of trouble at times but would take Ufie big places someday. So he tried to encourage the little Elf…even when his ideas caused some problems! Do you ever have any big ideas?

Little did Papdie know that this time, Ufie’s big plans would not only cause a mess in the shop…but took him to a big place. Maybe the most magical place you can think of. Do you have any ideas where? Where were we...oh, yes…Ufie was zooming. He zoomed so fast down Storvikan Peak through the valley in a nanosecond, and up the side of the Sorenson Point which acted like the most gigantic Ski Jump ever built! (Yep, Ufie’s antics are what started the Norwegian tradition of Ski jumping). Ufie with speeds never reached on a runner sled in the history of sledding zoomed right up this mountain-sized ramp. Did he have enough speed to make it to the moon? What do you think? Well, here is a little lesson for you in physics. Even a little elf magic does not provide enough thrust to propel a little elf and his sled out of Earth’s gravitational pull. That takes rocket power at 1000 miles per hour…and this takes place back in 1820 well before rockets were invented! Well, Ufie did not make it to the moon, but he did shoot up very high in a perfect arc that brought him directly back to and above Storvikan Peak. Then his ascent slowed down…and he began to drop back down….slowly at first and then gained speed at 9.8 meters per second squared straight down to the exact center of Storvikan Peak! Ufie did not get scared often…but all of a sudden, he realized he had not thought about an earthly landing. He thought he would float to a soft landing on the moon. Not a hard landing back on top of Storvikan Peak!

Surprise landing He was a bit afraid…Okay, really afraid so afraid his mother heard him yell Momdie from high atop Storvikan Peak! She said to herself, “Ufda…did I just hear Ufie scream Momdie? Where is that boy...it sounded like it came right out of the sky?” She actually looked up and saw Storvikan Peak, but it was too late and too far to see little Ufie anyway as he fell not to a hard landing…but a big surprise landing. For at the top of Storvikan Peak was a magical entrance. An entrance to the most gigantic slide ever designed. Ufie’s sled fit perfectly on this slide like they were designed to go together. Like Peanut Butter and Jelly. So he hit that slide fast but smooth and slid down right through the middle of this mountainous hill. Down… down… down Ufie went in time that stood still, and in an instant, he flew out the bottom into the softest and biggest snowbank he had ever seen. Remember he lived in Norway, so he had seen some big ones! So no hard landing for Ufie, but a soft, and incredulous landing that was the beginning of a magical adventure. So, where do you think Ufie landed? Do you have any ideas?

The North Pole Ufie’s eyes were as big as saucers…he had seen drawings of Santa’s village at the North Pole, …and this was it he was sure. That thought was confirmed when he heard a yell…much like Papdie’s yell. Very Loud…and a bit intimidating! "Hey, YOU ELF! Why are you out sledding when there is work to be done at Santa's Shop" exclaimed the Patrol Elf. Oh, no thought, Ufie, I miss the moon and sled to the North Pole by accident, and I'm already in a bit of trouble. So was the beginning of Ufie's magical adventure that brought him to Santa's workshop and the North Pole. The End Next time we will continue this story with Ufie meets Santa, and he will also meet another elf who was known for his Big Ideas! Soon Ufie will begin his first of many different jobs at Santa’s workshop and become a big part of the toy-making operation at the North Pole. We kind of know what happens to Ufie when he ends up in a workshop, don't we? What types of things do you think might happen? Well you go to sleep now…we will continue this tomorrow night, but you go ahead and dream about Ufie and his big ideas…and dream up a few of your own while you’re at it!

Ufie Meet’s St. Nick Little Ufie’s antics and attempted Moon Shot had propelled him right to the North Pole. He was already in a bit of trouble with the patrol elf who thought Ufie was an elf playing hooky from the toy-making operation. He said to Ufie, "You are going to explain things to St. Nick yourself". Ufie was used to explaining himself as he was quite often in predicaments of his own causing! He wondered why it had to start this way with good old St. Nick. He had nothing to worry about, though, for he had an elf in his corner before he even arrived. Solander Elf was the Head Elf at the North Pole, and he was also the Mayelf of Santa’s village. He was waiting next to St. Nick with a big smile on his face. A smile that was matched by his human folk wife Candy who just happened to be St. Nick’s daughter!. They had been waiting for Ufie to arrive for years. Solander, knew this little elf would magically show up as he had found a second book written by his Great Great Grandelfin that foretold of little Ufie. When Solander saw Ufie, he exclaimed, "I've been waiting for you little Ufie. I'm your Grandelfin, and you could not have shown up at a better time. Don't worry, I sent a Pixie to tell your parents where you are and that you are safe. They know you will be working here through the Season of Giving. St. Nick gave out a big HO HO HO. He smiled, saying you sure are a mischievous little elf Ufie, and Solander is right. We have been having issues with our sled designs, and your new boat like sled is the most creative idea we have seen in years.

“I also understand you are good with paint," St. Nick said with another little chuckle. Everybody grinned…they all knew of Ufie's red paint incidents! So such was the beginning of Ufie’s first meeting with Santa. Solander and Candy gave Ufie a big hug and said, “You must be hungry as we know you intended on being home before supper!" So off, Ufie went to eat supper with his Grandelfin to catch up on the whole story. On the way, Ufie met Jay another human folk often confused as a goofy elf and just happened to be Candy’s brother! Jay elf was known to wear green tights and fake elf ears! Everybody knew Jay was not really an elf, but everyone called him Jay elf! Ufie would be working closely with Jay in the sled design workshop. At supper, Solander explained things to Ufie and sent him off to bed, saying that tomorrow he can get started on teaching the other elves how to duplicate his fantastic sled! We have a lot of work to do, Ufie! Ufie went to sleep dreaming about his magical journey and his new job at the North Pole. More ideas were already popping into his bright elfin mind. Ufie slept and imagined like never before and awoke the next morning to the smell of breakfast and the excitement of being the newest elf at the North Pole! So now you know the full story as to how Ufie the Elf ended up being an elf at the North Pole where he used his gift of creative design to build things in St. Nicks workshop. Ufie now had a grand place to think up new and even bigger ideas. The antics, ideas, and mischievousness would bring even more adventures in the future. He was, of course, still a curious, mischievous, and sometimes just a bit naughty little elf after all!

A note from the Author... Ufie The Elf stories come straight from my own imagination. It is an imagination that has been intermingled with the folklore about elves, gnomes, and trolls. It, of course, includes the legend of St. Nick. Ufie stories are meant to be read using your own imagination and that of the child you are reading it too. The stories my mother told me were not read to me but told along with questions about what I thought. So use the template of the Ufie stories I have written and adapt them and change them to include your child's imagination while you read and "tell" the story. I told Ufie stories to my son Timmy when he was still little enough to be read to at bedtime! Together we came up with all kinds of adventures of a little elf named Ufie. A curious, magical, Norwegian, mischievous, and sometimes just a little bit naughty little elf! I have written a background story that wraps into the four short stories that have been already been completed. Once that has gone through the final editing & proofing process as well as completing the illustrations for an actual hardcover book, I plan to publish the series & dedicate it to my mother who has always been a voracious reader and through that inspired my, imagination That is my big idea! Robert John Nichols