Santa leaned over the glowing flame, his cheeks were rosy as he was looking at the eager faces of his reindeer. It was Christmas Eve and Santa and his reindeer were getting ready for their busy night ahead.

"Quick, hide! Santa's counting!" called Dasher as Dancer giggled, pushing the door ajar. Cupid and Prancer circled each other, searching for the perfect spot. Comet and Vixen crawled under the bed, muffling their laughter with plush pillows. Donner and Blitzen clambered into the shed, where the elves were busy preparing the sleigh for tonights epic journey around the world.

"Wait for me!" called Rudolph. Suddenly, he tripped over a bucket of red paint that the elves were using to paint Santa's sleigh. "Oh dear!" he cried, rubbing his nose and glancing around, worried he might not find a good hiding place.

"Got you!" chuckled Santa as he spotted Dasher and Dancer hiding behind the door. "There you are!" he exclaimed, finding Cupid and Prancer prancing on the floor. "I see you!" he whispered, discovering Comet and Vixen beneath the bed. "I found you," he laughed, lifting Donner and Blitzen from the shed rafter

"But where is Rudolph? Oh, where can he be?" Santa mused, scratching his beard. "Could he be hiding behind the Christmas tree?" Suddenly, the lights went out. The elves gasped, and the reindeer huddled together, peering into the darkness.

"He's here!" Santa shouted joyfully, and the elves and reindeer burst into applause. Santa knelt beside Rudolph and asked, "Oh Rudolph, will you guide my sleigh tonight?" Rudolph beamed, his bright red nose lighting up the night, as the magic of Christmas filled the cottage with warmth and cheer.