In tonight's specially selected rewind story, we spend Christmas with a little mouse named Chestnut who is awoken from her slumber by a peculiar noise outside. With her mother at her side, Chestnut investigates the sound and they are amazed to find a very special mouse standing in the snow. It's Father Christmouse and he needs their help! Relax, get sleepy, and letβs begin!
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Narrator π Abbe Opher
Author βοΈ Gillian Rogerson
[00:00:10] Hello and welcome back to Koala Moon, a podcast of original children's bedtime stories and meditations designed to make bedtime a dream.
[00:00:21] We're still in the Christmas story groove and tonight I've got a super sweet tale that takes place on a snowy Christmas Eve.
[00:00:30] A young mouse called Chestnut is awoken from her slumber by a peculiar noise outside.
[00:00:35] With her mother at her side, Chestnut investigates the sound and they are amazed to find a very special mouse standing in the snow.
[00:00:46] It's Father Christmouse and he needs their help.
[00:00:50] Chestnut and her mother agree to help him and swing into action.
[00:00:55] Before long, they're going on a magical journey through the starry skies together on an adventure they will never forget.
[00:01:03] Before we begin, a quick message for the grown-ups.
[00:01:08] If you'd like to support our podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, unlock four bonus stories per month and much, much more, you can join Coco Club.
[00:01:18] Subscribe in just two taps via the link in the show notes.
[00:01:22] But now here's a quick word from our sponsors.
[00:01:24] If you loved the time-travelling antics of potato and beans in the wild, wild west,
[00:01:29] I've got a great new podcast for you.
[00:01:32] It's called Mysteries About True Histories, and it follows best friends Max and Molly on thrilling time-travelling quests.
[00:01:40] Using their maths and logic skills, they must outsmart pesky trolls and prevent chaos across space and time.
[00:01:48] It's full of adventure, clever puzzles, and plenty of fun.
[00:01:53] Can they crack the code before time runs out?
[00:01:56] Join in on the fun every Thursday to find out.
[00:01:59] Follow Mysteries About True Histories on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your podcasts.
[00:02:07] Hey, sleepyheads!
[00:02:08] I'm Kelly, the host of Koala Shine, the perfect daytime adventure show for long car journeys, school runs, and lazy Sunday mornings.
[00:02:15] I'm popping up here on Koala Moon because I've heard you want more Koala Kids stories, and I'm here to deliver.
[00:02:22] Beep beep, special delivery!
[00:02:23] Koala Shine is a tiny bit different from Koala Moon, as it's designed for daytime listening.
[00:02:28] So, after a great night's sleep with a story from Abby, you can have a big old stretch and tune in to Koala Shine,
[00:02:34] joining your favourite characters on crazy adventures around the world.
[00:02:38] With new episodes every Friday, we'll follow Hector and Sunny on a daytime safari,
[00:02:43] explore the big city with Munchie the Raccoon, and visit the circus with SuperSoul.
[00:02:48] You'll also hear cool facts, jokes, and learn about the world we live in.
[00:02:51] Plus, there's a chance for your voices to be featured on the podcast too.
[00:02:55] Koala Shine offers mindful, fun entertainment on the move, designed to spark curiosity.
[00:03:00] Search Koala Shine now on your favourite podcast platform.
[00:03:04] And be sure to hit follow so that finding your next adventure is easy-peasy lemon squeezy.
[00:03:08] Hope to see you there!
[00:03:10] Koala Shine!
[00:03:16] Settle down and fill your minds with visions of snowflakes, glowing warm fireplaces,
[00:03:24] gift-stuffed stockings, and a wonderfully golden, ornate sleigh.
[00:03:30] This is Father Christmas by Gillian Rogerson.
[00:03:41] T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the house not a creature was stirring,
[00:03:48] except for one mouse.
[00:03:50] Her name was Chestnut, and she was fast asleep in her cosy bed,
[00:03:55] until a clattering noise from outside woke her up.
[00:03:59] She left her bed and went into her mother's room.
[00:04:02] The clattering noise filled the air again, and her mother stirred from her slumber.
[00:04:08] She opened her eyes and looked at Chestnut.
[00:04:11] She asked what the noise was.
[00:04:14] Chestnut shrugged and said she didn't know, but it was coming from outside.
[00:04:20] Her mother got out of bed and walked over to the window.
[00:04:24] She pulled back the curtain and looked out.
[00:04:27] She looked around.
[00:04:28] Her eyes widened in surprise, and she said,
[00:04:32] Chestnut, come over here and look at this.
[00:04:36] Tell me what you can see.
[00:04:39] The little mouse joined her mother at the window.
[00:04:42] Her eyes widened in surprise too, and she said,
[00:04:48] It looks like Father Christmas, with his sleigh and reindeer.
[00:04:54] Her mother nodded.
[00:04:56] I'm glad you can see them too.
[00:04:59] I thought my eyes were playing a Christmas trick on me for a moment.
[00:05:05] Chestnut peered closer through the window.
[00:05:08] She asked,
[00:05:10] What's he doing outside our house?
[00:05:14] Isn't he supposed to be flying through the sky and delivering presents to everyone?
[00:05:19] The two mice watched Father Christmas as he walked round and round his sleigh.
[00:05:26] He stopped now and again to take off his red hat and scratch his head.
[00:05:32] Chestnut's mother said,
[00:05:33] I think there's something wrong with his sleigh.
[00:05:38] It could be broken.
[00:05:39] Hmm.
[00:05:41] We should go outside and ask if everything is okay.
[00:05:45] Get your coat and boots on, Chestnut.
[00:05:48] It's cold out there.
[00:05:50] Chestnut dashed away to get her coat from the hallway.
[00:05:54] She grabbed her mother's two along with their boots,
[00:05:57] and swiftly returned to the bedroom.
[00:06:01] Her mother was still looking out of the window.
[00:06:04] When she saw Chestnut, she said,
[00:06:07] Yes, his sleigh is definitely broken.
[00:06:11] He keeps prodding the buttons on the control panel.
[00:06:15] They make a clattering noise for a few seconds, and then stop.
[00:06:20] He keeps looking under the sleigh too.
[00:06:26] The mice put on their coats and boots and left the house.
[00:06:29] They padded through the thick snow over to Father Christmas,
[00:06:34] and stood next to him.
[00:06:36] He didn't notice them because he was mumbling to himself,
[00:06:41] and talking about how he just didn't understand it.
[00:06:46] Chestnut's mother let out a polite cough and said,
[00:06:51] Excuse us.
[00:06:53] We don't mean to bother you, but are you having trouble with your sleigh?
[00:06:59] Father Christmas stared at the mice.
[00:07:02] Oh, hello.
[00:07:05] I didn't see you there.
[00:07:06] Yes, yes, I am having trouble with my sleigh.
[00:07:10] It won't take off.
[00:07:12] It's been fine for the first part of my evening, but now, he shrugged.
[00:07:18] Now it just won't lift off.
[00:07:21] This has never happened before, and I've checked everything I can think of,
[00:07:26] but nothing has worked.
[00:07:28] I don't know what I'm going to do.
[00:07:31] I've still got many presents to deliver.
[00:07:36] He sighed, and his breath turned into a whirling wisp of air in front of him.
[00:07:44] Chestnut smiled shyly at Father Christmas and said,
[00:07:48] My mother will be able to fix it.
[00:07:51] She can fix anything, can't you, Mum?
[00:07:55] You fix the washing machine, the shower, and the tumble dryer.
[00:08:00] Oh, and my radio.
[00:08:01] Hello?
[00:08:02] Chestnut's mum smiled and waved her paw in the air as though fixing all those things was nothing at all.
[00:08:10] Father Christmas gave Chestnut's mother a hopeful smile and asked if she could possibly look at his sleigh.
[00:08:21] Chestnut's mother said,
[00:08:23] I've never repaired a sleigh before, but I can take a look.
[00:08:28] Chestnut, would you fetch my toolbox, please?
[00:08:32] Chestnut grinned and ran back into the house.
[00:08:36] Father Christmas smiled at Chestnut's mother and said,
[00:08:41] I remember delivering a toy tool set to you when you were a child.
[00:08:48] Your name is Morag, isn't it?
[00:08:51] Morag nodded and smiled at the memory of receiving her first tool set.
[00:08:57] She told Father Christmas that she loved fixing things and building things too.
[00:09:04] She had plans to build her own house one day.
[00:09:09] Father Christmas said he was certain that would happen.
[00:09:14] A soft smile alighted on Morag's face and she gazed into the distance,
[00:09:21] lost in thoughts about her building dreams.
[00:09:26] Chestnut returned with her mother's toolbox held firmly in her paw.
[00:09:32] Morag noticed her daughter and took the toolbox from her.
[00:09:37] Thank you, Chestnut.
[00:09:39] She turned to Father Christmas and asked if she could examine the sleigh
[00:09:45] and if he could tell her how it normally operated.
[00:09:51] Father Christmas showed Morag the control panel.
[00:09:54] There were two buttons on it.
[00:09:57] One was labelled up and the other one was labelled down.
[00:10:03] Morag scratched her head, opened her toolbox and took out a spanner,
[00:10:09] a hammer and a pair of pliers.
[00:10:13] She got into the sleigh and sat on the padded seat in front of the control panel.
[00:10:18] There was a determined look on her face.
[00:10:23] Father Christmas and Chestnut left her to it.
[00:10:27] They walked over to the reindeer who were waiting patiently for the sleigh to move again.
[00:10:34] Father Christmas introduced them to the young mouse and, from within his pockets,
[00:10:40] he produced a handful of carrots.
[00:10:43] He gave them to Chestnut and asked her to feed the reindeer.
[00:10:49] Chestnut walked around the beautiful animals and gave each one a crunchy carrot.
[00:10:57] The reindeer nibbled on the delicious vegetable and smiled their thanks at Chestnut.
[00:11:04] She smiled back at them.
[00:11:07] A few moments later, her mother declared,
[00:11:12] Aha! There's a loose wire here.
[00:11:16] I'll have that sorted out in a jiffy.
[00:11:20] Chestnut didn't know how long a jiffy was,
[00:11:23] but it wasn't very long because her mother soon told Father Christmas that the sleigh had been fixed.
[00:11:31] Hopefully, her mother added with a small smile.
[00:11:35] Do you want to test the up button and we'll see what happens?
[00:11:40] Father Christmas got into the sleigh and sat on the padded seat next to Morag and pressed the up button.
[00:11:48] With a low rumble, the sleigh fired up and rose slightly off the ground.
[00:11:56] Father Christmas grinned at Morag and gave her a thumbs up.
[00:12:01] The reindeer let out a kind of honking noise, which Chestnut assumed was a cheer.
[00:12:09] Morag said,
[00:12:10] Well, we'll let you get on.
[00:12:12] It was lovely to meet you, Father Christmas.
[00:12:16] Have a wonderful evening.
[00:12:19] Father Christmas said,
[00:12:21] Wait a moment, please.
[00:12:24] Chestnut, Morag, would you like to come with me as I deliver the rest of the presents?
[00:12:30] It won't take long and if you want to return home at any time, just let me know.
[00:12:38] Chestnut clasped her paws together eagerly and gave her mother a long, hopeful look.
[00:12:46] Morag said to Father Christmas,
[00:12:50] That's very kind of you, but we don't want to be a bother.
[00:12:55] Father Christmas said they wouldn't be a bother at all, and he would love to have their company.
[00:13:03] Also, he added with a pointed look at the control panel, I could do with you by my side in case my sleigh breaks down again.
[00:13:14] Morag glanced at her daughter, who was still giving her a hopeful stare and said,
[00:13:19] Okay, yes, we would love that. Thank you.
[00:13:25] Morag put her tools back in the box and then stowed it under the seat in case it was needed again.
[00:13:32] Chestnut leapt onto the hovering sleigh and snuggled down next to her mother.
[00:13:37] She grinned up at her.
[00:13:40] Her mother grinned back and put her arm around her daughter.
[00:13:44] Father Christmas called out to the reindeer.
[00:13:47] Now, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen.
[00:13:53] Now Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen.
[00:13:57] Off we go.
[00:13:59] The reindeer took a few steps forward and then rose into the starry sky, pulling the sleigh behind them.
[00:14:09] Chestnut and her mother let out little gasps of amazement as they left the snowy ground behind.
[00:14:16] They looked over the side of the sleigh and saw the top of their snow-covered house.
[00:14:22] The snow on the roof glistened in the light of the moon.
[00:14:28] Chestnut asked where they were going first.
[00:14:32] Father Christmas said,
[00:14:35] We'll visit the mice who live in your village.
[00:14:39] We'll head to the row of houses near the school first.
[00:14:42] I've got lots of presents to deliver there.
[00:14:47] He guided the sleigh to the right and headed to a row of red-bricked houses that were bedecked with fairy lights.
[00:14:55] A blanket of snow covered every roof.
[00:15:00] Chestnut told Father Christmas that some of her friends lived in the houses.
[00:15:06] Father Christmas gave her a knowing smile and a nod.
[00:15:12] He landed the sleigh smoothly on the middle roof and asked Chestnut if she could look into the sack of toys underneath the seat and pick out the first present.
[00:15:25] Chestnut frowned.
[00:15:27] Chestnut frowned.
[00:15:27] She hadn't noticed a sack of toys when she'd climbed into the sleigh, but she looked under the seat anyway.
[00:15:36] There was a sack of toys and it was made of soft red velvet.
[00:15:44] It was only a small sack and Chestnut wasn't sure it contained enough presents.
[00:15:51] As if sensing her concern, Father Christmas said,
[00:15:56] That's a magical sack made by my elves.
[00:16:00] It's much, much bigger on the inside.
[00:16:05] Every time we arrive at a house, the right present will move to the top of the sack, ready to be picked out.
[00:16:14] I'm going to deliver a gift to a young mouse called Flossie first.
[00:16:20] Chestnut, can you reach into the sack and see what you pull out?
[00:16:26] Chestnut reached into the sack and her paw alighted on a box.
[00:16:31] She pulled it out.
[00:16:33] It was wrapped in gold paper and tied with a red ribbon.
[00:16:38] The gift tag attached to the gift confirmed it was for Flossie.
[00:16:45] Chestnut smiled and told Father Christmas that Flossie was one of her school friends and her favourite colours were red and gold.
[00:16:56] Once again, Father Christmas gave her a knowing smile and a nod.
[00:17:02] Chestnut wondered what was inside the box, but didn't ask because she knew Flossie would tell her when they next met up.
[00:17:11] She handed the box to Father Christmas.
[00:17:15] He jumped lightly out of the sleigh and into the soft snow on the roof.
[00:17:20] He told the mice he wouldn't be long.
[00:17:24] He walked over to the nearest chimney and jumped into it.
[00:17:29] Less than two seconds later, he leapt back out, his paws empty.
[00:17:36] Chestnut blinked in surprise and said,
[00:17:40] That was very quick.
[00:17:43] Father Christmas's eyes twinkled in merriment.
[00:17:46] He said,
[00:17:47] I use a lot of Christmas magic at this time of the year.
[00:17:53] And that includes slowing down time so that I get every present delivered.
[00:18:01] Chestnut, there are more gifts to give out on this row of houses.
[00:18:05] Could you reach into the sack again, please?
[00:18:10] Chestnut did so and brought out a triangle-shaped present wrapped in green paper and tied with a blue ribbon.
[00:18:18] It was addressed to Barnaby.
[00:18:21] He was a friend of hers too.
[00:18:24] Thinking about how happy her friends would be when they opened their gifts made Chestnut feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
[00:18:34] She gave the gift to Father Christmas and off he popped again down into another chimney.
[00:18:42] More presents were delivered along the row of houses.
[00:18:47] And then, Father Christmas said it was time to move on.
[00:18:53] They flew around the village and visited cozy cottages, tall detached houses, and a hotel on the hill where several families were staying for the festive season.
[00:19:09] Chestnut continued to hand out presents from the magical sack beneath her seat.
[00:19:14] Her mum kept a close eye on the control panel, just in case she needed to fix it again.
[00:19:24] After a while, Father Christmas flew the sleigh away from the village and over the fields.
[00:19:32] They stopped outside a line of trees and low bushes.
[00:19:38] Father Christmas said,
[00:19:42] Some mice live in the trees here and some live under the bushes.
[00:19:48] There aren't any chimneys but I have other ways to get into their homes.
[00:19:54] Chestnut, Morag, would you like to fly with me up to the tree houses where some dormice live?
[00:20:02] It was an offer.
[00:20:04] It was an offer Chestnut and her mother couldn't refuse.
[00:20:07] They asked if they would fly up to the tree houses in the sleigh.
[00:20:12] With a smile, Father Christmas answered,
[00:20:16] We'll fly there on our own, using Christmas glitter.
[00:20:21] It's magical glitter.
[00:20:24] It's magical glitter.
[00:20:24] And when I sprinkle some on you, you'll be able to fly for the rest of Christmas Eve.
[00:20:33] He made his little paw into a fist, blue on it.
[00:20:38] And when he opened his paw again, it was full of rainbow-coloured glitter.
[00:20:44] A gentle gust of wind caught the glitter and carried it towards Chestnut and her mother.
[00:20:53] It landed on their clothes and fur and settled there, twinkling brightly.
[00:21:01] Chestnut said,
[00:21:03] What do we do now?
[00:21:05] Do we flap our arms like a bird?
[00:21:09] Father Christmas explained,
[00:21:12] No flapping is needed.
[00:21:15] Just think gently about flying and where you want to be.
[00:21:22] Like you do with walking.
[00:21:24] If you look upwards at this tree right next to us,
[00:21:28] you'll see a group of tree houses nestled in the branches.
[00:21:33] Imagine yourself flying up there.
[00:21:40] Chestnut and her mother did that very thing.
[00:21:44] And a few seconds later, they floated off the seat and rose towards the tree houses.
[00:21:55] Chestnut took her mother's hand in hers and smiled at her.
[00:22:00] The mice were having such a magical evening.
[00:22:06] Father Christmas sprinkled some glitter on the red velvet sack,
[00:22:12] and it rose through the air too.
[00:22:16] He flew at the side of the sack and kept a paw on it to stop it from drifting away through the night sky.
[00:22:26] When Chestnut and her mother reached the group of tree houses,
[00:22:31] they floated outside them and waited for Father Christmas.
[00:22:37] He arrived next to them, opened the sack,
[00:22:42] and a present popped out on its own and floated over to him.
[00:22:49] Father Christmas caught the present and flew towards the nearest tree house and disappeared from view.
[00:23:00] Chestnut whispered,
[00:23:02] Where did he go?
[00:23:04] Her mother whispered back,
[00:23:08] He must be using his Christmas magic again.
[00:23:13] A moment later,
[00:23:15] Father Christmas reappeared in front of them,
[00:23:19] his paw now empty.
[00:23:23] The rest of the presents were delivered to the families in the tree houses.
[00:23:28] After that,
[00:23:30] the mice flew back to the ground
[00:23:33] and then gifts were given to those mice who lived in snug homes beneath the bushes.
[00:23:41] Once all the presents had been delivered,
[00:23:45] Chestnut and her mother joined Father Christmas in the sleigh again.
[00:23:52] Are you still okay to help me?
[00:23:55] He asked the mice next to him.
[00:23:58] Chestnut waited for her mother to speak
[00:24:01] and was very relieved when she said,
[00:24:04] We'd love to continue helping you.
[00:24:07] We're having a wonderful time, aren't we, Chestnut?
[00:24:12] Chestnut nodded six times
[00:24:16] and then added another nod to make sure Father Christmas knew she wanted to keep helping him.
[00:24:24] The sleigh flew on through the starry night and over the snowy ground.
[00:24:31] They stopped at a couple of burrows in fields where families of field mice lived.
[00:24:38] The entrance to the burrows was lit up with small lanterns and strings of twinkling fairy lights.
[00:24:47] They stopped at the side of a river
[00:24:50] and Father Christmas delivered presents to mice who lived on the riverbanks
[00:24:57] and to families who lived on the boats that were tied up near a stone bridge.
[00:25:05] Chestnut and her mother had never seen a riverboat home before.
[00:25:11] So Father Christmas used some of his magic on them
[00:25:15] and they all popped inside one of the homes together.
[00:25:21] Chestnut and her mother were amazed at how neat and tidy the home was
[00:25:27] and how cozy too.
[00:25:30] After that, the three mice flew towards the snowcat mountains
[00:25:38] and delivered presents to mountain mice who lived in log cabins and ski lodges.
[00:25:44] They went over a moonlit desert where mice lived in tents of all shapes and sizes.
[00:25:54] Later on, as they flew over a forest,
[00:25:59] Chestnut began to feel a little tired and did her best to cover up her yawn.
[00:26:07] After delivering the presents to the mice in the forest,
[00:26:12] Father Christmas flew the sleigh towards the sea.
[00:26:18] He landed the sleigh on a sandy beach
[00:26:21] and left gifts to mice who lived in huts made out of straw.
[00:26:28] They stopped at some fancy hotels along the beach for more deliveries
[00:26:35] and then at a lighthouse which was perched on a cliff.
[00:26:41] Just like the riverboat home,
[00:26:44] Chestnut and her mother had never been inside a lighthouse before.
[00:26:49] So Father Christmas used his magic again
[00:26:53] and inside the lighthouse the curious mice went.
[00:26:59] They decided it was a beautiful place to live
[00:27:02] and the view of the sea was a very soothing one.
[00:27:08] The relaxing sound of the waves
[00:27:12] washing upon the rocks below them
[00:27:15] made Chestnut yawn again.
[00:27:18] They left the lighthouse behind
[00:27:21] and Father Christmas guided the sleigh over the dark sea
[00:27:27] and towards a cruise ship that was covered in twinkling lights.
[00:27:33] The reflected lights danced around the waves
[00:27:37] and surrounded the ship in a glowing halo of rainbow lights.
[00:27:44] Chestnut had never heard about a cruise ship before,
[00:27:48] let alone seen one.
[00:27:51] She was amazed when she saw the huge swimming pool
[00:27:55] in the middle of the deck
[00:27:57] and the winding slide that led into it.
[00:28:02] Father Christmas expertly landed the sleigh on the deck
[00:28:07] and using his magic again
[00:28:10] he made presents fly out of the sack
[00:28:14] and towards the various rooms where sleeping mice lay.
[00:28:21] Thinking about the sleeping mice
[00:28:24] made Chestnut yawn three times in a row.
[00:28:29] Her mother noticed and chuckled lightly.
[00:28:33] She told Father Christmas
[00:28:35] it was time they headed home.
[00:28:40] Perfect timing, he said
[00:28:43] because this was my very last visit of the night.
[00:28:49] Morag, would you like to take the reins of the sleigh
[00:28:53] and fly us home?
[00:28:54] The reindeer know which way to go.
[00:28:59] The reindeer know which way to go.
[00:29:00] Chestnut's mother was too delighted to speak
[00:29:03] and could only nod in reply.
[00:29:07] The three mice got back into the sleigh
[00:29:10] and Morag took the reins in her paws.
[00:29:14] The huge smile on her mother's face
[00:29:18] made Chestnut feel all warm and fuzzy inside again.
[00:29:25] Morag softly called out the names of the reindeer.
[00:29:31] The sleigh rose smoothly from the ship
[00:29:35] and headed back towards the mice's home.
[00:29:40] Over the dark sea
[00:29:43] and the sandy beach they flew.
[00:29:46] Over the forest and the moonlit desert
[00:29:52] and the snow-capped mountains
[00:29:54] and the riverboat homes.
[00:29:57] Across fields and bushes
[00:30:00] and towards the familiar sight of their village.
[00:30:07] Morag landed the sleigh outside their cosy home.
[00:30:13] She made a final check of the controls
[00:30:17] and said everything was still in working order.
[00:30:23] Chestnut was so tired
[00:30:26] that she could barely keep her eyes open.
[00:30:30] Her mother helped her off the sleigh
[00:30:34] and carried the little mouse in her arms.
[00:30:38] They thanked Father Christmas
[00:30:41] for taking them on a magical adventure.
[00:30:45] He thanked them for helping him
[00:30:48] and said that having them at his side
[00:30:51] had made it a very magical Christmas Eve indeed.
[00:30:57] The reindeer smiled at Morag and Chestnut
[00:31:03] and nodded goodbye.
[00:31:06] The sleigh rose from the snowy ground
[00:31:10] and began to fly away.
[00:31:13] Father Christmas gave them a final wave goodbye.
[00:31:22] Morag took Chestnut into their home.
[00:31:25] There were a couple of presents under the tree for them
[00:31:29] that hadn't been there before.
[00:31:32] Each present was wrapped in their favourite colours.
[00:31:38] Chestnut said tiredly,
[00:31:43] How did those get there?
[00:31:46] I never saw Father Christmas coming into our house.
[00:31:53] The mother said,
[00:31:56] He must have used his magic again.
[00:32:00] How kind of him to leave presents for us.
[00:32:05] Come on, Chestnut.
[00:32:08] It's time for your sleep.
[00:32:10] I'm certainly ready for my sleep.
[00:32:15] Chestnut laid her head against her mother's shoulder
[00:32:19] and closed her eyes.
[00:32:21] Her mother used the last of her Christmas Eve glitter
[00:32:27] to gently fly up the stairs and into Chestnut's bedroom.
[00:32:35] With Chestnut still in her arms,
[00:32:38] she walked over to the window
[00:32:41] and looked out at the starry sky.
[00:32:44] In the distance,
[00:32:47] she saw Father Christmas flying through the night.
[00:32:53] His words of goodbye carried on the wind to her
[00:32:59] and across the snowy land.
[00:33:03] Happy Christmas to all.
[00:33:07] And to all,
[00:33:10] good night.

