Transcript for Parent Storytellers
In the magical town of Twinkleville lived a special boy named Oni Pepperoni who was very good at solving problems.
Three days before Christmas, Oni discovered a giant candy-striped bubble gum machine in the town square. It was taller than any grown-up, with a golden crank and hundreds of colorful gumballs inside. A sign read: “One turn for a special Christmas wish!”
As Oni admired the machine, he heard a strange noise from above. Looking up, he saw Santa Claus flying overhead in his sleigh!
“Ho ho… whoa!” Santa called as his sleigh wobbled in the sky.
Suddenly, Santa tumbled out, spinning through the air!
THUMP! Santa landed right on top of the giant bubble gum machine!
The force of Santa’s fall made the golden crank spin wildly. Gumballs shot out in every direction, and a giant blob of sticky gum erupted from the machine.
“Ho ho… oh dear,” said Santa, trying to stand up. But when he put his hand down, it stuck firmly to the machine. “I seem to be in a sticky situation!”
The gum had caught Santa’s mittens, boots, and even part of his beard!
“Help!” called Santa. “I’m stuck, and I have so many presents to deliver!”
Oni knew he had to help. “Don’t worry, Santa! I’ll get you unstuck!”
Oni tried pulling on Santa’s boot, but the gum was too strong. He tried using a stick, but it got stuck too. He even tried tickling the machine, but that didn’t work either.
Then Oni remembered something important – bubble gum gets less sticky when it’s cold!
“I have an idea, Santa! We need something cold!”
Santa’s eyes twinkled. “Well, I happen to know about cold things.” He reached into his pocket with his one free hand and pulled out a small snow globe. “This is special North Pole snow. It never melts!” Oni shook the snow globe, and magical snowflakes fell around the machine. Wherever they touched the gum, it hardened and became less sticky.
“It’s working!” Santa cheered. With a wiggle and a twist, he pulled free his mittens, then his boots, and finally his beard.
“Ho ho ho! Thank you, Oni Pepperoni! You’ve saved Christmas with your clever thinking!”
But the bubble gum machine was now covered in frozen gum and looked very sad.
“We can’t leave it like this,” Oni said. “This machine is supposed to give everyone a Christmas wish.”
Oni turned the golden crank one more time. Instead of gumballs, warm twinkling lights sprinkled down, melting away the frozen gum and making the machine shine like new.
“Wonderful problem-solving!” Santa said. “You’ve earned a wish of your own.”
Oni thought carefully, then whispered his wish to Santa.
Santa’s eyes grew wide. “Instead of keeping it for yourself, you’ve wished for every child to receive an extra special surprise!”
Santa climbed back into his sleigh. “For helping me and for your generous wish, I’m making you an honorary Christmas helper!” He gave Oni a small candy cane pin to wear on his jacket.
“Merry Christmas, Oni Pepperoni!” Santa called as his sleigh rose into the air. “Remember, the best problem solvers think with both their heads and their hearts!”
On Christmas morning, children all around the world found an extra special surprise in their stockings – a small candy-striped bubble gum ball that granted one tiny wish.
And the giant bubble gum machine remained in Twinkleville Square throughout the Christmas season, giving everyone who turned its crank a special moment of Christmas magic.