LaureatesKids

Louie, The Christmas Slug

Louie, the Christmas slug,
said, “I want to lead the sleigh.
I want to be like Rudolph,
be a hero, save the day.”
But Santa said, “Slugs can’t lead.
You’d just be in the way.
Stick to what you do the best
and forget about the sleigh.”

Louie, the Christmas slug,
didn’t like that answer much.
He thought he knew a better way,
thought Santa’d lost his touch.
He thought, I’ve got a plan.
I’ll make young Rudolph sick
then take his place on Christmas Eve
when the fog is really thick.

Just how he did it no one knew
but Rudolph caught the flu.
He almost sneezed his whole head off.
And his tiny antlers too!
And then, well Louie did it.
His set his nose on glow
and Santa said, “I have no choice,
come on, Louie, go!”

Louie, he was feeling proud
as he climbed on Blitzen’s back.
He said, “I’ll do a good job, Guys,
light our path ‘til we get back.”
But what young Louie didn’t know
was it wasn’t Christmas Eve
and he would soon be back at home
wishing he had not deceived.

Louie, the Christmas slug,
sits alone there in his room
for a glow worm he can never be;
not tomorrow, never soon.
For Santa, he’d learned of his plan
then crossed him off the list,
put coal in Louie’s stocking,
and shook his mighty fist

saying, “Ho ho ho, you ought to know
not to pull a trick like that.
I know when you’ve been naughty.
I can always smell a rat.
But just in case you think I’m mad
here’s my answer, Ho ho ho,
it may not be you get to lead
but you still get to go.”

And Louie says,
“Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.”