Before I begin the story, I would like to say a few words about the meaning of Christmas. Now, Christmas is a special time of year where-

Would you get on with the story already?!

Wait, I’m teaching the kids an important lesson. Stop hitting me!!

Not until you start the story!

If you don’t let go in the next ten seconds, I will beat you with a huge salami stick!

Are you sure that is the meaning of Christmas?

It’s the meaning of- get off of me!

Fine! Have it the boring way! *psst!* Don’t listen to a word he says. He will put you to sleep faster than you can say- Ow! I don’t even like salami! Ow! Quit it!

A few more beats later…

Sorry everyone. The meanie is gone now. And I get to have a free lunch. Doesn’t everyone love happy endings? Now, as I was saying, it’s not just about the presents. It’s about-

Get to it faster!

How did you-

NOW!

Sigh. Christmasisaboutthejoyofgivingandfriendship

Now that wasn’t so hard was it? Okay, I hope you all enjoy the story. Let’s hope you brought popcorn because this is going to be looooong. Well, I don’t know. This intro is. Where am I?

Alright, no more distractions. Here’s my story as a Christmas gift to my readers! Have fun reading! Salami.

A long time ago, but years after Balto, Jenna, and Steele died (their kids are living, but very far away from Nome). There was a mail dog team, with Crust as their lead dog. He wasn’t the cleanest or wealthiest dog in town. In fact, he was just like Balto before he was a hero, only with a poor family that lives in an ally. He joined the mail team because he was pretty fast even though he had no experience. And he needed to feed his family. He knew the musher always gives the dogs food after a day of hard work, so he wanted to take some to feed him and the kids. And today was a special day because he would get a bonus, for it being Christmas Eve. But there was one problem: Scrooger. He was near the middle of the team group and much older than Crust. He wasn’t jealous of him, and he didn’t care about him. He seemed to get the most food because he was from a rich family, of humans. And they were always so spoiled. To him, the only important thing is food- which is like money for people. Even though he had more than enough, he still wants it! He loves it! It’s the only thing that makes him happy. Usually, he steals it! But the only thing that makes him the grumpiest of all. I’m talking mean to the bone! Meanie Bobeeni Slovini!! That thing my friends, is Christmas. He hates how you have to give things to get what you want. He hates the creepy happy smiles on Christmas day. He hates- everything! And he takes it out on other people! Especially Crust. At the end of the final run before Christmas, the musher gave everyone their rewards, a little bigger than usual. Crust caught his in his mouth, and then started to take off when someone landed on him to make him drop the meat. It was Scrooger. Scrooger took half of it and then ran back to his place. “Sorry, it’s just business.”

“But it’s Christmas Scrooger! It’s a time of giving! Can you please make an exception?!”

“Christmas? Humbark!!” and he was gone. Crust deserved that meat more than he did. He wondered how Barkley survived. Oh wait! He didn’t. Before Crust came, there was another lead dog called Barkley. He worked with that team practically his whole life, until he died 7 months ago. No one knows how exactly he died, but Crust thought it was because Barkley couldn’t stand Scrooger anymore, so he killed himself. So Crust was the replacement. Crust went back home. At least he had more meat than usual when Scrooger steals it. Thank you for Christmas, he said in his mind.

Scrooger went to his house which is like a mansion in 1932. He put is food in a special bag in a safe outside. (No one could steal it because it was bolted down) and went inside to see that his masters were very much asleep. He looked at the blazing fireplace. It was very bright, but he looked at it differently than normal. He thought he saw a face in that fire, but he didn’t believe it. Scrooger realized he was very tired as well. He went upstairs to his room, put his nightcap on and lay down on his special bed. It’s like a human bed, but smaller to fit his size. Soon, he was in a peaceful sleep, dreaming of food, everywhere! He started to lick his lips in his sleep. But the sound of licking could not match the sound of clanking metal!  He woke up immediately and looked at the door. The metal sound kept getting louder and louder. Scrooger got up and backed away to the wall, scared half to death. Finally a blue figure flew through the wall and landed in the middle of the room staring at him. The figure’s legs were weighed down with ankle weights, chains, and heavy metal boxes. He looked tired and scary at the same time. “W-who are you?” Scrooger asked.

“Don’t you know me?” Scrooger shook his head.

“I am the ghost of Barkley, remember? I was the lead dog until 7 months ago when I died.”

“Barkley? You look different when you’re blue and almost transparent. And why are you in chains? Please tell me.”

“I am a prisoner, Scrooger. When I died, ghosts put chains on me. I don’t know why, but I know I have done something terribly wrong to let this happen. Being bound with chains for the rest of eternity, always being pulled back and have to struggle and strain to get somewhere. It is a cruel life. What you’re looking at, Scrooger, is your future.”

“What?! That’s impossible! What have I done wrong?”

“You’re going to have to figure that out on your own.”

“Barkley, please don’t let this happen to me! We were real pals remember? Great buddies!”

“I’m sorry, but this is your fate. And it’s all your fault.”

“No! Please! I’ll do anything! ANYTHING!”

“Well, there is one way”-

“TELL ME!”

“Okay! Sheesh! If you choose to accept this, you will be visited by three more ghosts. The first ghost you will meet, when the bell strikes 1:00.”

“Can’t the ghosts just come all at once and get it over with, Barkley?”

“No. This is the way it’s going to be, whether you like it or not. Or you can end up like me and those other ghosts outside the window. Look.”

Barkley led him to the window and pulled out the curtains. Scrooger gasped in surprise. There were hundreds of ghosts with chains just like Barkley floating around and moaning loudly. And they look like they haven’t slept in weeks! Which they haven’t.

“Okay, I’ll take the three ghosts.” Scrooger said in defeat. “The ghosts are nice right?”

“The first ghost, when the bell strikes 1:00.” Was all he said again. Then he disappeared were he stood. A flash of thunder filled the sky and then it fell silent.

Scrooger rubbed his eyes and looked again. He was gone, alright, but was he really there? He decided not to think about it.

Maybe it was all just a dream, I’ll wake up soon. He thought. Scrooger went back to his bed and fell asleep again. Just a second later, something was rigging. Not like a phone, but like a huge bell that rigs softly. “ding…ding…” It was his clock. Scrooger woke up again, very annoyed, and looked at the clock. 1:00 was what it said.

“What! I went back to bed at least 11:30. It must be the wiring. I’ll tell my masters in the morning.” At that moment his room was glowing with a yellow light, including himself. He turned around but closed his eyes tightly because of the blinding light. When the light dimmed down a bit, he saw a figure in the corner of the room. “Now what?!” He said.

“I am the ghost of Christmas past.” The figure said. The light finally went out completely. He could totally see who was present before him.

“Oh, you’re just that old wolf-dog Balto. The great hero!” He said sarcastically.

“Well, ever since I died, I became the ghost of YOUR Christmas past! It’s weird isn’t it?”

“I must be dreaming. Now go away so I can wake up!” Scrooger ran back in his bed and pulled the sheets over him.

“Oh Scrooger,” Balto pulled him out of bed. “This is no dream. I received a message