Matt

=Matt =

The next day, Matt and eight of his football buddies showed up, suited for practice, they picked up the Traveling Elf, Fred, and Bonnie and headed for football practice. When the Traveling Elf saw them in their jerseys, he became disappointed because he did not have a football suit to wear too. Matt told the elf to cheer up and then handed him a bag. The Traveling Elf’s nose started twitching, and his feet began dancing when he peeked inside the bag and saw the brand new football outfit glaring back at him. Matt helped the Traveling Elf get in the backseat of the car and in a flash, like lightning, the elf had changed into his new football suit and gear. Matt and his buddies high fived their new team member, and in unison they said “today we are winners, and we have the power of ten reindeer.”

In the first practice game, the Traveling Elf’s starting position was as a running back. He was the fastest running back anyone had ever seen; no one could catch him. Because of his size, he was able to run right through the opposing teams’ legs, and straight downfield to score his first touchdown. The team decided to test his ability as a defensive back. Again, because of his agility and speed, the quarterback found it impossible to throw to his receivers. During the opposing team’s first play, the quarterback threw the foot ball to a wide-receiver who had become open. The receiver fumbled the ball, and before he had an opportunity to recover it, the Traveling Elf, already low to the ground, scooped down, pick up the ball, and downfield he ran. He scored another touchdown!

To celebrate the Traveling Elf’s fantastic performance during football practice, the team threw a Valentine’s Day party for him. They made elf-shaped cheese sticks, Rice Krispie Treats, and more. Someone brought a bowl of heart-shaped Valentine’s candy  wrapped in shiny red paper. When the Traveling Elf saw the bowl of red hearts, he remembered Santa Claus and his reindeer, especially Rudolph. The Traveling Elf thought about the magic powers they possessed and how they used their powers to fly. Maybe if, I eat some of those candies wrapped in the red shiny paper, then I will possess the power to fly like Rudolph. The elf tilted the bowl towards his mouth, and within seconds Matt witnessed the last shiny red-covered candy rolling down the side of the bowl; it disappeared. The Traveling Elf had eaten all of the candy. He turned and ran up the stairs and climbed out of the window. With Matt and the gang screaming behind him not to jump, the Traveling Elf turned towards them, said good-bye and away he went. He did not fly far before he started towards the ground. “Oh no,” shouted the team behind him. “He’s not going to make it”, cried Matt. The Traveling Elf was rapidly falling towards the ground. As good fortune would have it, the Traveling Elf landed right in the center on top of Matt’s trampoline. Because there was such a powerful force, he bounced high and soared through the air. He did not fly very far before gravity began pulling him to the ground. Down, down, and down he went! To his amazement, he landed right back where he started, at Kellam High School.

