The Wonderful World of Rudolpha: Mrs. Claus’ secret

Mrs. Claus arrives at the North Pole Animal Day Care holding something covered in a piece of cloth.

“Good morning, Mrs. Claus,” say the children and their teacher, Rudolpha the reindeer.

“Good morning, children,” says Mrs. Claus. “I’ve come to show you something I’ve been working on for many years. I’m finally ready to reveal my best kept secret.

“You see, when I was a girl, I found a collection of books about flowers and plants that belonged to my great-great-grandmother. I read them in secret and imagined having my own greenhouse where I could grow the most beautiful plants in the world. I dreamed about becoming a horticulturist.

“Of course, when I was a little older, I met Santa and decided to devote myself to helping him with his important job. Even so, I never forgot about my childhood dream.

“Many years ago, I discovered an old building behind the toy workshop that had lots of windows. I converted it into a greenhouse and I spent my spare time there experimenting. I made hybrids from clippings of plants that Taiga the elf brought me back from other people’s homes. I wanted to create the perfect Christmas flower before telling my husband my secret.”

“Did you do it? Did you make a Christmas flower?” interrupts Mistral the penguin.

“I did,” says Mrs. Claus. She removes the cloth she’s holding with a flourish. “Here’s the Polus Nordius, the North Pole flower.”

The children gather closer to look at the plant. It has sparkling stems that droop toward the floor like a Christmas cactus and large red leaves that resemble those of a poinsettia. The plant’s crowning glory is its white and green flowers that look like holly berries wearing elf hats.

“It smells like cinnamon,” says Snowflake the polar bear.

“It does, but it doesn’t taste very good,” warns Mrs. Claus. “But you can give it a gentle shake and see what happens.”

Snowflake shakes the plant and the children gasp.

“It sounds like jingle bells ringing,” exclaims Storm the fox.

“Can we keep it?” asks Frost the snowy owl.

“Yes, this one is for the day care. I have others in my greenhouse along with plants from all over the world. I’m going to open it to the public next week. Would you all like to come visit?”

The children look at Rudolpha hopefully. “I’ll plan a field trip,” agrees the teacher.

“Wonderful, I’ll see you all soon then,” says Mrs. Claus.

Afterwards, Mrs. Claus heads home with a joyful heart. She thinks about the improvements she’ll make to her greenhouse now that it isn’t a secret, and about what Santa will think when he sees her creation in their living room.

Written by Johannie Dufour and Sarah Beauregard
Translated by Cyan Caruso-Comas