14-Dec-2018
Sleigh Ride: Frosty Vs. the Grinch
Frosty’s eyes followed the path he would take down the Hill. He mapped where he knew rocks lurked under the surface of snow, as well as the unexpected turn that had taken him out last year.
“You’re wasting your time,” the Grinch said.
Frosty didn’t bother to look at the grouchy, green monster. Instead he turned to Max, the dog, who sat on the front of the sled, tongue out as he waited for the fun to begin. Frosty fished in the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a piece of dried meat. He tossed it to Max, who caught it and chewed happily.
“Bribing him to come rescue you again after you wipe out?” the Grinch asked.
“Just trying to put some meat on his bones,” Frosty said. “It looks like you starve him. I thought you’d had a change of heart.”
The Nutcracker Prince—who waited on the other side of Frosty—snorted.
Beyond him a sleigh full of Christmas Elves waited. In typical elf fashion they all wore matching red and white scarves with green hats and sipped hot coco out of to-go cups. On the other side of the Grinch the Little Drummer Boy sat beside his sled, absently tapping on it with drumsticks.
“That guy is strange,” the Nutcracker Prince muttered to Frosty. “It’s like he walks to a tune we can’t hear.”
“I dare you to ask him about it,” Frosty said.
The Prince shook his head. “No way.”
On the far side of the Drummer Boy, Santa and Rudolph stood by a shiny red sleigh with shimmering silver runners and white flames painted on the side.
Movement from the bottom of the Hill drew Frosty’s attention. Cindy Lou Who, who was now way more than two, sashayed to the finish line. How she stayed warm in the little gold dress she wore was a mystery to them all. She cleared her throat, and her voice magically projected over the contestants along with the crowd that lined the raceway.
“Ladies and gentlemen. Beasts and beauties. Today is the annual Sleigh Ride!” Cindy threw her hands up and the crowd went wild. The Drummer Boy beat louder and the Prince clapped his jaw closed a few times.
“Our reigning champion, the Grinch, is here to defend his three-year running title!”
Another roar went up from the crowd, and Frosty spotted an abundance of little green faces throughout.
“You all know the opponents.” Cindy pointed. “Now we have a few rules to go over.” She reached into her gown and pulled out an impossibly large candy cane, which she used to point at the racers.
“Only start when I drop the candy cane. If your sled goes over the line before then, you’re disqualified.”
The Prince muttered something under his breath.
Cindy continued. “No hitting other drivers.” She glared at the elves. “And no flying.” She pointed the cane at Santa, who put his hands up as if to say he had no idea what she was talking about.
“Your entire team has to get across the line.” Cindy looked at the Grinch, who had almost left Max behind once. “The first one wins. Now take your marks!”
Frosty climbed onto his sled—a blue platform with a simple rope leading from his hands to adjustable runners underneath. Sides rose, making the sleigh more aerodynamic. He hunkered down and waited.
“I still say you’re cheating,” the Grinch grumbled.
“We can use our powers until the sleigh goes across the line,” Frosty said. “Nothing against the rules going on here.” He eyed the back of the Grinch’s sleigh. “Unlike your rocket engines.”
“Not rocket engines. Just some extra air help.”
Frosty rolled his eyes, pulled his hat tight over his head and then froze it in place.
Cindy Lou Who moved to the middle of the finish line and raised the cane above her head. “Get set.”
Frosty started the blizzard behind him.
“Go!” She dropped the candy cane.
The mini storm hit Frosty hard, launching him into the lead as they all started down the hill. He got lower and turned to miss the first dip.
The elves caught up first. They passed him as if he were standing still, and as one they saluted him with their to-go cups.
Then they hit the first dip. The front of their sleigh went down, they went up and suddenly there were elves all over the path ahead.
Frosty dodged them, but heard the Prince cursing as he had to go through the mess.
The Grinch and Santa came up fast. Santa gave Frosty a thumbs up, right before Rudolph drove them into the next dip. The reindeer tugged the sleigh off course.
“Watch your step!” the Grinch said.
The Drummer Boy managed to avoid hitting Santa, but took too much time with the maneuver and fell behind.
That left Frosty and the Grinch.
Max howled in delight from his spot at the front of the sleigh.
Frosty smiled, but it faded when the Grinch grinned at him, and then rocketed ahead. The crowd roared.
“Cheater,” Frosty muttered. He sighed and wove between some rocks. He was not going to let that guy win. Again. Frosty’s driving brought him back up behind the Grinch, but there was no way to get ahead of him.
Almost no way.
Right before they got to the finish line, Frosty took off his head and threw it as hard as he could.
Cindy’s eyes went wide as the brim of Frosty’s hat crossed the finish line just before the Grinch’s sleigh.
“He cheated!” the Grinch yelled.
Frosty’s head rolled to a stop. A moment later Max appeared. He gave Frosty a single lick.
Cindy’s voice rose above the din. “Just hold on, we’ll figure it out!”
