The Midnight Whispers of the Christmas Cookie Thief by Ritisha

Original narrative based on “Merry Christmas, Grandma” by Norman Rockwell

It was a winter wonderland as they approached their grandmother’s house, decked with striking decorations.

“Well, kids! Are you excited for Christmas at your grandmother’s?” asked father as he unloaded all the gifts and luggage. “Yup!” replied the kids as they indulged their imaginary dreamy cookie wonderland– until reality snapped them back to life. As they were jetting toward the house with the smell of cookies wafting toward them, little Ashley excitedly ran up the steps and rang the doorbell. “DING DONG!” went the bell. “Oh, Bruno, Amber, Ashley! My favorite little babies are here to celebrate Christmas with me and have a lot of fun! Right?!” revealed Grandma. “Merry Christmas!” yelled Mom and Dad joyfully.

While the kids settled in, they took a glance at their dazzling Grandma. It appeared as if she was in a baking show. Flour and sugar covered her apron. She smelled like pumpkin and fudge cookies. All the kids were thinking the same thing. COOKIES!!!!!!! “Grandma? Can we each have one cookie, please?’’ begged the oldest boy, Bruno with puppy dog eyes. Grandma gazed at them for a moment, deciding if she should give in or just wait till Christmas morning.

“Hmmm…Why don’t you instead help me bathe and dress Lucy?” suggested Grandma. All three kids exchanged a stare. Should we accept or decline? “Alright, we accept that we shall do the impossible today!” declared Amber heavily as she sighed thinking what could happen. At the top of the stairs stood the little mischievous Lucy waiting for her treatment. Hours passed as all three children worked hard lathering up Lucy. The results were worth it. Lucy seemed amazingly clean as if she were getting ready for a dog competition. “My, my! I have never seen dear Lucy this clean! She’s as radiant as my Christmas trees!” complimented Grandma delightfully.

“Well now I believe it is time for a delicious dinner, prepared by your very own father!” conveyed Mother as Father was brewing some sort of mess that he called “dinner” in his language. “EWW” the siblings muttered under their breath, meaning well not to upset their father, but the thought of him cooking dinner almost guaranteed it was going to be a very odious meal–like chocolates mixed in some sort of weird vegetable.

While the siblings took their place at the table, they waited with anticipation for what creation Father would serve to their stomachs. Finally, the cooked chicken was placed on the table with all the other side dishes. Whispering, their Mother told them a little secret. “You know your father doesn’t have very refined cooking skills. I made it all,” their mother confessed with a smile. All three siblings released the breath they had been holding for quite a long time. Spoonfuls of relief filled their bodies as they ate in peace, processing what their mother had just uncovered. Grandma and Father taunted them, their faces white as a ghost. After dinner the youngest child, Ashley, asked one more time, hoping for a different answer this time. “Grandma, can we please with sugar on the top, have a cookie?!” pleaded Ashley with her Bambi-like eyes.

Grandma responded, “Not until morning, my dear. Now head off to bed you three. You all had a quite busy day.’’ Disappointed once again, the siblings trudged up the stairs to the guest room to sleep. As their heads hit the pillow, they could only think of ONE thing. CHRISTMAS = COOKIES!!

Finally, it was the morning of Christmas Eve. Bounding down the stairs with excitement, the children perceived the disappointment on the faces of Grandma, Mother and Father all looking at the empty plate of cookies that were supposed to be eaten by the children. While everyone was still sulking, Amber was determined to solve the cookie mystery.

“What are you doing now?’ asked Ashley, who was sobbing hysterically. “I am going to investigate what happened to Grandma’s cookies,” Amber proudly declared. Once Amber detected green fur on the cookie plate and noticed a trail of crumbs instantly, she perceived who had committed the cookie crime.

In a jaunty way she ran back to their sleeping quarters and began creating a little trap for their cookie thief. When she finished her trap Amber thought of an excellent idea. “GRANDMA!!” she called out as she raced down the stairs panting. “Grandma, can you make those cookies again? All three of us will help.” Amber caught sight of her siblings’ eyes glowing with eagerness. “Well … Alright come on then we have a lot to bake.”

Gradually, as they worked, the aroma of pumpkin and fudge mixed together. Whilst the cookies were baking in the oven, Mom and Dad stepped into the kitchen. “WOW! That is one amazing batch of cookies cooking today. Can Daddy have a bite?” their Father asked cunningly. “No! NOT EVEN A CRUMB!” shouted all three siblings at once, their faces steaming red. “Not even a crumb because I am trying to capture the cookie thief,” Amber notified calmly.

Evening arrived and the family had a marvelous dinner. Subsequently, nightfall came again. As everyone headed off to bed, Amber snuck into the kitchen, took out the cookies from the fridge, placed them onto the table, then went behind a wall. Five minutes later, the Grinch tiptoed sneakily into the kitchen and stepped into the trap before he could even touch one cookie!

Seeing her accomplishment, Amber smiled and turned. “EVERYONE COME DOWNSTAIRS QUICKLY!” Amber shouted at the top of her lungs. Everyone gasped as they identified the Grinch. “My, my! Someone’s been a bad Grinch!” snarled Grandma as she began whacking the Grinch with a spatula.

“Good job, Amber!” the entire family complimented as they enjoyed munching their cookies. The next morning, as the family drove away, they recalled all the Christmas memories made at their Grandmother’s home. 

But there was one thing that stood out to them all. The cookie stealing thief–THE GRINCH!