Olive, the Orphan Reindeer

Olive, a young doe reindeer, is separated from the rest of her family when they all scatter to get away from hungry wolves out in the Barrens. Lost, Olive encounters Santa and Mrs. Claus, and is invited to stay with them as long as she wants. Olive makes herself useful around Santa’s Kingdom, but eventually, she yearns to be a member of Santa’s sleigh team. As she is trying to pluck up the courage to ask, Santa receives bad news from his advisers. Huddled at Mission Control, his chief elf and his computer expert advise him that he does not have enough reindeer power to make his annual global trip. In addition, demand is up, and the numbers don’t look good. At the same time, the relief reindeer are on a sickout to protest inadequate living conditions. Ultimately, Mrs. Claus uses her personality and negotiating skill to cause the relief reindeer to settle, and she forms her own sleigh team to ride alongside Santa. Christmas is saved, and Olive’s ambition is realized.

Michael Christie has a B. Ed. (Elem.) degree from the University of British Columbia and was an elementary school teacher for 29 years. He has also taught creative writing classes to adults. He has published a variety of short stories, as well as a sequel and a television script for Olive. Michael lives in Coquitlam, British Columbia.