Blacky the Bear was walking back home from the market carrying a large bag stuffed with many toys. He huffed and puffed as he carried the bag up a small slope towards his house.

By the time Blacky reached home, he was tired. He put the bag of toys down and surveyed his purchase. “Tomorrow is Christmas! How am I going to finish gift-wrapping all of them by midnight?” he wondered.

Blacky had been chosen to be Champakvan’s Santa Claus this year. It was his responsibility to buy the gifts and deliver them to everyone at Champakvan on Christmas day.

“Blacky! Blacky!” Baddy the Fox called out from the door.

“Come in, Baddy. What’s the matter?” asked Blacky surprised.

“I heard that you were buying gifts for everyone today, so I wanted to let you know that I want a pair of headphones for Christmas this year,” said Baddy.

“I’ve already finished my purchases, Baddy. Besides, as Santa Claus, it is up to me to decide who gets what gift!” said Blacky.

Baddy became angry. “All right!” he muttered and left.

“I must teach Blacky a lesson. Just because he is Santa Claus this year doesn’t mean he decides what I should get!” Baddy said to himself.

Meanwhile, Blacky began to consider Baddy’s request. “Perhaps I should gift him the headphones if he so badly wants them. I could run to the store now before it closes and gift-wrap the presents after I come back,” he thought and left for the market immediately.

Since it was quite dark by the time Blacky rushed out of his house, he failed to notice the banana peels on the path. He slipped on them and fell down. 

“Ow!” Blacky screamed in pain. 

“What happened, Blacky?” Baddy asked, running towards him.

“Someone has thrown banana peels on the path! I slipped and fell down,” said Blacky, writhing in pain.

Baddy was unable to contain his laughter. “But why did you come out of the house in the dark?”

“I felt bad that you wanted a pair of headphones but I didn’t have one to gift you. So, I was going out to buy them,” said Blacky.

Baddy was taken aback. “What a fool I have been! Blacky actually wanted to make me happy, while all I thought about was taking revenge on him!” thought Baddy feeling bad about his behaviour. 

“I’m so sorry, Blacky. It was me who threw the banana peels as you had refused to buy me the headphones,” said Baddy, regretfully. 

“That’s all right, Baddy. Will you please help me get back home?” said Blacky. 

Baddy helped Blacky walk back to his house and then called the doctor.

“There seems to be a minor fracture in your right leg,” said Jumbo the Elephant checking Blacky’s leg. “You must take complete rest and not walk for the next three weeks till the fracture heals.”

“But I am this year’s Santa! How will I distribute the gifts?” asked Blacky worried.

“I would advise you against doing that. You may risk making your fracture worse,” said Jumbo.

Baddy felt bad for Blacky’s problem. 

“Don’t worry, Baddy. It was because of me that you landed in this situation. I will take your place this year and deliver all the gifts,” said Baddy. He immediately started packing the gifts one by one. It was an hour before midnight by the time he was done wrapping the gifts. Baddy then made some dinner for Blacky and him, and they sat down to eat. 

At midnight, Baddy dressed up as Santa and set out to deliver the gifts to all the animals.

Everyone at Champakvan was eagerly waiting for Santa to knock on their door and handover their gift.

“Hey, who are you? Where’s Blacky?” asked a surprised Jumpy the Monkey upon seeing the new Santa Claus.

“Blacky was unable to make it, so he sent me instead,” said Baddy, quickly handing over the gift and rushing out. He did not want the others to pry and learn what really happened. 

A couple of hours later, when Baddy was done distributing the gifts to everyone at Champakvan, he returned home tired and sad.

“Everyone is celebrating Christmas with their friends and having a good time, except me because of my stupidity,” Baddy thought to himself.

Suddenly, his doorbell rang. Baddy opened the door wondering who it could be at this time in the night. 

“Merry Christmas, Baddy!” 

There was Teetu the Butterfly, Damru the Donkey, Cheeku the Rabbit, Meeku the Mouse, Jumpy and Jumbo standing by the door, smiling brightly at him. 

Baddy was taken by surprise. “Wha..what…what are you all doing here?”

“We all know what happened today and why you came dressed as Santa Claus instead of Blacky. He told us everything!” said Jumpy. 

Baddy turned pink with embarrassment. “Oh no! Now all of them know what I did to Blacky,” he thought, looking down uneasily.

Cheeku put his hand over Baddy’s shoulder and said, “Don’t feel embarrassed, Baddy. You accepted your mistake and did the right thing by helping Blacky out.” 

“Yes. You stepped in for him and became Santa Claus. You did a lot of work wrapping up the gifts and delivering them to everyone on time. So, we too have brought a gift for you,” said Titu.

Damru handed Baddy a gift-wrapped box. They were a pair of headphones! Baddy’s happiness knew no bounds. 

“Thank you, friends. This is the best Christmas ever!” said Baddy joyfully. 

They all went to Blacky’s house and celebrated Christmas together, singing songs and eating cake all night long.