The night before Christmas!

It was the night before Christmas and all around Rooibosch Hill, little critters were sound asleep in their beds, dreaming of the wonderful gifts that would be waiting for them under the Christmas tree.

But in the Tuxedo household things were not as calm as they seemed, for the smallest members of the Tuxedo family, triplets Angelica, Midnight and Pepperment, lay awake in their beds listening for the faintest sounds from the living room.

Angelica and Pepperment had all but given up on their quest, but Midnight was determined to see their plan through and suddenly he was startled from his near slumber by a sound from downstairs. Midnight jumped from his bed and dragged the covers from his two sisters while hushing them at the same time.

The three didn't make a sound as they crept down the stairs and into the living room. As they came closer, the triplets could see the jug of milk and the Christmas pudding that their mother had left out, still sitting on the coffee table. In the fireplace the flames had burnt out a long time ago, leaving only embers smouldering in their wake. 

The triplets felt the heavy weight of disappointment set in. Maybe Midnight had imagined the sound that made him jump out of his bed so quickly. But, just as Angelica opened her mouth to tell her brother exactly what she thought of losing so much sleep on their doomed quest, something amazing happened!

A jolly looking bunny with a big beard, wearing a red suit stood in front of the tree! He had a big bag, overflowing with beautifully wrapped boxes and started placing gifts under their Christmas tree as he softly hummed a jolly Christmas carol to himself.

The Tuxedo triplets couldn't believe their eyes, and watched in awe as the jolly old man stacked more gifts under the tree, then turned his attention to the Christmas cake and milk on the coffee table. They watched for a moment more before the candle in the middle of the room suddenly flickered and went out! 

When Midnight opened his eyes, the first rays of morning sunshine were already caressing the horizon and he found that he was in his own bed. Angelica and Peppermint were both still fast asleep, snuggled up in their own beds and he could still hear his father's snoring floating through the air from down the hall.

And as Midnight thought back at the events of the previous night, he found that the memory was slowly becoming more and more vague until he himself was no longer certain of the facts! But, as Midnight lay his head back on the pillow, trying to make sense of things, a thought suddenly came to him. - Right before he had fallen asleep the previous night, he had distinctly heard the chiming sound of sleigh bells ringing in his ears...

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May this Christmas end the present year on a cheerful note and make way for a bright and happy new year!

Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all the critterzens of Rooibosch Hill!!!