The Grinch

It's Christmas Eve. A green streak flashes by as the little occupants of Whoville scurry to and fro. Some Who's carry stacks of tottering presents, others chat in the snow-covered streets, and still others frolic aimlessly about. For those few who sit cozily in their homes watching the hustle and bustle, sipping their piping hot hot-cocoa and fantasizing of Christmas day - for those few Who's, they watch something green flash through Whoville Way. It's not a trick of the eye or a blinking green light; it's the Grinch on his speeding green sleigh installing his final touches.

As Mayor, the Grinch orchestrates single-handedly the yuletide festivities. From Popping Balloon Day to Belching Beer Week, he creates an activity for every emotional streak. To match his imagination and strength, the town's centerpiece tree grows in size and rank. Lights cover every inch. Houses decorated by the Grinch take the form of every shape, from a jumping unicorn to a flying finch. The Decoration Initiation customarily begins the day after Christmas and doesn't stop until Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve night, he dashes away on his sleigh and gives every Who in Whoville a special treat.

On this Christmas Eve night, as on every Christmas Eve night, the Grinch didn't feel so great. It was his customary Nap of Misgivings after the party and before the big flight.

"Max!" the Grinch bellowed from his bed.

Max, the Grinch's canine companion, scampered to the door.

"Maximus! Maxy poodles! Maxy poo poo! I can't go on!"

Max looked at his master in some confusion and then trotted to the foot of the bed.

"This is no way to live, Max. Always giving! I need to be in my cave again, where I can think of myself. This is so unnatural. Being nice! Being vulnerable, and to the Who's no less!"

Max looked up.

"Oh, Max! You're right. I'm being my old self again. But it feels so good, my poodely poo. It feels delicious to indulge in my old self. I love it! I'm leaving, Max. I'm going back. Remember 11 o'clock? It used to be self-loathing time, and we thought about all the things despicable and deplorable about me. Remember? We had a two-hour special on Christmas Eve. If we hurry now we won't be more than a little late!"

Max poked under the bed for his antlers.

"Don't do it, Max. Max!"

Max fitted his antlers on.

"Ohhhhh, fine. You win. Let's go!"

The Grinch snatched the antlers from Max's head.

"Hahaha! Did you forget? It's my turn to pull this year."

He stuffed a Santa hat on Max's head and they were off.