Day 14: Press Release from the North Pole!

Littlest Elf Earns His Star at the North Pole

"I can't believe I finally did it," said Simon, smiling gleefully. "It's been my dream all my life to be a permanent member of Santa's Workshop. Ever since I toured the place as a young elf, I knew I had to become a toy elf. It was my dream to make toys for all the girls and boys of the world. And I've finally done it!"

"Simon showed the rare dedication required of all of Santa's elves," said chief toymaker Herbert. "I knew he would make the cut. We're all very proud of him." In the last five years, only three elves have joined the ranks of Santa's elves. The other two were formerly known as Anton Elfstra, who is chief dollpainter, and Herbert Snowhill, who went on to become chief toymaker.

During the off-season of Christmas, the elves offer tours of the workshop to all of the elfen communities in hopes of adding more elves to the staff. As the world population grows, Santa's workshop need more young recruits to replace the many retiring elves. It was through one such tour that Simon signed up to be a toy elf.

While centuries ago every elf was a toymaker, now the toymaker is a special revered guild of elves. Due to changing times, many elves now work in non-toy industries including high-technology fields such as microcomputers. Due to their nimble fingers, elves can make more money putting together circuit boards than toys. Every elf dreams of being a toymaker, but many set aside their dreams to support their families in the harsh North Pole climate.