That night after all the elves had been tucked in bed, Sally returned to Santa’s Workshop. She tiptoed into the darkened room and hid behind a pile of stuffed toys. It wasn’t long before her suspicions were confirmed.

Out of the mouse hole came Father, Mother, Aaron, Annie, Amy and little Annette. Father and son began painting tiny racing stripes on the little cars. Mother and the girls picked out paint to brush on lovely designs in the little rooms of the dollhouses. Sally watched in wonder.

She decided to make her presence known to the little mice. “Excuse me,” she whispered and the little mice froze in place. They turned to flee as Sally explained, “Don’t be afraid, I’m a friend. I just wanted to see who we all owed thanks to for such great work.”

Father Mouse stood in front of his family, “We thought we could help out,” he explained. “We felt we owed Santa for providing us with such a good life here in his workshop. Now that we’ve been discovered, I’ll move my family on. No one wants mice around these days.”

“No, wait. No one needs to know,” replied Sally. She turned to leave the workshop.“They call it Santa’s Secret Village, and your secret’s safe with me,” said Sally as she tiptoed out the door.

THE END!