The Mouse Who Wrapped Presents
A tiny mouse named Nibble learns that even the smallest hands can make something magical.
Age
3-6 years
Time
5 mins
Moral
Small acts of care, done with love, matter more than being big or loud.
Deep inside Santa’s workshop, behind tall shelves of toys and under long wooden tables, lived a tiny grey mouse named Nibble. Nibble was very small—smaller than a teacup, smaller than a mitten—but he had very quick paws and the neatest whiskers in the North Pole. Every morning, when the workshop bells rang and the elves hurried in, Nibble woke up too. He stretched his little paws and said, “Time to work.” The workshop was always busy before Christmas. Elves hammered and painted. Dolls blinked their eyes. Toy trains puffed tiny clouds of steam. Nibble didn’t build toys. He didn’t paint toys. He didn’t test toys. Nibble wrapped them. He folded paper carefully, smoothing every corner. He tied ribbons into perfect bows and pressed labels straight and tidy. “No wrinkles,” Nibble whispered. “No crooked bows.” Most of the time, no one noticed. The elves rushed past, carrying toys in stacks. Santa checked lists and laughed loudly. Nibble watched quietly from his wrapping table, a little pile of shiny paper beside him. I help too, he thought. Even if no one sees. One evening, Nibble overheard the elves talking. “Look at this rocket I built!” one elf said. “My puzzle is perfect!” said another. Nibble looked down at his paws. “I wish someone noticed my work,” he sighed.
That night, when the workshop grew quiet and the lights dimmed, Nibble stayed awake, wrapping one last present—a small box with golden paper and a red ribbon. He tied the bow extra carefully. “There,” he said softly. “Perfect.” On Christmas Eve, the workshop buzzed louder than ever. “Load the sleigh!” Santa called. Presents were stacked high, ready to be delivered. As Santa lifted a wrapped gift, something caught his eye. “Well now!” Santa chuckled. “Look at that bow!” The ribbon shimmered just right. The paper lay smooth and neat. Santa lifted another present. “And this one too!” He looked around the workshop. “Who wrapped these?”
The elves looked at each other, confused. Nibble’s whiskers trembled. “It… it was me,” Nibble squeaked. Santa knelt down so his face was level with the tiny mouse. “Well ho ho ho!” Santa laughed warmly. “These are the finest wrapped presents I’ve ever seen.” Nibble’s heart swelled. “Would you like to ride in the sleigh tonight?” Santa asked. Nibble’s eyes grew wide. “Really?” he whispered.
Parent's Guide
A sweet story about feeling 'too small' to make a difference. Nibble's quiet dedication is noticed by Santa. Great for encouraging detailed work and showing that quiet contributors are valuable.
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