Hello, this is Jana, and welcome back to Story Noory.

I'm here with a Christmassy birdie story.

Birdie's Christmas Puzzles

It was a chilly evening.

Mum had turned down the heating to save money,

because these days, the price of everything is so high.

Jake was hunched over his desk in his room. He held a hot water bottle against his

tummy to keep him from freezing. His homework was sprawled out in front of him, but his

mind was far from the math's problems. He was thinking about their Christmas holiday in

Lapland, staying in an Iglu hotel, meeting Santa and seeing real-life magical reindeer prancing in the snow.

Dad had promised to take the family on this once-in-a-lifetime trip to Santa's homeland.

Well, he had sort of promised.

He said it depended on the money on him receiving a nice Christmas bonus.

If the bonus came through, they would be packing their bags for Lapland.

That little if loomed over the plan like a miserly cloud.

Oh, please, Santa, please give Dad his bonus for Christmas.

He's been a good dad all year, we'd rather see you in Lapland than down our chimney,"

murmured Jake. At that moment he heard a raspy voice from the direction of the window.

Open up!

Buddy!

Jake called out.

His feathered friend perched at the window, always brightened his mood.

...