𝒜 𝐿𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒 𝒞𝒽𝓇𝒾𝓈𝓉𝓂𝒶𝓈 𝑀𝒶𝑔𝒾𝒸

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝟥

After some time, Uncle Drosselmeyer, along with Papa and Mr. Philips, returned with three large, colorfully-wrapped gift boxes.

"Oooh, I wonder what they're gonna be!" Jonathan, Fritz's best friend, wondered.

"I bet they're toys!" Piper's eyes shone. Even though she was fourteen, she still loved Uncle Drosselmeyer's creations.

"Don't be silly," Fritz retorted. "Toys can't be that big. It has to be something else."

I smiled with childlike wonder. I didn't want any expectations to ruin the magic.

"Gather around, now, children!" said Uncle Drosselmeyer, his German accent more noticeable than normal. That usually only occurred when he was excited, stressed, or angry. I was certain, though, that it was excitement more than anything.

All fourteen of us kids huddled around the mysterious presents. The boys all had dominated the left side of the room, while the girls had taken over the right.

"Open them! Open them!" someone (I think it was one of the boys) started to chant. Soon, we'd all taken up the chant to the point that we were practically shouting.

"All right, all right!" Uncle Drosselmeyer threw up his hands in defeat. He may have been a little eccentric, but nothing brought him more joy than to see kids appreciate his handiwork.

Walking over to the first box, he carefully removed the lid, which was conveniently located on the front to reveal a life-sized doll wearing a checkered shirt and pants. A black mask covered his eyes, and he wore a Napoleon hat. A large windup key stuck out of his back.

Uncle Drosselmeyer began to wind up the doll. "I must admit, I am a little old-fashioned. I do prefer good, reliable clockwork over modern technology. Yet again, I am a clockmaker." He chuckled.

I sure didn't care that it wasn't that modern. He'd probably taken all year to both carve the doll and fit him with mechanical parts, and that added a sort of charm I wouldn't find with a toy that moved at the touch of the button. To my (and most likely everyone else's) amazement, the toy began to dance, albeit rather mechanically.

"He can dance!" I gasped.

Even the adults and older teens were paying attention. Once he finished his dance solo, we all cheered.

"What was he?" Alexander, a neighbor kid, asked.

"A Harlequin doll, Alexander," Uncle Drosselmeyer answered. "I recommend you research them in further detail. For now, we still have to reveal my other presents."

The room fell silent with anticipation. He walked over to the second large box and removed its lid, revealing a pretty ballerina doll. She wore a pink tutu, and her dirty blonde hair was pulled back in a neat bun. On her feet were two dainty satin pointe shoes. I noticed yet another windup key in her back.

I wonder if she'll do a ballet routine! I thought

Wordlessly, he wound her up, and she sprang to an upright position and began to dance. Her ballet movements were surprisingly graceful and fluid for a mechanical doll.

"Oh my word, he's a genius," Melissa breathed. It was her first Stahlbaum Christmas party because she'd moved here a few months ago, so I chose to remain silent and not sing the praises of my godfather. It was best for her to experience it.

"Oh yeah, he is!" my little brother bragged.

Thankfully, one of the adults shushed the kids, so there was no more talking.

The ballerina finished her performance and reverted to her original position. Everyone let out a round of thunderous applause.

"That's not all," Uncle Drosselmeyer hinted. "There is yet one more surprise hidden in the third present."

Our eyes riveted themselves on the third present. He opened it up with the same caution as the other two. In the box was a life-sized soldier doll, complete with a bright red uniform and tall, cylindrical hat. Like the other two, a key was stuck in his back. After he was wound up, the soldier began to dance a wild, upbeat dance. The boys were in literal heaven, Fritz included. Once the doll had finished, the boys stood to their feet, wildly applauding. We ladies also clapped enthusiastically. This doll had done the most complicated movements out of all of them.

"That was indeed a spectacle, Herr Drosselmeyer!" Papa slapped his dear friend on the back. "I wonder how you ever find the time to make these. And don't you ever have someone to help you? Business must be quite hectic around Christmastime."

Uncle Drosselmeyer chuckled. "Oh, Lukas. I do have someone I would like to pass the torch to, my nephew. Hopefully, he will soon be able to join me at the shop. I could use the company." He sighed wistfully.

"You have a nephew, Uncle?!" Fritz was stunned.

"Is he actually your nephew, or does he just call you "uncle" like we do?" I wanted to know.

"To answer both of your questions, yes, I do have a nephew, and yes, he is really my nephew. He is my youngest sister's son and is about a year older than you, Clara. I hope you will be able to meet him soon."

"You said that to Papa, too, Uncle Drosselmeyer," I pointed out. "You said 'soon'. Why?"

A sad look crossed over his face. "Ah, Clara, his situation is a complicated one. I have not seen him for nearly a year. If all goes well, he will be able to join me for Christmas and New Year's. But I don't know. I wish I did. Well, my task is not quite over here. I have some extra special presents for all the children! Come, children!"

The other kids rushed up to my godfather, excitement clearly visible on their faces. As a response, he opened his coat, exposing multiple pockets stuffed with what had to be presents.

"Ladies first!" he said as Fritz rushed to stick his hand into the pockets. "Piper, since you are the eldest girl in this 'line', why don't you reach in and grab something? I guarantee you that you will find something you'll enjoy."

Piper thrust her hand into one of the pockets and pulled out a small parcel wrapped in tissue paper. When she tore it open, she let out a little cry of surprise.

"It's a necklace! And it matches my outfit perfectly. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Herr Drosselmeyer!"

Then it was time for a boy to select a gift. Uncle Drosselmeyer chose Will, Melissa's introverted thirteen-year-old brother. He ended up selecting a far larger, oddly shaped present.

"Wait, is it what I think it is?" He ripped off the wrapping paper with enthusiasm I didn't know he was able to possess. "It's a wooden rifle—the only type of toy gun Mom will let me have 'cuz she's got a thing against NERF guns! Thanks a lot!"

Interestingly, the next kid to go up was five-year-old Nancy, the youngest girl in attendance. She received a baby doll and ran off to show her mom. Alexander was then chosen, receiving a stick horse. I marveled at how bottomless Uncle Drosselmeyer's pockets seemed to appear.

How did he fit a stick horse of all things in there?!

Once all the others had taken their turn, including Fritz, I was the only kid left without a present.

"Hey, Clara, looks like you didn't get so lucky this year!" Fritz taunted, showing off his brand-new drum. Papa shot him a Look, and my brother fell silent.

I'm pretty sure Fritz only meant to tease me, but his words still stung. He certainly did a good job of getting on my nerves again.

"Clara, my beloved goddaughter, I've saved the best present for you. Look under the tree, and you'll find him." Uncle Drosselmeyer winked.

I rushed toward our Christmas tree, frantically hunting for what on earth he could be talking about. At last, I discovered a hand-carved nutcracker doll. I didn't know why, but I felt drawn to him. My godfather certainly was right.

"Oh, thank you! He's perfect!" I hugged Uncle Drosselmeyer tightly while clutching my new nutcracker in my left arm. "Did you make him?"

"Actually, this is my nephew's handiwork. I mainly supervised." His eyes held a mysterious look to them. "Take good care of him. There is more to him than meets the eye."