The Gift That Kept Guessing: story transcript
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The Gift That Kept Guessing
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Crispin loved an entrance. On Christmas morning, he placed an enormous open gift box beside the tree, climbed in, and arranged his teal cape. When Vesper arrived, he would rise like a grand surprise. First, he practiced his grand-surprise face.
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Vesper came in carrying two mugs of cocoa. She stopped beside the box. Crispin's orange beak stuck over one edge; his orange feet stuck out below. His eyes followed her every move. Vesper set down the mugs. "What could be inside?"
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Crispin held his breath. Vesper tapped her chin. "A very small piano?" "No," said Crispin. "Pianos don't have beaks." He clapped his flippers over his mouth. Vesper leaned closer. "Then perhaps it's a piano pretending to be a bird."
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"It is not a piano!" Crispin said. "Interesting," said Vesper. "It answers questions. A talking snowball?" "Snowballs can't talk." "A talking snowball with lessons?" Crispin sank deeper into the box. His cape clasp caught on a ribbon, and the whole box jingled.
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Vesper tilted her head. "A sack of jingle bells doing its homework?" "Bells don't have homework," Crispin said. "Then who keeps ringing?" Crispin grabbed the ribbon to stop the noise. The box wobbled. So did his grand-surprise face.
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Vesper considered him very seriously. "I have it. A furious Christmas pudding!" Crispin tried to say, "Puddings don't have—" but laughter got there first. It burst out of the box, followed by Crispin, his cape, and three crumpled bows.
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"You saw me the whole time!" Crispin said. "Of course," said Vesper. "Your feet waved hello." Crispin looked down. His feet had slipped outside the box again. "I was going to surprise you." "You did," said Vesper. "I didn't expect the pudding to laugh."
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Crispin handed her the ribbon. "Your turn. I'll guess." Vesper climbed into the open box and tucked in her tail. Crispin paced around it. "Is it a sleepy teapot?" "No," Vesper said. She pressed her paws over her mouth, a little too late.
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"A teapot with paws?" Crispin asked. "No!" Vesper squeaked. "A teapot that says no?" The box shook. Vesper's tail sprang up like a flag. "This is impossible!" she cried. "I know," said Crispin. "I haven't even guessed the spout yet."
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Vesper tumbled out laughing. Crispin climbed back in. "One more try," he said. Vesper shut her eyes. "A very quiet penguin?" Crispin opened his beak, then shut it. He rose slowly above the box, silent at last. "Wrong," whispered Vesper. "A magnificent entrance."
