one go--in one of the toy trains of cars I see on the shelves?"

"Oh, my, no!" laughed the Plush Bear. "Santa Claus takes the toys to
Earth in his sleigh, drawn by reindeer."

"Oh, how wonderful!" brayed the Donkey. "I wonder if I shall soon take
that wonderful voyage. I hope I may!"

"Hush!" suddenly called the Rolling Elephant. "Santa Claus and the
workmen are coming in and they must not see us at our make-believe play.
Quick! To your shelves, all of you!"

Such a scramble as there was on the part of the toys! Some helped the
others to climb up, and just as the last of them, including the Nodding
Donkey, were safely in place, the door of the shop opened and in came
Santa Claus and his men.

Then such a bustling about as there was! And from outside the shop could
be heard the jingle of bells.

"Those must be the reindeer," thought the Nodding Donkey. "Oh, what a
jolly time I shall have if I ride in the sleigh with Santa Claus!"

Never was there such a busy time in the shop of Santa Claus! Jolly St.
Nicholas himself hurried here and there, helping his men pick up
different toys which were put in a big bag. One of the men stopped in
front of the Nodding Donkey.

"Shall I put this chap in, Santa Claus?" the man inquired.

"Is the varnish dry?" asked St. Nicholas.

"Yes," answered the little man, testing it lightly with his finger.

"Then put him in," said Santa Claus. "I'll take the Nodding Donkey to
Earth with me."

"Oh, joy! Now I shall have some adventures! Now I shall see what the
Earth is like!" thought the Nodding Donkey.

A moment later he was picked up, wrapped in soft paper, and thrust into
a bag.

"Oh, how very dark it is here," said the Donkey in a whisper.

"Hush!" whispered a Jumping Jack near him. "Don't talk! Santa Claus
might hear you. He has very sharp ears. You'll be all right. It is no
darker than night."

More toys, all carefully wrapped, came tumbling into the bag, and the
merry jingle of bells grew louder. Then the voice of Santa Claus could
be heard shouting:

"Hi there, Dasher! Stand still, Prancer! Whoa, Blitzen! What's the
matter, Comet? Are you anxious to get to Earth again? Well, we'll soon
start. Steady there, Cupid! Whoa!"

"He's talking to his reindeer," whispered the Jumping Jack.

Suddenly the toys in the big sack felt themselves being picked up. Santa
Claus had slung them over his back to carry out to the sleigh. A moment
later the Nodding Donkey felt a breath of