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In the cold of the North Pole’s springtime, Rudy Reindeer came into the world.  Her parents watched in wonder as she slowly struggled to her feet.  First one foot and then the other, she rose to a stand and gazed at her new surroundings.

    “Mama, Daddy,” Rudy said as her red nose glowed in the mornings stillness.

    “Oh look, Rudolph, she has your nose,” Clarise said.  “Isn’t she beautiful?”

    “Indeed, she is.  Hmmm! I’m just wondering what Santa will say,” said Rudolph.

    They did not have to wait long.  News gets around fast at the North Pole.  Soon Santa, all of the elves, and the other reindeer came to visit the new arrival.   They were very surprised when they saw Rudy’s red nose.

    “Ho! Ho! Ho! What do we have here?” Santa asked.  “Another red nose reindeer and a doe at that.”

    Wide-eyed and curious, Rudy unsteadily walked from reindeer to reindeer. She stopped when she got to Santa Claus. 

   “Hello, Santa,”  Rudy said as her red nose glowed up at him.

   Santa reached down and patted her head.  “She looks like you, Rudolph.  Too bad she’s not a buck.”  Santa shook his head and left the stable.

    “Why does Santa want me to be a buck?” Rudy asked.

    “Don’t let it bother you right now little one, Rudolf told her.  Santa will change his mind, just as he changed his mind about me.”

    Clarise nuzzled her little daughter proudly. She knew like most mothers know, that Rudy was destined for something wonderful.

   Rudy grew quickly.  She was smart and she was fast.  She had watched the bucks during the reindeer games.  She knew that she could learn to fly too.  Rudy practiced every day.  Soon she could out-run any buck that challenged her to a race.  Then, she was leaping and flying.  Rudolf and Clarise watched from a distance.  They took pleasure in each new accomplishment.  One day as Rudy was flying at her best, Sprinter, the buck in charge of the reindeer games saw her.