Welcome to Disney's Magic of Storytelling podcast, brought to you by Wake Med Children's, because inside every child is a story waiting to be told.
Our storyteller is ABC 11 news anchor Lauren Johnson.
This is 101 Dalmatians The Puppies Messy Christmas.
One winter evening, Pongo and Perdita were watching TV with their puppies when a rustling noise in the hallway caught their attention.
The puppies jumped off their chairs and ran to the doorway.
They all watched silently as Roger and Nanny hauled a huge tree into the parlor.
It was fresh and green and made the room smell like a pine forest.
What's going on?
Roley asked, turning to look at his mother.
Don't worry, dear, said Perdita.
It's Christmas Eve.
This is just the beginning.
Chris mess lucky ass, it does look like a mess he wagged his tail.
The parlor floor was covered with pine needles, boxes of ornaments, tinsel garlands and strings of small lights.
Anita was waiting in the parlor to help roger and nanny.
The puppies looked on in awe as their human pets began acting very strangely.
Roger hung shiny colored globes on the branches.
Anita was winding a garland around the tree.
When the tree was finished and the room tidied, Roger flipped a switch.
The lights and shiny ornaments cast a magical glow about the room.
The puppies looked wide-eyed at the tree.
That night, when Pongo and Perdita tucked the puppies into their basket, they told them all about Christmas.
It's a time when people show their families and friends how much they care for them, Pongo said.
He explained how humans sent cards, baked cookies and fruitcakes, and sang festive carols.
It may sound strange, but you'll grow to love the holiday season, Perdita said.
She nuzzled Patch, who let out a yawn.
Especially the beef bones left over from dinner, Pongo added.
Bones?
Patch said, perking up.
His father smiled.
And that's not all, Perdita continued.
On Christmas Eve, after everyone's in bed, people sneak presents under the trees.
Presents?
All the puppies said at once.
What kind of presents?
Patch asked.
Can you wish for them?
I'd wish for a new bed, Lucky said as he climbed into the basket he shared with his brothers and sisters.
Why do people put presents under the tree?
Pepper asked.
Christmas is about giving, Pongo told the puppies.
People give presents to their friends and family to show how much they love them.
I wonder if we will get any presents, said Rolly.
Maybe, Perdita replied.
Anita gave me a new collar last year.
And I got a red ball, said Pongo.
I hope someone loves us, said Penny.
You are all loved, whether or not there are presents under the tree, Perdita said.
Now time for bed.
Tomorrow is a big day.
On Christmas morning, the puppies woke at dawn.
They crept into the parlor.
Sure enough, there were piles of brightly wrapped packages. underneath the tree.
We are loved, Freckles cried.
The puppies dove into the piles of presents.
They tossed the packages around, ripped and tore at the colored paper.
Christmas is fun, Rolly exclaimed as he shook some wrapping paper out of his mouth.
Lucky pulled open a box.
Perfume, he said, and wrinkled his nose.
Penny dragged a spotted necktie out of some tissue paper.
What do I need with more spots?
Freckles held up a lace handkerchief What is this for?
He asked.
Just then, they heard Rogers and Anita's voices in the hallway.
The puppies looked at each other in alarm.
Let's get out of here, Roley said.
The puppies scampered around the room, hiding behind the sofa, under the chairs and in the folds of the curtains.
The puppies trembled when they heard Rogers' footsteps.
He stopped in the doorway.
What on earth?
He said.
Anita walked up beside him.
Oh dear, she cried.
Perdita!
Pongo!
Roger called out.
Where are you?
The puppies heard the click of their parents' claws on the wooden floor as they scurried toward the parlor.
When they came into the room, Pongo said, Woof!
And Perdita repeated, Woof!
The puppies looked at each other uncertainly.
We're in for it now, Lucky whispered.
Then they heard something very strange.
Anita started to laugh.
Rogers said with a chuckle, looks like we had some help opening our gifts.
Wasn't that kind of the puppies?
Nanny said as she walked into the room and saw the mess of paper and ribbon.
I wonder where they've gone off to, Rogers said with a twinkle in his eye.
Here, pups.
There are still so many boxes to unwrap, Anita said, shaking her head.
I do wish they'd come and help.
The puppies slowly crept out from their hiding places and gathered around the tree.
Roger pointed to the packages.
Go for it, boys and girls.
Yip, yip.
The puppies attacked the presents, tearing into the bright wrappings and the tangled ribbons.
When the puppies grew tired of rolling around in the wrapping paper, Anita brought out a large basket.
Sorry, we didn't have time to wrap these, she said.
But then she smiled maybe you've done enough work for today.
She handed each puppy a squeaky toy.
From the bottom of the basket she pulled out two christmas sweaters for pongo and perdita.
Anita knitted them herself, said roger, with pride.
That evening, after christmas dinner was over, the puppies were still full of energy.
They weren't ready to go to bed.
We like christmas, said pepper.
We like our toys, said Rolly.
We like wrapping paper, said Patch.
But remember what we told you about Christmas, Perdita asked.
She nudged her children towards their basket.
It's a time for giving.
It's also about forgiving, Pongo said gently.
You were lucky that Roger and Anita weren't upset that you unwrapped their presents.
The puppies' heads drooped a little.
We're lucky we have two wonderful humans, Perdita said softly.
That is the best present of all.
The puppies raised their eyes to their mother, hopefully.
We are loved, Penny said.
She smiled.
You are all, each and every one of you, loved, Perdita assured her children.
And that's what Christmas is really all about, Pongo said as those puppies drifted off to sleep.
Wake Med Children's is proud to support the ongoing enrichment of children in our community and beyond through our sponsorship of the Disney Magic of Storytelling podcast.
To learn more about Wake Med Children's, please visit kids.wakemed.org.
