"Ho, ho, ho, this is jolly good cocoa Mrs. Claus, and I always enjoy your ginger snap cookies," Santa said. The jolly old elf and Mrs. Claus were comfortably tucked into their his and hers chairs, their feet up on a stool and with plaid afghans wrapped around their knees.

"Yes, it's nice to share a quiet evening, with our busy December season about to kick off," Mrs. Claus replied, "this cocoa will help you get a good night's sleep, dear. I think you've been a bit restless lately." Mrs. Claus pulled her glasses off her nose and took a steady look at her jolly old husband.

"Now, Mrs. Claus how would you know? You sleep like a log every night. I don't think a marching band could wake you once you're asleep! Ho, ho, ho," Santa joked.

"Well the elves have said as much too," Mrs. Claus replied, "Just yesterday Erno told me that he thought you looked a bit tired and wondered if you were feeling all right. Even the reindeer agreed. They worry about you too, dear," Mrs. Claus said.

"Oh, I'm just fine. Fit as a fiddle. Right as rain, or in my case, frozen rain! Ho, ho, ho," Santa said.

"The elves and reindeer are worried about the 'prankster' also," Mrs. Claus said, "And I'm not too happy about him, or her, either! These cookies you're enjoying are my second try. I had to throw out the first batch because someone replaced the sugar in my canister with salt!" she said indignantly, "And that's the least of it. There have been other pranks here at home, at the reindeer barn, and at Santa's Workshop! This prankster is really enjoying himself. Why he even left this riddle in my sugar canister: What's red and white, red and white, red and white, and covered in snow?" Mrs. Claus paused for a moment, "Santa Claus tumbling down a hill!"

"Ho, ho, ho! Well, I like that! Now dear, I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, just some harmless pranks, I used to do much the same when I was young." Just then Santa paused and looked thoughtfully into the distance, "Indeed, lately I've had some unusual dreams, about when I was a boy . . ."

"Well, that was only a few millennia ago!" Mrs. Claus laughed, "I just hope this prankster doesn't ruin Christmas."