Christmas time will soon be here,
But I’ll sure be late this year,
Unless some one comes quickly,
And gets me loose from out this tree.”
Hearing that nice song Neddie wasn’t afraid any more. He opened his ears as wide as he could and listened. He opened his eyes as wide as he could and looked up. Then he saw a strange sight.
Caught fast in the tree was an airship—you know what they are—a sort of flying balloon, like a toy circus one, only larger. And in the airship was a nice old gentleman, with a red coat and long white whiskers; and beside him in the airship was a big bag just filled to the top with sleds and dolls and rocking horses and cradles, and steam engines and toy motor boats, and skates and jumping-jacks, and, oh! I couldn’t begin to tell you what was in it. Neddie knew right away who was in trouble.
“You’re Santa Claus, aren’t you?” he asked, as he came out from under the bush.
“That’s who I am,” answered the old gentleman. “I was flying down here from the North Pole in my airship, when I got caught in the tree. I’m stuck fast and I can’t get out, and I don’t know what to do. Can you find some one to help me?”
“I will help you myself,” said Neddie bravely and kindly. Then, laying down his school books, he climbed the tree sticking in the bark his sharp claws as he had learned to do from George, the tame trained bear, who went around with the Professor.
Soon Neddie was at the top of the tree. Then he broke off the branches that held fast Santa’s airship, and dear old St. Nicholas could travel on again, with his bag of good things for Christmas.