Most Christmas stories are about joy and miracles. L. Frank Baum, the creator of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, decided to write one about sabotage and kidnapping. It’s a plot twist you don't see coming.

The Story

The story is set in the Laughing Valley, where Santa Claus lives with his hardworking helpers. All is peaceful until five ancient, grumpy demons—Selfishness, Envy, Hatred, Malice, and Repentance—decide they’re sick of Santa making people happy. They hatch a plan: kidnap Santa on December 23rd and lock him away in their dark mountain caves. With Santa gone, they reason, his gifts of kindness and generosity will never be delivered, and their own nasty influences will spread across the world.

The kidnapping works! But what the demons don’t count on are Santa’s loyal and magical toys. A wooden clown, a tin soldier, a rag doll, and a woolly lamb aren’t about to let Christmas be ruined. They escape the toy shelves and embark on a dangerous journey to the demons’ mountain to rescue their maker. The fate of Christmas morning hangs in the balance.

Why You Should Read It

This isn't just a simple rescue mission. Baum packs a lot of clever ideas into a short story. I love that the heroes aren’t elves or reindeer, but forgotten playthings who find their courage. It turns the classic Santa myth on its head in a really charming way. The demons are fantastic villains—they’re not just evil for evil’s sake. They represent real, human flaws that try to snuff out goodwill. It’s a story about how the spirit of giving is powerful, but it’s also something we have to actively protect. It’s got that classic Baum feeling: a bit strange, wonderfully imaginative, and with a heart that’s genuinely warm.

Final Verdict

Perfect for fans of classic fairy tales who want a darker, more adventurous holiday read. If you love the world of Oz and its quirky logic, you’ll feel right at home here. It’s also a great pick for families to read aloud (maybe to slightly older kids, as the demons can be a bit spooky). Think of it as the antidote to overly-sweet Christmas stories—a short, punchy adventure that reminds you why the holiday spirit is worth fighting for.