Read about Santa´s Reindeer

Dasher was born many years ago at the North Pole. He was named Dasher because

he always wanted to race the other reindeer. Every day he would insist on having a

race. This used to drive the other reindeer crazy. Dasher knows this Christmas Eve

the trip is going to be a long one. There are more toys than ever because the children

have been so good this year. Dasher is in charge of cleaning and waxing Santa’s sleigh

and making sure that all of the directional radar is working correctly. He has been

very busy doing these very important chores.

Dancer was born at the North Pole many years ago. Santa named him Dancer because

when he was a tiny reindeer all he wanted to do was dance. He used to put on a dance

recital every night for the other reindeer. The sound of his hoofs hitting the stage was

like Fred Astaire’s tap shoes. Dancer was so good that Santa wanted him to go on

Broadway, but he refused because he really, really wanted to pull Santa’s sleigh.

These days Dancer performs nightly at the North Pole Auditorium for Santa’s

elves. He usually has a sellout crowd, so if you ever plan a visit to the North Pole,

make sure you buy tickets before you come!

Prancer is in charge of all the fun and activities. His favorite game is hide and seek.

The reindeer must be very careful playing this game in the woods during summer

because it is hunting season then. Last year Blitzen got shot in the rear end, and it took

him 3 months to recover. Prancer is also in charge of Friday night movies; he makes

large bowls of popcorn for his friends and always has lots of chocolate for them.

Vixen was born at the North Pole many years ago. She has a major crush on Cupid

and hopes one day to marry him. Vixen is well known for her cleanliness. She has to

keep her eyes on the reindeer all the time, especially when they are playing. More

than the others, she has to watch Blitzen because he always plays football in the mud.

Vixen makes sure that the reindeer brush their fur and that their hoofs are polished.

She makes them take a bath every night, and not to the reindeer’s delight. As you

might expect, most of the reindeer hide from Vixen because she walks around with a

brush in her hand always wanting to use it on them. But there is one reindeer who

doesn’t mind and that is Cupid, because Cupid also has a major crush on Vixen.

Comet was named after the Comet Glorious which appeared in the sky many years

ago. The comet was so bright that it lit up the North Pole at night. Comet’s teacher in

Reindeer School says he is the brightest student she has ever taught. He gets straight

A’s in every subject. He will become the first reindeer to make the Honor Roll. He

has made his parents and Santa so proud this year. When he grows up he wants to be a

teacher so he can pass on all of his knowledge.

Cupid was born on Valentine’s Day. Santa decided to call him Cupid because he was

always trying to set up dates for all the reindeer. Cupid was so eager to find matches

for all his reindeer friends that he started his own newspaper called "The Cupid

Times". Several of these friends help him at the newspaper. Blitzen works in the

office, Comet prints the newspapers and his old pal Rudolph delivers them. The papers

cost $.25 and can be found at any store at the North Pole.

Donder is in charge of the reindeers eating habits. He needs to make sure they all

stay in shape. Donder starts a training camp every year on Nov. 8 at which over 200

reindeer try out for a spot on Santa's team. Last year Vixen got too heavy during the

summer and almost lost her spot to a rookie. But with hard work at training camp,

she was able to keep her spot on Santa's team. Donder runs a tough training

camp. Every day he has the reindeer lift weights for 2 hours, run 50 miles and do 500

push-ups. Donder started this training camp back in 1961 because Comet and Cupid

were so out of shape at the end of the summer that they couldnt pull Santa's sleigh

and lost their spots that year to two other reindeer: Ralph and Rodney. No one

knows about the swap so don't tell.

Answer the questions about Santa´s Reindeer

1. How many reindeer pull Santa´s sleigh?

2. What is Dasher in charge of?

3. How did Dancer got his name?

4. How often does Dancer want to dance for the others?

5. What does Prancer make for the other reindeer?

6. What happened to Blitzen last year?

7. What kind of relationship does Vixen and Cupid have?

8. Why most of the reindeer hide from Vixen?

9. What does Vixen almost always carry in her hand?

10. What does Comet´s teacher say about him?

Blitzen was born at the North Pole. Santa named him Blitzen because he reminded

Santa of himself when he played football in high school. Santa’s defense team used to

blitz the offense so much they called them the “Blitzers”! Well, Blitzen lives up to his

name because almost every Christmas Eve Santa and his sleigh run into a blizzard and

guess what happens? Blitzen takes the reins and pulls the reindeer through the stormy

weather.

Rudolph was born at the North Pole many years ago. As we all know, he is the most

famous reindeer of all. When Rudolph was young he had a very hard time playing

with the other reindeer. None of them would let him join in any of the reindeer

games because of his shiny nose. This made Rudolph extremely sad. He tried

countless things to keep his nose from glowing but nothing worked. One Christmas

Eve it was so warm that the fog started to roll in at the North Pole. It was so heavy

and thick you could not see your hand in front of your face. Santa thought he might

have to cancel his Christmas trip when he had an idea. Maybe he could use

Rudolph’s nose to guide him through the fog. So it happened that Rudolph led the

team of reindeer that night and has been there ever since.

11. How did Comet got his name?

12. When is Cupid´s birthday?

13. Who is Cupid in love with?

14. What does Cupid do?

15. How much does one copy of The Cupid Times cost?

16. Who delivers The Cupid Times?

17. How many reindeer work for The Cupid Times?

18. When does Donder start the training camp every year?

19. What must the reindeer do each day in the training camp to keep themselves in

shape?

20. When did Donder start his training camp and why?

21. How Blitzen got his name?

22. How can you recognize Rudolph from the other reindeer?

23. What was happening to Rudolph when he was young? How did he feel?

24. What idea came to Santa´s mind one year?

25. Why is Rudolph leading the Santa´s sleigh every year?