Ezra and the Mischievous Krampus

Once upon a time in the bustling town of Columbia, South Carolina, lived a little boy named Ezra. Ezra was cheerful and curious; he loved playing outside with his friends and discovering new things every day.

It was December 4th, 2024. The air smelled like sweet cookies from Mrs. Baker’s bakery down the street. Children were making snowmen while giggling as they threw fluffy snowballs at each other.

But something strange happened that day! A newspaper report fluttered by in the wind right into Ezra's hands! It read: "Krampus Caught Being Mean Again!"

Ezra scratched his head curiously. “Who is this Krampus?” he wondered aloud.

Just then, his friend Lily ran up beside him holding her puppy in her arms. “Have you heard about Krampus? He’s a naughty creature who comes around before Christmas!”

Lily told stories about how Krampus liked to scare kids who misbehaved instead of giving them presents like Santa Claus did!

“I don’t like that,” said Ezra shaking his head furiously. “What if he scares my friends?”

With determination shining in his big brown eyes, he decided right then and there that someone needed to talk to this grumpy fellow!

“Let’s find him!” cried Lily excitedly hopping up-and-down.

So off they went on their little quest through the town square filled with twinkling lights and festive decorations hanging everywhere.

They called out loudly while looking behind bushes and under tables: “Krampuuuus! Where are you? We want to talk!”

Suddenly they heard a loud thump followed by some soft mumbling near Mr. Jenkins’ toy store! v "Is it too late for me?" moaned a voice from behind stacks of toys all covered with dust. They peeked around the corner—and lo and behold—there stood Krampus himself! His hair looked wild like tangled spaghetti noodles! v His long coat was dirty with bits of mud splattered all over it! v And oh dear—he had giant horns sticking straight up from his head! v “I’m not scary at all!” protested Krampuusu softly but sadly as he noticed two tiny faces staring wide-eyed at him. d v “What do you want?” asked again but now sounding more whiny than fierce.* z t “We just wanted…to help you be nice instead of mean!” exclaimed Ezra boldly stepping forward. m o Surprised by such bravery coming from such small children,G wKrampus blinked slowly.