Settle down for some festive magic as Mrs Claus reads you an exclusive bedtime story this Christmas Eve from Paignton Zoo

Read along:

Happy Christmas, boys and girls.

And thank you so much for all the beautiful letters that I’ve been getting.

I’ve got some more that, I’ve just got a moment, if you don’t mind me reading.

This one’s from Clara.

Oh, Clara,

She wants a Labubu.

Now, I know there was definitely one put on the sleigh this morning.

Not sure if it was for you.

Let’s see if you get that later.

Thank you so much for your lovely letter.

Is it alright if I read another one?

Perfect.

Oh, look at this.

Tommy wants an experience with the giraffes.

Now, I hope you’ve been very good, because that’s a very important present.

Boys and girls, please keep writing all your lovely letters to me.

But as I promised, I’ve got a story for you.

Would you like me to read it? Okay.

Elfred the elf had been sent to Paignton Zoo to help with Christmas.

When he got there, he called out “Good morning, animals.” and the whole zoo came to life.

The parrot squawked, the flamingos flapped and Ria the sloth just smiled.

“Elfred,” said Ria, “what’s a conservation Christmas?”

And Elfred then told everybody exactly what I told him.

“It’s when we celebrate Christmas in ways that are kind to our planet.”

“We keep our earth clean and safe for everyone who lives on it.”

“Humans and animals alike.”

Well, the animals thought that this was a splendid idea.

The orangutans were the first to get to work, “We’d like to decorate our trees.” they chatted. But Elfred reminded them, “No tinsel this year.” “It can harm the forest animals, let’s use natural treasures instead.”

So they strung together garlands of leaves and pine cones, and one cheeky baby orangutan even hung a banana at the top of the golden star.

Oh, I do love a bit of creativity.

Then along padded Dao the tiger. His stripes gleaming like ribbons on the winter sun.

“How can a tiger be green for Christmas?” He asked.

“By sharing your story.” said Elfred, very, very cleverly.

“Tell everybody how important your forest home is, so people will want to protect it.”

Dao gave a proud nod.

And such an almighty roar, that the parrots squawked, and a few of the flamingos toppled over.

Just then, the giraffes strolled gracefully by, their long necks swaying like tall Christmas candles.

“We’d like to help too.” said Grace the giraffe.

“But sometimes people forget about our trees, the ones we need to nibble and shelter under.”

Elfred nodded thoughtfully.

“Then let’s remind them, too.”

“You can decorate your trees with messages, about saving our forests, every leaf could carry a special message about nature.”

The giraffes loved this idea.

They wrote wishes on recycled green leaves, “More trees for everyone.” they wrote. And hung them high where the wind would carry the messages far and wide.

All around Paignton Zoo, the spirit of a green Christmas grew.

The parrots, they sang songs about recycling. The meerkats, well, They picked up the litter, and sorted it into sparkling art.

And the zookeepers, they promised to switch off every light at night, so the stars could come shining through.

When the sun began to set, Elfred climbed up onto a rock, and rang his little bell.

“Everybody,” he said. “Mrs. Claus has sent you a message!”

He unrolled the scroll I’d written, tied up with a candy cane ribbon and read it aloud.

“To all my wonderful friends at Paignton Zoo,”

“thank you for caring about our beautiful world.”

“Remember, Christmas isn’t just about presents,”

“it’s about presence.”

“Being there for the earth, for the animals,”

“and of course, for each other.”

“With all my love, Mrs. Claus.”

Just as he’d finished reading, a snowflake began to drift down, a little gift from Santa and I. Of course.

And the zoo twinkled under a blanket of white, and the animals cheered.

The lights shone red and gold and earth green too. Bright for every creature, big and small.

Elfred looked up at the snow and laughed, “She really is a bit cheeky, and she always adds a little bit of magic, doesn’t she?” He said.

Oh my dears, I certainly do.

So this Christmas, let it be just like the animals at Paignton Zoo.

Be caring, creative, and kind to our planet.

After all, the best thing that we can give the world is to look after it.

Happy Christmas!