Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey

Santa doesn't have to worry.

I'll watch over his stable till he gets back. Like I do every year.

Ah, Christmas Eve. The quietest night of the year up here at Santa's castle.

That's because Santa and all the reindeer are off doing their big thing.

But as for Santa's donkey, well, it's sort of a night off.

What? You never knew Santa had a donkey?

Why, sure.

Who do you think pulls Santa's snowplow?

And who totes all of the toy carts from one place to the other?

Me. Speiltoe.

Come on, I'll show you around.

Well, this is it. Not very fancy, but we call it home.

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen.

Pretty, isn't it?

The animals' own Christmas tree, compliments of Mrs. Santa.

The elves made that pretty little manger themselves.

Just about the way the real one looked, I guess, except for the donkey.

They made him all wrong. He didn't look like that at all.

How do I know? Why, that donkey was my ancestor.

Nestor. Yes sir, Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey.

Elves are supposed to carve me a more accurate version.

But you know them elves.

Oh, well, come on, I'll show you the rest.

Here's where Comet sleeps.

And Cupid and Donner and Blitzen.

And, of course, you all know this feller.

You want to know more about Nestor? Can't say I blame you.

Well, it all happened a long, long, long, long time ago.

When the great Roman Empire stretched

from the lands south of the Mediterranean

to the wild countries of the North Sea.

And it was in these frigid climes,

in a crude stable on the farm of Olaf, the donkey breeder,

that Nestor lived with his mother.

No food for you, Long Ears.

You don't earn your keep!

Always tripping over your ears and smashing things.

There's nothing he can do.

You can have dinner. You earn your keep.

Come, Thor.

There's enough for both of us, my dear.

No, I'm really not hungry.

Ears, Nestor.

Those ears!

Longest goldarned ears ever grew on a donkey.

Yes, sir, from the day he took his first step,

those ears got him into one pickle after another.

Now in the meanest part of the year,

when the daylight was as short as the stub of a candle,

it was the custom on the longest night of winter to hold a celebration.

And this happy time was called the winter solstice.

Simple gifts were exchanged.

Nestor's mother gave him a bright pair of stockings

Olaf's wife had thrown away.

It was a beautiful time, full of peace and goodwill.

Why, the others were even friendly to Nestor.

Sorry if I made you feel bad, Nestor.

This is the best day ever. I'll never forget it.

Mwah!

And when the celebration was over,

they all fell into a deep and contented sleep.

Except for Nestor who, tired as he was, was just too excited to go to sleep.

Where the blazes are they?

What's going on?

The emperor needs donkeys. Strong young donkeys.

Show them to me!

This way, sir. I've got several fine colts.

He was a soldier from the Imperial Roman Army.

Beasts of burden were needed in the south lands.

Fine young specimens.

They'll do!

You too!

Nestor!

What's he doing?

Taking us away.

Away? No! Mama!

Come back here, you!

What the blazes?

Those ears! They're so long they drag the ground.

You try to cheat the emperor?

You would sell him imperfect misfits?

Uh. You can have him for nothing. Free!

I'll teach you! I'll have them all for nothing!

And you can keep little droopy ears!

Forward, slaves! For the glory of the Roman Empire!

You! Look what you've done to me!

No young donkeys. No silver coins!

I'm a pauper!

Blast you!

See? You ruin everything!

I'm done with you. Out!

No!

Nestor. My son.

I don't care if the storm freezes you!

Get out and never come back.

Mama!

Blast you!

Nestor.

Nestor!

Nestor!

Nestor, answer me! Nestor!

Nestor?

Mama?

So cold, Mama.

No more, my darling. Now we must be brave.

Uh-huh.

Remember that whatever happens, you must be brave.

Finding a sheltered spot, Nestor's mama dug away the snow

until she came to the winter grass underneath.

Lie in there, Nestor.

-But, Mama-- -Do as you are told, Nestor.

Yes, Mama.

The grass was cold and hard but better than the icy snow.

And Nestor's mama covered his entire body with her own.

Except for...

Ears, Nestor.

Yes, Mama.

By morning, the storm had gone, and, as savagely often does,

it left beauty in its wake.

The Good Lord sometimes works in strange ways.

The love of Nestor's mother had saved him.

But in saving Nestor, she had allowed the storm to take her.

And she was gone forever.

"Ears, Nestor."

And now Nestor was all alone.

Well, Nestor was on his own, but he survived that long winter

moving constantly southward through the great, dark, barren forests.

Aw, why bother? What's the use?

What good am I anyway with these stupid ears?

Huh?

It was then that Nestor's ears, which were as sensitive

as they were long, heard the first whispers.

A little girl?

No!

You couldn't be a real little girl.

You'd be frozen.

Are those wings?

Yes, wings. Do you like them?

-Who are you? -It's not who I am. It's what I am.

Do you know what I am?

A cherub!

-Cherub? -We're supposed to be inspiring.

You are?

Angels inspire humans and cherubs inspire animals.

-You do? -But, oops.

I fell off a cloud and spoiled everything.

My name is Tilly.

Now then, it's up to me to guide you