The Nutcracker

Retold by Hiroyuki Takei

Illustrated by Elizabeth Mayuku

Chapter 1: Christmas Eve

A soft, fluffy layer of snow covered Clarence’s house on Christmas Eve.

Inside, a party was in full swing, but one very special guest hadn’t arrived, Clarence watched for her at the window.

Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door. “She’s here!” he cried, dancing over and flinging open the door.

It was Clarence’s godmother. He gave her a big hug. “What a warm welcome on such a chilly night!” she said, with a chuckle. “Merry Christmas!

Clarence loved his godmother’s visits. Something magical always happened when she was around.

“I have a very special present for you this year,” she told Clarence, as she placed a package under the tree.

Chapter 2: The mystery present

That night, Clarence couldn’t sleep. He lay in bed thinking about his present. “It can’t hurt if I just have a little peek,” he thought.

Finally, Clarence tiptoed downstairs. He soon found the present, tied up with a big red bow. On the ribbon there was a tag with message: Merry Christmas Clarence, I hope this protects you… With love from your godmother.

“I wonder what Godmother means,” thought Clarence.

Slowly, Clarence untied the bow and folded back a corner of the paper… Inside, he found a wooden nutcracker doll, dressed like a soldier.

Just then, the clock struck midnight. Clarence gave an enormous yawn. In a few minutes, he was fast asleep under the tree.

Chapter 3: The magic begins

Clarence woke up with a start, feeling very confused. He couldn’t remember where he was and his doll had vanished.

He looked around and saw he was under the Christmas tree… and it seemed to be growing. “What happening?” he thought.

But the tree wasn’t growing — he was shrinking. Soon, he was as small as a mouse.

Out of the corner of his eye, Clarence thought he saw something leaping around. Frightened, he darted behind a present…

…and heard the tree rustle behind him. Clarence spun around.

“Don’t be afraid, Clarence. I won’t hurt you,” said a friendly voice. Clarence was astonished. “But you look like…”

His doll had come to life! “I’m the Nutcracker Princess,” she said, with a bow, “and I’m here to protect you. The kitchen mice are plotting to kidnap you.”

The princess pulled out a whistle and gave a shrill blow. At once, the lid of the toy box flew open and a long line of toy soldiers marched out.

Standing in rows, they saluted the princess. “Attention!” she cried. “Clarence needs our help. Prepare yourselves for battle, ladies. Wheel out the cannons!”

Mice began to appear in the shadows. Slowly, they crept closer. Clarence hid behind the princess. “Steady, ladies… steady,” she shouted. “Wait for the signal — and FIRE!”

Huge lumps of cheese flew from the cannons and struck down several mice. Some lumps landed in the corners and the other mice scampered after them.

“Excellent work, ladies!” roared the princess, as the last mouse vanished. But the fight wasn’t over yet. “Bravo,” said an evil voice from the shadows.

A mouse wearing a crown and an eye patch appeared.

“That’s the Mouse Queen,” the princess whispered to Clarence. “Is cheese the best you can do?” jeered the queen. “It’ll take more than that to beat me! Now hand over the boy.”

“I’d rather die!” said the princess. “That can be arranged,” the Mouse Queen sneered.

Soon, the princess and the Mouse Queen were locked in battle. Their swords clanged as they danced around the room. “I’ll make cream cheese out of you!” cried the Mouse Queen. “Take that, you rascally rodent!” shouted the princess.

Then disaster struck. The princess tripped on a lump of cheese and sprawled on the floor. Seizing her chance, the Mouse Queen put her sword to the princess’s neck. “Well, well, well… I’m going to enjoy this,” she said, laughing.

As the Mouse Queen pulled back her sword, Clarence whipped off his shoe and threw it as hard as he could at her head. She fell in a heap on the floor — knocked out cold.

Chapter 4: Sleigh bells ringing

Clarence rushed over to the princess. “Are you alright?” he cried. “Yes — thanks to you,” she said. “We must celebrate,” she added as Clarence helped her up. “I know just the place.”

The princess led Clarence to a golden sleigh behind the Christmas tree and helped him aboard. “Off we go, boys!” the princess called to his four reindeer.

As they gathered speed, the sleigh started to rise up into the air. They rode out through an open window and into the night.

After some time, they came to a forest covered with crisp white snow. “We’re nearly at our first stop,” the princess announced. “Hold on, we’re going down!” The snow crunched under the reindeers’ feet as they landed.

Just then, a handsome gentleman dressed in sparkling white appeared among the trees. “Clarence, I’d like you to meet my good friend, the Ice King,” said the princess. “What a lovely surprise!” greeted the king.

The king led them to his icy palace, which glistened in the moonlight.

Inside, icicle chandeliers hung from every ceiling. “You’ve arrived in time for the dances!” said the king, as they walked into a grand ballroom.

A piano began to play and eight ballerinos dressed in silver and white twirled into the middle of the room.

They twinkled like snowflakes as they spun around.

“I’ll always remember this,” whispered Clarence to the princess, as the music came to an end.

After a game of catch with the palace poodle, it was time to leave.

“Do we really have to go?” sighed Clarence. “Yes, we really do,” said the princess. “There’s someone else I want you to meet and we don’t have much time.” They waved goodbye to the king. “Au revoir!”

Chapter 5: The Land of Sweets

Clarence gasped when they reached their next stop. The trees were bursting with marshmallow blossoms, and lollipop flowers sprouted from the ground.

Then Clarence saw that the mountains were topped with melted chocolate and milkshake rivers flowed down them. “Where are we?” he asked, amazed. “The Land of Sweets!” the princess replied.

Before them stood a huge marzipan castle, decorated with all kinds of treats.

Lifting Clarence from the sleigh, she set him down on the palace steps and a fanfare of trumpets rang out. At the top, the doors opened and a fairy appeared, dressed from head to toe in pink and white.

“Clarence, this is the Sugarplum Fairy,” said the princess. He rules over the Land of Sweets.” “I hope you have a sweet tooth,” said the Sugarplum Fairy, with a smile.

He led them into a grand hall, where the tables were covered with chocolate cakes, cookies and candy swirls.

“Watch the wobbly chairs,” whispered the princess as Clarence sat down. “They’re made of raspberry mousse!” Clarence ate until he thought he’d pop.

After the feast, a band struck up and dancers from around the world performed for Clarence.

First came the dance of chocolate, and a Spanish pair spun around to snapping castanets.

Next came the exotic dance of coffee. A handsome Arabian prince danced with smooth, swirling movements in time to soft, soothing music, holding swords.

The third group of dancers had come all the way from China to entertain everyone with their tea dance.

Many more dances followed, each one showing something good to eat or drink.

But the final dance was very different. A group of ballerinos, all dressed as flowers, performed a slow waltz for Clarence.

Their arms unfolded gracefully like the petals of a flower, as they weaved in and out of each other.

“And now I’m afraid it’s time for us to go home,” said the princess sadly. With a sigh, Clarence climbed into the sleigh and waved goodbye to the Sugarplum Fairy.

“Thank you for an amazing evening, Nutcracker Princess,” said Clarence, with a yawn. He was so tired that he fell asleep on her shoulder.

When Clarence woke up, he was back under the Christmas tree and the princess was gone.

Only his doll lay beside him. “Oh, it was only a dream,” he cried. “But it seemed so real.” Just then, Clarence spotted the tag that his godmother had attached to his present.

“I hope this protects you,” it said. “I wonder if that means she knew the Nutcracker Princess would rescue me,” thought Clarence. “Maybe it wasn’t just a dream…”

— The End —