Annabelle's Wish

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You know, Christmas Eve is a night

tailor-made for wishes.

This Christmas Eve

would be no exception.

It was special, even for Santa...

...cos that night...

...on a farm in Tennessee,

a calf was born and a legend began.

Her arrival...

...would change

the life of a little boy for ever.

Her name was Annabelle.

And, trust me, it was no accident...

...this bundle of joy, with wishes

all her own, was born on Christmas Eve.

# Deck the halls

with boughs of holly

# Fa-la la-la laaa la la la la

# 'Tis the season to be jolly

Fa-la la-la laaa la la la...

#... laaaaaa!

Owwww!

I know, Ears...

...but you gotta admit, Emily's got spunk,

and she's good to our Billy.

We like that in a gal, don't we?

Woof woof woof!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Bye! Merry Christmas!

Now, Grandpa Baker was a believer

through and through...

...and he had a wish that Christmas, too.

It wasn't anything for himself.

Keep going, Mr Baker...

...don't stop here!

His wish was for his grandson.

Billy had a bit of a problem.

What's the matter, Billy?

Ain't ya gonna sing?

Yeah, he was singing - Silent Night!

Bucky and Buster Holder...

...how can you be so... so mean?!

Just because Billy can't talk

doesn't mean he can't hear! He has ears!

Get outta here!

Woof woof!

You... you...

...bullies!

- Nah nah na-nah nah!

Don't worry, Emily, I'll handle this.

How would you boys like to go

carolling with us?

- My boys ain't goin' nowhere.

- Evening, Gus. Merry Christmas.

We don't go in for that around here.

Don't you remember

when I used to take you carolling?

You were full of Christmas spirit then.

That was before and this is now.

You'd best be getting on.

I'll start her and we'll get on down

the road. Sorry we bothered you.

Huh!

Buster, they done forgot their present!

Merry Christmas

The way they acted, you'd think

Mr Holder and his boys...

...hated Christmas.

Bucky and Buster are meaner

than snakes!

I hope Santa Claus

has nothing left but dolls...

...when he gets to their house!

Well, he's gotta leave 'em something.

Last stop, Emily.

That was fun, huh, Billy?

Singing Christmas songs.

Well, not the singing part.

Being out on Christmas Eve.

Night, Billy.

- Night, Mr Baker.

- Woof woof woof!

Merry Christmas to you, too, Billy.

Yep, somehow Emily always knew

what Billy wanted to say.

Woof woof!

Hey, hey, hold your horses, Ears!

Woof!

Woof woof! Grwoof grwoof grwoof!

Reckon I'd best see what's going on

in the barn. Wanna give me a hand?

That's okay, son!

I'll be in in a minute to tuck you in!

- What's all the commotion here?

- Eee eee whoa 'ey!

Let me in, guys.

Well, would you just lookee here!

Looks like you got your Christmas present

real early, Star.

Well, she's a real beaut!

Mooooooo!

Neigh-nei-i-i-igh!

Yeah, Scarlett...

...you're a beauty, too.

- Nei-i-i-igh!

Shucks, missed a spot! Can't have

you two catching a chill, can we?

Woof!

Yeah, I can patch up this old barn,

but I can't seem to patch up Billy.

Woof woof!

That's okay, Slim,

it's the thought that counts.

My friends, merry Christmas!

You're getting a little big for this.

Either that or I'm getting too old.

Christmas on the farm

was pretty simple...

...but, in the city, simple

was never enough for Aunt Agnes.

# Deck the halls

with boughs of holly

# Fa la-la la la

# La la la laaa

Perfect!

Per-fect!

Well... nearly perfect.

Hmm, candles...

...candy...

...tinsel.

Something's missing.

And you know what that is?

A child, that's what.

And we know just where

to get one, don't we?

When your brother died,

you gave up all rights to your nephew.

We haven't been able to find

a legal loophole.

You're my lawyer! I'm paying you

big bucks to find a loophole!

Actually... not that big bucks.

If I have to spend one more Christmas

without you, Billy, I...

I...

I... get what I want!

Memories have a way of being

good and bad.

That old music box reminded Grandpa

of his daughter Sarah...

...and gave him the gumption

to raise that little boy.

On the other hand, it brought up

the night Billy lost his voice.

Doc, do you think

Billy's gonna be all right?

I'm sorry, he may never talk again.

Well, if anyone could prove

that doctor wrong...

...it'd be Grandpa.

He just refused to give up.

Phew!

Around midnight,

old Ears tore out on a mission.

It had to do with

the secret legend of Santa Claus.

You never heard of it, did you?

Heh-heh! Well, that's why

they call it a secret.

Woof woof!

You see, the story goes that,

on this night...

...Santa brings the animals

a very special gift.

Whoa!

I said, who-o-o-oa!

The story goes...

...children aren't the only ones

who get a gift from Santa.

Let the talking begin!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Santa!

M-M-Mom...

...who is that?

I'm Santa Claus.

But the question is,

who are you, hmm?

Let's see.

Ahhh, you must be Annabelle...

...and right on schedule.

Say, what's that on your lips, Slim?

Huh?

Oh, well... um... er...

You ate my lunch, didn't you?

I-I can't help it...

...I get so hungry!

I'm a pig!

But I promise I'll start my diet

right now - tonight!

Ears, old buddy, what's the scoop?

You've asked the right person about

what the scoop is because I know...

...and the scoop is this...

What was the question?

I-I just can't seem to get

this whole flying... thing!

That's because... flying is up.

Don't worry, Owliver, you'll be

flying with eagles in no time.

Miss Scarlett...

...looking lovely as ever, I see.

You really think so?

I bet you're just sayin' that.

I'm not as young as I used to be.

- Ho ho ho ho ho!

- Santa...

...I've got the best

Christmas present ever.

Yes, I'd say you do, Star.

Now, where did she go?

How come these cows

have these things on their heads?

Those aren't cows, Annabelle.

They're my magic reindeer.

They help me fly.

Fly?

Mmm, flying is like...

...taking a walk in the sky.

It's how I get around the world so fast.

Hold still, now.

There!

You're as pretty as a present!

Well, I've gotta go.

Lots of youngsters depending on me.

Enjoy the talking, now...

...but, remember...

...it's our secret!

Hup!

Merry Christmas, Santa!

Merry Christmas!

# This time of year

# In the cold

# Of old December

# Songs of the past

help us to remember

# If you believe

# In the song inside you

# You'll find a voice to sing

# If you believe in your dreams

to guide you, you can do anything

# If you can open your heart

# Then you can start

# To be completely free

# If you believe

# In yourself

# It's easy

# To believe

# In...

#... me

Ho ho ho ho ho!

Come on inside, honey.

But I wanna go with him!

I wanna fly, too!

Well, sweetie,

you'll have to talk to Santa about that.

Is he coming back?

Mm-hm, yes.

- Next year.

- Hm, good!

Then I'll wait right here!

You know, a year is a very long time,

young lady. Er, maybe...

Maybe you'd better wait inside the barn.

Maybe next time, Momma...

Maybe next time I can ask Santa...

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