
ILLUSTRATIONS
I THE SURPRISE PACKAGE
II PANCAKES FOR TWO
III THE NEW HOUSEKEEPER
IV HUNTING FOR THE PIE-MAKER
V THE TURNOVER GOES TO SCHOOL
VI MRS. EM. TO THE RESCUE
VII EXIT “OLD GROUCHY GRUFF”
VIII UNCLE LEM’S CHRISTMAS PARTY
IX MERRY CHRISTMAS FINDS THE HAPPY NEW YEAR
A snow‑laden train station becomes the stage for a quirky holiday mix‑up, where a burly conductor delivers a brown‑coated girl who claims to be a “surprise package” bound for her Uncle Lemuel. The villagers gathered around a white‑washed stove argue over a missing bundle, while the newcomer’s red‑bowed hat sparks laughter and curiosity. Her story of missionary parents, a sudden school closure, and a hurried journey to spend Christmas with family sets a lively, heart‑warming tone.
As the bus driver and station‑master shuffle mail bags and jokes, the small community reveals a tapestry of characters—noisy drivers, bemused elders, and a determined teen who insists she’s not a child at all. Their banter paints a picture of a close‑knit village bracing for a festive night, where simple acts of kindness turn everyday chores into Christmas magic. Listeners will be drawn into the cheerful confusion, eager to see how the surprise visit reshapes the holiday routine.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (98K characters)
Release date
2026-04-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1874–1923

by Martha Finley

by H. C. (Hans Christian) Andersen

by Peter B. (Peter Bernard) Kyne

by Charles Dickens

by Alicia Catherine Mant

by Charles Dickens

by Amy Ella Blanchard

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