User:John Falangie/sandbox

Schmutzy the Reindeer

While most of the modern "Western" Christian world can easily identify the "traditional" eight famous reindeer; Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. Most will add the 9th; Rudolph. But what most people commonly forget the the critical, and most "under sung" 10th reindeer; Schmutzy.

Schmutzy, derives his nickname from the German "schmutzig" meaning dirty, however his real name Siegfried. He was named after the dragon slayer in the Nibelungenlied.

He is the son of Carol and Steve Reindeer. Carol and Steve, who have been with Santa for several decades, had Siegfried right around the same time Rudolph was born. Since Siegfried lacked the ability to fly (as did Carol and Steve), Carol and Steve were keeping a sharp eye out for any special ability. They noticed that Siegfried kept his stall remarkably clean, and wherever Siegfried went, it was always left remarkably cleaner than when he arrived. This is where he was bestowed with the ironic nickname of "Schmutzy".

On seeing this trend, Carol and Steve kept a closer eye on Siegfried. They noticed he had an incredible ability to tidy things up in a remarkably fast manner. At first they were concerned it was a manifestation of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, but rapidly saw that it was an innate skill bordering on superpowers…much like Rudolph's red nose.

One Christmas Eve, while Santa was out with the "North Pole Nine" (or NPN), Schmutzy took it upon himself to clean the stables recently vacated by the NPN. Schmutzy cleaned them in record time, and upon the NPN's return, the reported to Santa how clean the sables were, and as a result, they were able to rest easier, and therefore reduce their recovery time.

Santa was thrilled. The NPN physical therapy costs plummeted while performance dramatically increased.