It’s a little known fact that 10% of the toys made by Santa’s elves do not pass quality control inspection. This is a story about one of those toys.
Timothy’s Train toy #MCH1385633762 came off the assembly line in June 1987. He had a powerful looking black engine, a sleek yellow freight carrier, and study red caboose. “I will make a great present for some lucky family,” though Tim.
Although he felt good, Tim kept having problems during his evaluation by the quality control inspectors. He kept turning right and running into things. He ran over a Christmas tree, several of the other toys, and two very indignant elves. “Sorry, Tim” said the inspectors, “but you won’t be making the trip with Santa this year. You have a problem—you can’t stay on track.”
And so, instead of going to Christmas Wrap and Shipping, Tim was sent to live with the other toys who had failed inspection. He felt angry and lost.
After a while, Tim made friends with Kelly, a kite who string was too short, and Howard, a football whose laces kept coming untied. They mostly sat around feeling sorry for themselves.
One day they were approached by one of Santa’s elves who suggested they attend a daily meeting held by a group of toys who had also failed to pass inspection. “Why”, asked Tim, “What do they do?” “Well”, the elf replied, “They talk about their problems and how they can overcome them.” Tim decided to attend, while Kelly said she would think it over and Howard stated that it sounded like a waste of time.
Although he was scared and felt uncomfortable at first, Tim attended the meetings and felt a new sense of both hope and challenge. Finally, he asked his new friends, “Can anyone help me get on track?” He had many offers of help and encouragement. Bill, a toy stethoscope, said to him “Tim, you tend to go to your right, you should do the opposite, go to your left. This will straighten you out.” Fearfully, Tim tried something totally new to him and after many attempts struggling to change, and a lot of encouragement from Bill and the others—He got it! Tim could stay on track! “Now What?” Tim asked Bill. “You wait for the miracle,” Bill replied.
Tim fa
xt morning Tim was shown into the Corporate Office, top floor, of Christmas, Inc. Santa met him personally and congratulated him for getting on track. “You will be riding with me on Christmas Eve,” Santa said. At first Tim was very excited and happy about the news but suddenly he became angry and confused. “Wait, Santa,” he almost shouted, “ Why now? Why couldn’t I go right away like most of the toys?” “Why did I have to go through all the hard times of getting on track?” “Why?” “Why?”
“Tim,” Santa said, “I have always had special plans for you. That’s why your time here has been more difficult and more challenging than for the others. You will be going to a very special family, not as what you were—a Christmas present—but for what you have become—a true gift.”
And so on Christmas—That special time of giving–Tim was connected to his family and brought a very special meaning to them all.
Happy Holidays to all of you who work each day to stay on track.
Share your gift! — Mike
ithfully attended his meetings and even began to help others. Kelly finally started showing up but Tim never did see Howard again. One night after his meeting, Tim was approached by the elf who had originally told him about the meetings. “Yo, Tim,” he said, “The Man wants to see you.” “Who?” asked Tim. “The Man,” the elf replied, “you know—Santa.”
The next morning Tim was shown into the Corporate Office, top floor, of Christmas, Inc. Santa met him personally and congratulated him for getting on track. “You will be riding with me on Christmas Eve,” Santa said. At first Tim was very excited and happy about the news but suddenly he became angry and confused. “Wait, Santa,” he almost shouted, “ Why now? Why couldn’t I go right away like most of the toys?” “Why did I have to go through all the hard times of getting on track?” “Why?” “Why?”
“Tim,” Santa said, “I have always had special plans for you. That’s why your time here has been more difficult and more challenging than for the others. You will be going to a very special family, not as what you were—a Christmas present—but for what you have become—a true gift.”
And so on Christmas—That special time of giving–Tim was connected to his family and brought a very special meaning to them all.
