Anna and The Santa Trap by Anita N. Amin
“We’re going to catch Santa!” Anna told her kitten the morning before Christmas. “Every year, I fall asleep and miss Santa, but not this time. I’ve got the perfect plan! You’re going to lead Santa straight to me.”

Anna held up a small silver bell. It dangled from a red ribbon. Anna tied it around Kitty’s neck.

Kitty tried to play with the bell. Ding. Ding. The bell jingled.

Anna grinned. “When Santa hears that bell, he’ll think one of his reindeer got loose and come looking for it. And that bell will wake me up so I’ll see Santa!”

Excited, Anna and Kitty pranced around the house all day.

Finally at bedtime, Anna left cookies and milk for Santa on a table near the Christmas tree. Then, she went to bed.

Ding. Ding.

Anna’s eyes flew open. “Kitty?” She peered into the darkness. “Is Santa there?”

Ding. Ding. Anna frowned. The jingles were coming from outside on the roof.

“How did Kitty get up there?” Anna hurried out of her bedroom. “She was supposed to stay with me.”

“What’s going on?” Mom yawned, stepping out into the hallway in her robe.

“Kitty’s on the roof,” Anna said. "I can hear her bell."

Ding, ding. This time the jingle came from Anna’s room.

“There’s Kitty,” Mom said as Kitty came out of Anna’s room. "She's been in the house all night.

“But…” Anna frowned. Then, she froze. “Santa!”

Ding, ding. A faint jingle came from outside.

Mom’s eyes grew wide. “Santa’s reindeer?” she whispered.

They rushed to the window just in time to see a bright light streak across the sky.