There was an old reindeer who lived all by himself, and he was very lonely. Sitting in the kitchen one night, he said, "Oh, I wish I had some company."
No sooner had he spoken than down the chimney tumbled a carrot, from which the orange flesh had rotted. The old reindeer's eyes bulged with terror.
Then two feet made of filthy, decaying snow dropped to the hearth.
Then a snow torso tumbled down and attached itself to the feet, then two twig arms, and a snow head.
As the reindeer watched, the parts came together into a small, gangling snowman. The snowman danced around and around the room, hugging the walls and chairs. Faster and faster he went. Then he stopped, and he looked into the reindeer's eyes.
"What do you hug for?" the animal asked in a small voice that shivered and shook.
"What do I hug for?" he said. "I hug...for YOU!"
(As you shout the last words, stamp your foot and hug someone nearby.)