It was Christmas Eve 2017 and James and Lily were extremely excited for a piece they were going to do for Lily Luna's World.
"Merry Christmas everyone!" chroused James and Lily as they began recording.
Lily then explained, "Last year we reviewed the 1964 Rankin-Bass Christmas special Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer on Lily Luna's World. This year, we will be reviewing the original 1939 story Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer."
"So, " began James, "I've got say, I really enjoyed reading the original Rudolph story. I noticed the prose was very much in the style of Twas the Night Before Christmas."
"Yeah, that was cool, " said Lily brightly, "In fact, the first line is Twas the day before Christmas and all through the hills the reindeer were playing enjoying their spills."
"Cute, " grinned James, "I love the Rankin-Bass special, but I have to admit, I enjoyed the focus of this story really being all about Rudolph himself. Without the subplots of misfit toys and excited prospectors, there's a purity, a simplicity, a focus to this story that is beautiful."
"Very well said, James, " agreed Lily, "Personally I loved how Santa discovered Rudolph when he was already on his journey in this story."
"Yeah, " said James matter of factly, "It made a satisfying story that Santa actually had to go through some adversity and worry on his actual flight in this story. "
"I couldn't have said it better myself, " said Lily glowingly, "Santa's fear that children would awaken before his complete Christmas trip had been taken was very palpable in this story. That only enhanced the feeling of Rudolph saving the day."
"Which further elevates his hero status, " added James, "I also love that line about guiding Santa's sleigh being the Number One Job and the Number One Day."
"Yep," said Lily, "I also like the fact that Rudolph was still humble after being a hero. He didn't gloat or boast. Of course, he was too tired for a long speech. All the same, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night, which is the very last line of Twas the Night Before Christmas, was the prefect thing for Rudolph to say at the end."
"Let's call a spade a spade, " said James bluntly, "Twas the Night Before Christmas is the canon Christmas story. Things like Frosty and Rudolph are like fanfiction."
"That's an interesting way to look at it, " said Lily thoughtfully, "Do like you this original Rudolph story better than the Rankin-Bass special."
"It's hard to compare a book to a TV show, " said James indecisively, "Ultimately, I prefer this one because it's a purer Rudolph story. They're both 10 out of 10 though."
"I prefer the Rankin Bass special because I adore the music, " admitted Lily, "But yeah, they're both 10 out of 10."
"So, " said James, "Lily, do we agree that we recommend to our viewers that the read the original story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer from 1939?"
"YES!" cried Lily.
James and Lily exchanged looks and burst into song.
"You know Dasher and Dancer
And Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid
And Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say
Rudolph, with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight
Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
You'll go down in history."
"For my favorite sibling James Sirius Potter, this is Lily Luna Potter speaking for Lily Luna's World. See you all next time."
And before ending the recording, both James and Lily belted out.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT! :)