You hold the half-list tightly as you step deeper into the Candy Cane Forest. Snowflakes drift down like quiet whispers. The peppermint trees glow softly, guiding your way. You look left. You look right. You even peek under a snowy bush shaped like a gumdrop.
But there is no sign of the rest of the list. Just when you start to feel worried, you hear a gentle hoot. From a low branch, a small winter owl flaps down to your shoulder. Its feathers shine like tiny snow diamonds.
"I heard you're looking for something important," the owl says in a soft voice. "I saw a fox carrying a piece of paper a little while ago. I can help you track it."
"Really? Thank you!" you say, feeling hope warm up your chest.
The owl leads you through the trees. You follow its flapping wings until you reach a patch of snow with tiny pawprints.
"There," the owl says, pointing with one wing. "The fox went that way."
You follow the tracks and soon spot a white snow fox with bright blue eyes. In its mouth… You see the other half of Santa's list!
The fox tilts its head, as if wondering what you want.