Dakota pedals her red bike through the snow. Her basket jiggles with gifts for St. Nicholas Eve.
A twisty turn sends a package sliding off. Bump-bump-bumping into the bushes, it reveals a gleaming envelope.
The fairy zips toward the enchanted forest. Dakota pedals faster, wind whistling past her ears.
The fairy drops the envelope into the basket. The clever dog catches it and wags so hard its whole body shakes.
Dakota rings her bell. Two clever dogs trot from the trees with stockings in their mouths.
A deep drift blocks the path. The dogs slide and tumble in the powdery snow.
Dakota pushes a hole through the drift. The snow crunches as the dogs leap free, shaking glittery ice from their fur.
The wind whistles sharp, scattering gifts across the cobblestones toward icy puddles.
She dives for a blue box. The fairy bops it back with a wooden spoon while the dog nudges another gift to safety.
"Join the chain!" she calls. The fairies and dogs herd every present back into her basket.
Dakota straddles her bike. Fairies perch on her handlebars and dogs sit by her wheels, all wearing paper crowns.
She drops a bundle at the bakery door. The baker presses a warm gingerbread star into her hand. Dakota offers half to the fairy, who giggles and nibbles.
