The Committee

The entertainment committee for the children's hospital is having a meeting in the lunchroom. The smell of food makes it feel cozy, and there's an old coffee scent in the air. They are there to discuss the Christmas show.

Eli arrived early and set up chairs in a circle. He loves to bake and brought some treats to share. Grace came in next, flicking her black hair out of her blue eyes. She loves to act in pantomimes in her spare time. Rose followed; she's a bit grumpy but she smiles at Grace. She has rushed to the meeting from the golf course and is flustered from rushing to the meeting. Simon, who loves knitting and is very creative comes in next, sitting next to Eli. Lucy skips in wearing a yoga outfit since she has a class later and slides into the seat next to Simon.

Kat is last to arrive, sneaking in wearing a white shirt with a pink sweater over it and carrying a paint-splattered bag with her art supplies.

Eli stands up and says, "Okay, what should we do for the Children's Christmas Show?" Grace suggests, "Let's do a Christmas-themed drama performance and I can direct it." Eli then says, " I think we should also have Santa and a magic show." Simon agrees and then says, "I think that Eli should be the director of the performance as he is a great chairperson." Lucy speaks next, " I agree and suggest we also have arts and crafts, singing, and dancing for the sick children. Kat quietly adds, "What if Santa brings presents for them?”

Ideas swirled as the committee planned, but Grace sat back, fuming. Her suggestion to direct had been ignored, and resentment started to brew.

The mole

Everyone left, and Grace stayed behind, feeling upset that she didn't get to direct the show. She pulled out her diary and started writing down some ideas to ruin the event. "They didn't listen to me, and I want to stop this event," she wrote angrily. Grace was really mad about not being in charge.

"Hmm, what can I do to stop this event?" she thought. "I know! I could distract everyone and not do my part properly. Maybe I'll fake an injury a day before the event so I can't perform and I can secretly sabotage the event!" Grace even thought about throwing fake snowballs at people while they were performing. "I'll hide behind the stage so no one can see me," she planned.

Grace's Mischievous Performance

The big day of the event finally arrived. The air buzzed with excitement, but everyone was feeling excited, tired and a little worried. The performance began, and everything went smoothly—until Grace decided it was time to shake things up.

While everyone was busy performing, Grace sneaked behind the stage. She picked up a snowball and, with a mischievous grin, tossed it at Simon. The snowball hit him square in the back, and he stumbled, nearly tripping over his feet. But instead of getting upset, Simon burst out laughing and quickly recovered, continuing his part like nothing had happened. The kids watching thought it was hilarious, and soon everyone was giggling.

Kat, however, raised an eyebrow. She wasn’t so sure it was part of the show. But the rest of the audience was too caught up in the fun to question it.

When it was Grace's turn to perform, she decided to mess with the audience a little more. Even though she knew all her lines, Grace pretended to forget them. Instead, she started telling silly jokes. The kids laughed, thinking it was all part of the act, but Grace wasn’t sure why her plan wasn’t working the way she wanted. She had hoped for more drama, but instead, people were just having fun.

Backstage, Kat wasn’t fooled. She noticed some snowballs lying around and a few stray black hairs on the floor. Her mind started racing. Could it have been Eli? Not everyone ate the treats he brought to the committee meeting, but as the chairperson he must want it to go well. Maybe Lucy? Lucy had a reputation for being a bit sneaky at times, but she wasn’t known for playing pranks. What about Simon? He’d seemed a little too relaxed for someone who’d just been hit with a snowball, but he didn't usually act that way. Then there’s Rose... She could be grumpy, but sabotage? Kat wasn’t sure.

And then, of course, there was Grace. Could it be her? Grace had a knack for stirring up trouble, and Kat knew she loved seeing drama unfold.

Kat decided to keep an eye on things and wait for more clues.

Meanwhile, Grace was determined to pull off one more trick before the event ended. She saw her chance when the stage lights dimmed and the crowd seemed distracted. Grace pretended to trip on her way to centre stage, hoping for a dramatic fall. But Eli, who was standing nearby, quickly caught her.

Kat watched from the side and whispered, “That looks fake.”

Grace’s face turned red as she realised her prank had backfired. She’d hoped for drama, but instead, her little stunts were only adding to the fun of the performance. Was her plan falling apart?

Confrontation at the Christmas Play

Kat notices black hair near the snowballs and remembers Grace has black hair too. She figures out that Grace might be trying to ruin the event, so she decides to confront her.

“What are you trying to do?” Kat yells at Grace. Everyone turns to look at Grace, whose face turns redder. “I don't know what you're talking about,” Grace says.

Kat then lists everything Grace did: throwing snowballs, messing up lines, and pretending to fall. Everyone is shocked. Grace realises she can't hide it anymore. “Okay, fine, it was me,” she admits.

“Why did you do it?” asks Kat.

Grace responds, “I just wanted to direct the show, and when no one listened to me, I got mad. I thought... I don’t know, I thought if the show didn’t work, they’d realise how much they needed me.”

Eli shook his head. “Sabotaging the event wasn’t the way to go.”
“I’m sorry,” Grace said, her voice small. “I know what I did was wrong, but I really want this event to work. Can I still help?”
Kat softened. “How about you close the show with a final message to the kids?”
Grace’s face lit up. “Really? Thank you!”
The play goes well. with Grace stepping forward to wish the children a Merry Christmas. Grace stepping forward to wish the children a Merry Christmas. Santa arrived with gifts, and the room filled with laughter and cheer. The kids had a wonderful time, and even Grace felt lighter as she joined the others in celebrating their success.

By the end of the day, the committee was already buzzing with plans for next year’s event. Grace promised herself she’d approach things differently next time.

“Merry Christmas, everyone!” the committee cheered, their smiles as bright as the holiday lights.