Love in a time of cholera...

This is the start of a story I'm working on. It is dedicated to Mike Boyce as he was the inspiration. The content is objectionable. Sorry for those who will take offense. No baby yet means I will do an installment every day until the baby comes. Your reviews would be greatly appreciated. Now to begin...

Once upon a time there was a bear named Barry (and yes, he loved berries). He made his home near the north pole where he hibernated all winter long. Of course he knew nothing about the Christmas season celebrated by humans. How could he, he was just a bear, and he slept through it every year. Barry had no idea that just near his home was Santa’s workshop. He had no idea that this year Santa mourned the death of nearly all of his hard working elves. Barry had no idea that elves were susceptible to cholera. He had no idea that Santa stayed up for hours making sock puppets to replace his elves. This is truly where the story begins, for one little sock puppet, named Henry was about to come to life. And yes, Barry knew nothing of it.