Was watching a rerun of the grand old holiday special Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer last night and that got me to thinking about something. Rudolph has a red, shiny nose and is tormented and rejected by his fellow fawns and adults alike for it. Just because Rudolph doesn't fit the rigid standards of the North Pole society, he is treated as a freak or worse.

However there is a bright (no pun intended) spot to the tale. Christmas Eve that year is host to a blinding, vicious snowstorm and only Rudolph's shiny nose can help Santa get through it and deliver toys as he normally does. It's only then that the other reindeer and the North Pole gang warm up to him. In other words, after spending the entire time rejecting him they now bring him in based on what he can do for him.

Of course Rudolph forgives them and does his job (if only for the sake of a happy ending) but it does beg the question-should he after all the hell they put him through? Part of me would have him say, "Screw you guys! You kicked me when I was down now you make your bed the best you can." At the least I would have had Santa and company squirm a little before agreeing help him and the rest out.

Your mileage may vary of course. That's just my take on things.