Once, before New Year, Grandfather Frost decided to visit the children to congratulate them on the holiday and give them gifts. The children had behaved well throughout the year and studied hard. He had prepared many gifts and sweets for them.
He packed everything into a large red sack and set off to the children's celebration. The sack was very heavy, and Grandfather Frost walked slowly, groaning and sighing.
Snow began to fall. When he approached the forest, snow had piled up—almost a meter high. It became difficult for Grandfather Frost to walk. He came to a large snowdrift and decided to rest—he put the sack down and sat.
Suddenly he heard a squeak, but saw no one nearby. The squeak sounded again, but he couldn't see the source. Suddenly Grandfather noticed the snow on the drift move and a small white tail appeared.
Who are you? — asked Grandfather Frost.
I'm a little bunny, — answered the "tail."
Little bunny, I'm going to the children to congratulate them on New Year and give them gifts. But my sack is very heavy. Can you help me carry it? — asked Grandfather Frost.
With pleasure, Grandfather, I'll help you, — answered Bunny.
The blizzard didn't stop. The snowdrifts grew larger, and Bunny couldn't hop and was freezing. Grandfather Frost placed him inside his coat. Evening came, and in winter it gets dark quickly.
Grandfather, — said Bunny, — we won't make it to the children today. I know where we can warm up. My friends Squirrel and Owl live nearby. They have food (as you know, squirrels and owls store food for winter). And they live in a warm little house.
Let's go quickly, show me the way! — answered Grandfather Frost.
Soon they came to a beautiful log cabin where Squirrel and Owl lived, knocked on the door and were let in.
Squirrel and Owl were delighted to see guests. They hadn't seen Bunny in a long time, and had long dreamed of meeting Grandfather Frost. The cabin was warm and smelled of tea with jam and cookies. After tea, the friends began to share their news.
After hearing their guests' story, Squirrel and Owl decided to help them. On the morning of December 31st, the blizzard stopped and the sun shone. But a lot of snow had fallen. Owl said:
You help Grandfather Frost carry the sack, and I'll fly above and show you the way from above.
That's a good idea, Owl, otherwise we'd wander through the forest for a long time, — answered Grandfather Frost.
Owl flew up and after some time pointed them to a pine tree that grew on a hill.
Do you see that pine tree?
Yes! — answered Bunny and Squirrel in unison.
Head toward the pine tree, then turn right, — commanded Owl.
Grandfather Frost made something like a sled from spruce branches and placed the sack on it. This made it easier for the friends to carry the sack of gifts. After several hours they arrived at the kindergarten.
The children were very happy, because they had been waiting for Grandfather Frost and had prepared well for the New Year: they decorated the tree, decorated the kindergarten, dressed up as fairy tale characters and forest animals, and learned poems.
Goodbye! — said Squirrel and Owl and began to prepare to go home.
Wait, don't go, stay with us. We're about to have fun and celebrate New Year.
And besides, there are enough gifts for everyone! — said Grandfather Frost.
And the friends stayed. And Grandfather Frost and Bunny became such good friends that from then on, on New Year postcards and pictures in books, Grandfather Frost is always drawn together with Bunny, who became his best friend and indispensable helper.
