My name is Snowy, and I'm a snowflake. I was born high up in the sky, in a big winter cloud. My cloud mother told us snowflake sisters that soon the time would come when we'd have to fly down to the earth. This is called the first snow. The hardest part is choosing where to land.
You must think very carefully about where you want to end up, my cloud mother told us. When the time comes, you'll spin in the wind and fly downwards.
I want to land in the forest! said my youngest sister. I've heard there are beautiful fluffy pine trees there, and our sisters gather on their soft branches like soft white winter hats. And under the little trees there are always big snowdrifts.
And I want to land near a big beautiful lake, said my older sister.
What's interesting about a winter lake? I wondered why anyone would want to fall near frozen water.
They say winter lakes are very beautiful. Sometimes the water doesn't freeze completely, and under the ice you can see peculiar little fish swimming. I really want to see them.
Cloud mother, can I not fall to the earth as the first snow? I really didn't want to leave home, especially since I couldn't figure out where I'd want to go.
How can that be, Snowy? All your sisters have already decided where they'll fly, and you want to stay? That's impossible. Snowflakes are born in the sky so that one day they'll fall. That's how nature works.
So I'll fall even if I don't know where I'm going? I asked my cloud mother.
Of course. Simply, if you don't decide, the wind will catch you and carry you to unknown lands.
So be it then. I've decided – I'll fly down wherever my eyes take me, and let the wind decide where I'll end up. Days passed, and there were more and more snowflakes. My cloud mother was already struggling to carry us across the sky. My sisters kept asking me if I'd changed my mind about flying down without knowing the way. Some laughed behind my back, others genuinely wished me luck, and some were envious of my courage. I was a bit scared myself, but at the same time, I knew that the wind was our friend and would definitely carry me to a good place.
Time went on, and the air became frostier each day. The time of the first snow had come. As soon as the sun's rays appeared over the earth, my cloud mother told us snowflake children that it was time to set off. The snowflakes hugged each other goodbye and rushed downwards with bright laughter. Some flew in pairs, some alone, all spinning joyfully in a snowy dance, shimmering in the sun. I hesitated, very curious about where the wind would take me, and I decided to ask it:
My friend, little Breeze, where do you want to take me?
Snowy, today we'll fly over a small town where many people live. You can choose any place to fall – on a house roof or on the road, or maybe you'd like to meet someone from the town. Believe me, everyone will be happy to see the first snow.
The breeze's words calmed me, and I made up my mind. Closing my eyes, I fell. At first, from fear I couldn't breathe, but soon the fear turned into the joy of flying. What an unusual feeling – to fly into the unknown, spinning in the wind currents. I saw how my sisters were already approaching the earth. When I flew over the forest, they happily greeted me. Some had already fallen and were now resting on soft snowy drifts.
But the wind carried me further and further. We flew over the lake where fish lived, and my sisters greeted me joyfully there too. I closed my eyes and let myself simply rush forward, not thinking about where I was meant to land.
After some time, I felt the wind gradually becoming quieter and not pushing me so forcefully. When I opened my eyes to see what we were flying over, I was amazed. I saw a shining city decorated with glowing Christmas lights. It turned out that while I'd been flying, dusk had already begun on the street.
Bright garlands decorated all the houses in the city. They sparkled and shimmered. On the windows, I noticed Christmas snow patterns, and sometimes among the decorations I could see paper snowflakes. But for some reason, I didn't want to fall somewhere on the street or on a house roof. I wanted to see people up close, so I asked the little breeze to carry me somewhere where I could see them better.
I know just the place you'll love, whispered the breeze to me.
Then let's fly there quickly! I answered.
The breeze was already tired from the long flight, so it only gently swirled me as we flew towards the people. Finally, I saw many little children playing on a playground shaped like a fairy-tale castle. A little boy in a green jacket was trying to catch falling snow in his mouth, and I got scared. I didn't want to be eaten – that wasn't what I'd travelled so far for.
Breeze, please don't carry me to that boy, I asked the wind with all my might.
Snowy, I'm very tired and can't fly any further. You'll have to choose where to land and fly there yourself. I've brought you to the people as you wanted, and now I must go, the breeze said to me quietly in a tired voice.
Of course, friend, thank you for giving me such an incredible adventure. Give my regards to my cloud mother and tell her that everything is fine with me. I've landed among people, I said sadly as I said goodbye to the breeze.
Goodbye, Snowy, he said barely audibly.
The wind died down. Nothing was carrying me away anymore. I fell slowly, slowly, and could only move slightly to the right or left. I carefully studied the playground where I found myself. I was already far from the boy in the green jacket, so the danger of being eaten had passed. Suddenly, my attention was drawn to a girl who was spinning around herself, rejoicing in the snow.
I was so captivated by her sweet little face, which shone with a smile, and enchanted by her bright childish laughter, that I didn't notice how I'd flown too close. The girl held out her hand in a beautiful fluffy red mitten, and I fell on it without realising it.
Everyone, everyone, look at the wonderful snowflake I caught! she cried out.
Many children, both very small and older, crowded around her in colourful jackets. And I looked up at them from below.
Wow, I've never seen one so beautiful, said a boy in a yellow jacket. He reached out his hand and wanted to touch me, but the girl stopped him in time.
Don't touch it, or it'll melt! she told him.
She's so unusual. She must have come from far away, said an older girl.
I looked at the children and was happy that I'd landed right here. When everyone had gone, I said to the girl:
Hello, I'm Snowy!
Oh, you can talk? So you're not an ordinary snowflake, but a magical one? she said in surprise.
Yes, I only fall with the first snow, I answered her.
Wow! You're so beautiful!
Thank you. I didn't know where I wanted to land. But now I'm glad you caught me. I can grant you one wish. What do you want? I wanted to make the girl happy.
Oh, I don't even know…
Don't be shy, ask for anything you want, I encouraged her.
I want it to snow more often in winter! she said.
The girl's wish surprised me. But I'd promised to grant her anything she wanted. So it would be.
I'll grant your wish, but close your eyes and think very hard about it, I told the girl.
When the girl opened her eyes, the snowflake on the red mitten was gone. In its place was a small wet spot. "I didn't even say goodbye!" she thought and said aloud:
Goodbye Snowy, I was happy to see you.
Bye-bye, came the familiar voice in reply.
And that winter was the snowiest one in a long time.
