From early morning the winter house was in a flutter: the snowflakes were getting ready for an airy dance. Each white beauty could perform this dance only once!
Oh, this is so exciting! I can't wait to whirl around in the dance!
And what happens afterwards? asked the smallest snowflake. What happens then?
What happens, what happens... You and your strange questions! Who cares! Go and learn the dance instead!' her sisters replied crossly.
The little snowflake just sighed. She always asked so many questions. But what's the point of asking if there are no answers? Well, in a couple of minutes she would be twirling in her first dance and would find out everything!
And then the snowy hour arrived! The snowflake, together with her little sisters, floated out of the house and was swept up in the airy current of the dance.
The little ones tried so hard! Like white moths drawn to a flame, the snowflakes whirled and whirled. Many settled on rooftops, some on the trees, but our little one decided to float all the way down to the ground.
The ground was so dark, with no snow at all, only a few patches of green grass poking through, and she longed to see it up close. Of course, the snowflake did not know that Lady Spring was already ruling the streets, and that she and her sisters were only unexpected guests.
It was almost time to land. Nimbly dodging a grumpy passer-by, the little one decided to settle on the roof of a bird feeder. She did not have her proud solitude for long. A zippy sparrow had flown in for breakfast and spotted the snowflake.
Well, what are you doing here? said the little sparrow crossly. This is my café, you know!
Well, for starters, hello! And secondly, this is a feeder for all the birds, and there's certainly no rule that stops snowflakes from resting on it! The guest said all this with a smile. Although she was the smallest in her family, she had done a lot of reading and knew everything about feeders and birds.
Well, suit yourself, chirped the sparrow, hiding his annoyance and hurt, and added with indifference, rest up, you'll fall asleep soon anyway!
I'll fall asleep? asked the snowflake. What happens next?
Nothing! You'll melt, that's all! For good! The sparrow flapped his wings and flew away.
The little snowflake felt so sad that, if she could, she would have cried.
What's making you sad, little one? came a gentle voice. It was like a soft melody that seeped into every fibre of her being.
It was Lady Spring.
I don't want to melt away for good, said the snowflake sadly.
What's wrong, little one? Who frightened you like this? I think I know, said Spring, and she called the sparrow sternly, Chip, come here! You're at your old tricks again!
Beside Spring appeared the very same sparrow who had frightened the snowflake. He looked guilty.
Dear Spring, I'm sorry, of course, but she simply didn't understand, and I didn't get the chance to explain. She panicked straight away, the silly thing, the sparrow chirped, and turning to the snowflake, apologised. Sorry, I never thought I'd scare you!
So what's going to happen to me?
You'll find out for yourself soon enough. Drop down to the ground and have a little sleep, Spring smiled.
And I won't disappear for good? asked the snowflake nervously.
No, don't be afraid, everything will be fine. I'll be right here and sing you a lullaby so you can fall asleep and gather your strength.
Spring's enchanting song was everywhere. It wrapped around everything like mist, and the little snowflake, like hundreds of her sisters, forgot all her worries and fell into a sweet sleep.
A couple of days later a tiny blue flower opened its eyes. All around it, other little flowers were waking up too. The sun kissed them right on the top of their heads, warming them carefully: let the little ones gather strength!
The flower smiled:
Now I'm definitely not going to melt! Thank you, Spring!
