Winter turned out harsh and snowy. Heavy clouds stretched right over the treetops and seemed almost to touch them. Rare rays of sunlight barely pierced through the clouds, and then you could see that down there far below, amongst the trees and shrubs, someone was there and something was bustling about and moving.
All of this was observed with great interest by a lonely little snowflake who, amongst a circle of fluffy mates just like herself, merrily fluttered amongst the clouds and cloudlets. But whilst her mates, laughing heartily, tried to catch one another in gusts of cold wind and attempted to fluff up their patterns even more, the Little Snowflake kept glancing downward and kept thinking about what was down there, who was running about between the trees and bushes, who was sparkling on the meadows and near the frozen river?
She was terribly curious, as she couldn't even imagine that life existed anywhere else besides here—amongst the clouds in the reflections of sunbeams.
Oi, Snowflake, come on with us!
Fluffy Snowflake called out and waved her magnificent little needles.
Nah, Fluffy, I don't want to. I want to go down there, below.
The Little Snowflake replied and winked toward the forest, which spread its sprawling green arms covered in snow.
Oh, what are you on about? There's no one down there, and besides, it's fun and interesting up here. Look how merrily we flutter, spin, and have a good time.
Fluffy Snowflake called out cheerfully.
Well, if you don't want to—your choice, but we're off!
She spun around in a snowy-airy dance with the other snowflakes fluttering between the clouds.
The Little Snowflake, meanwhile, had made up her mind completely to check out what was down below and began gradually and cautiously to descend.
Who's this breaking away from the group?
The Snowflake heard a loud and booming call from somewhere to the side.
The Snowflake got a fright and trembled unexpectedly in the gusts of wind. Flipping over in an updraft, she spotted not far from herself a magnificent eagle who soared in the sky like a great airship, fiercely surveying his heavenly domain and checking whether anyone had disturbed his peace.
Me, me... I just want to find out what's down there, who's bustling about, and well...
From fright, she completely lost her composure and didn't know what to say.
Well, you're a silly little thing. What could possibly be interesting down there? Up here's where it's at—freedom! Fly wherever you want, catch daydreaming crows, and enjoy life.
The eagle snorted, stretching his strong and beautiful wings with pleasure under the powerful gusts of harsh wind.
That's true, but still, I'm curious—what's down there?
The Little Snowflake agreed, watching as the wind tossed the eagle about and enveloped him in its gusts.
Well, alright, your choice, but I've got to go hunting.
The eagle reluctantly agreed and, catching another gust of wind, powerfully wheeled around and shot off somewhere between the clouds in search of his next meal.
The Little Snowflake watched him go with a half-frightened gaze and continued spinning downward, descending lower and lower. She'd barely recovered from her encounter with the heavenly beauty when she was surrounded by a flock of young crows who began racing past her like mad things, cawing loudly.
Look, a snowflake, a silly snowflake! Where are you flying? Where are you falling?
The crows cawed loudly, shouting over the gusts of wind.
Why silly? I want to find out what's down below!
The Little Snowflake protested.
There's nothing interesting down there, just forest and acorns mixed with fallen leaves!
That's all?
The Snowflake asked disappointedly.
She'd so hoped that there was still something down there that had been beckoning and attracting her throughout her fleeting life amongst the dark clouds and winds.
Oh, forget about you—we want to play and fly!
One of the loudest crows exclaimed, after which she cawed loudly, and the noisy mob, overtaking and tugging each other by tail and wing, flew off somewhere between the branches of the now-approaching forest.
The forest was already close; the first youngest branches had appeared, the wind began to die down, and forest silence replaced the turbulent gusts. The Little Snowflake descended lower and lower, mesmerised, watching with interest the increasingly mighty and beautiful snow-covered branches of the forest giants.
She became so absorbed in observing everything she was seeing for the first time that she didn't notice how quietly she settled onto the snow cover. And it turned out she wasn't alone here: there were many other snowflakes who, falling one beside another, had created a truly fluffy and soft blanket. The snow cover, following the contours of the forest clearing, concealed small shrubs, almost covered little trees, and stretched far into the distance.
G'day!
The Little Snowflake said, turning to all her neighbours.
Hello, mate!
A low and rich voice responded nearby.
The Little Snowflake turned around and saw a beautiful large beauty—an Icy Snowflake.
Lovely to see you in our mob!
Came a voice from another direction. This was the Pink Snowflake speaking, who was hanging on a twig of a blueberry bush.
Oh, how bonzer!
Was heard from yet another direction, and this turned out to be the voice of a young tree branch that was holding several snowflakes and a small icicle at once.
From there, the conversation between the snowflakes, the branch, and the icicle became merrier and more interesting. The Little Snowflake was so chuffed that she'd found new mates. Her worries that her dream would remain unfulfilled turned out to be needless. The new friends quickly warmed to the Snowflake, heard with interest the story about the magnificent eagle and the flock of noisy crows, and also began asking the new guest about what it was like up above.
Never before had the Little Snowflake been the centre of attention like this; everything was interesting to her: the new friends, the captivating silence, and the deep peace of the forest blanket. She happily told them about everything she knew. Her mood was brilliant. Now she wouldn't be alone—new mates were always nearby.
From this, the Little Snowflake began to sparkle even more; her soul was filled with joy and merriment, she wanted to spin and play. But ahead of her lay new adventures that the Little Snowflake didn't yet suspect; discoveries and even greater wonder awaited her. However, that's for the next tale. The continuation of the Little Snowflake's adventures follows...
