Many know that Grandfather Frost lives in the city of Veliky Ustyug, one of the most ancient cities in the Russian North. All year long Grandfather works tirelessly: carefully reads letters, approves gift lists and manages his elf helpers.
Anyone who wishes can write a letter to Grandfather Frost, and he will definitely reply. All letters arrive at the post office through a magical winter mail line. It is located in the very centre of Veliky Ustyug.
The helper elves sort, receive and process letters every day. Some children send Grandfather Frost postcards and parcels. The post office is always bustling with activity, because letters to Grandfather arrive not only from Russia, but from all over the world. Sometimes they are written not only by children, but by adults too!
Grandfather Frost loves reading letters very much. Every letter is special to him. First, he carefully examines the envelope in which the letter lies. Red, green, with various patterns — so many beautiful neat envelopes always lie on his desk. And the most unusual and carefully made ones, Grandfather puts in a frame and hangs on the walls. How many pleasant words Grandfather reads in the letters! Children and adults share with him their most cherished dreams and wishes, joys and sorrows.
When Grandfather Frost gets tired of reading letters himself, he asks his postal elf helpers to read the letters aloud. Here are some of them:
"Dear Grandfather Frost! I'm sorry that you don't have a Grandmother Frost!"
The letter from little girl Dasha pleased Grandfather, he laughed heartily, because Grandmother Frost certainly exists, she just doesn't like to show herself in public, doesn't want fame. Grandmother Frost is in charge of the house, she looks after all the household and oversees the production of Christmas decorations.
"Dear Grandfather Frost! I congratulate you and your helpers with the NEW YEAR. I'm Ira and I'm 4 years old. Please give me a sponge"
That's quite a wish from little girl Ira. Grandfather Frost is used to children asking for a puppy or kitten, as well as a doll or toy car. But no one has ever asked for a sponge before. Of course, it's no trouble for Grandfather Frost to give Ira a sponge, the most beautiful sponge in the world!
"Hello Grandfather Frost! I want to ask you. Where do you live? I know that you bring good gifts to good children, but what do you bring to bad ones? Waiting for your answer. Masha"
What a businesslike girl Masha is! Grandfather Frost will definitely reply to her. Surely she doesn't know yet that Grandfather Frost lives in the city of Veliky Ustyug? Masha is right, Grandfather brings good gifts to good children, but to bad ones? Good gifts too! Because Grandfather Frost believes that there are no bad children, all children are good in their own way. Some sometimes misbehave, but Grandfather brings them gifts too, because little rascals always improve!
"Ded Maros. Dashtku padari kakudashi"
Here Grandfather needed a wise translator elf to translate from the children's language. Many children write with mistakes, but that's alright. The translator always does an excellent job and all letters eventually get deciphered. Grandfather understood that the girl wanted a Horse, like her friend's. He instructed the elf to find out what kind of horse the girl Dasha has and pass the order to Grandmother Frost.
The last letter for today read:
"Dear Grandfather Frost,
I want you to decide
What to give me
Because I DON'T KNOW!?! "
Now that's something! What a responsibility the little boy entrusted to Grandfather Frost. He immediately instructed the scout elf to find out everything about this boy so he could pick a gift that he would definitely like.
When Grandfather Frost finishes work, the elves carefully arrange the letters on tall shelves reaching to the ceiling, stick colourful stamps on each envelope and put a magical seal.
Without the helper elves, the post office couldn't work. They do everything under the sun. And if tourists happen to come to the post office, they greet them with joy, conduct tours and read Grandfather Frost's favourite letters. And if a letter gets lost on the way, the search elves set out to find it, and every envelope eventually ends up on Grandfather Frost's desk.
And if you want Grandfather Frost himself to read your letter, and of course reply to it, write to him! Do write, he loves reading them very much. And every letter will get a reply, even if you have to wait a little, because there are so many people wanting to send greetings to the Wizard!
