Crumbly and New Year

Crumbly the little mouse lived in a small burrow with his mum, Grey Mouse. He was born on a hot summer's day, had never seen snow and didn't know what winter was like.

Mum Mouse often told him about how harsh and long winters could be, how difficult it was to find food because deep snowdrifts lay all around and there was nothing edible at all.

At the beginning of winter, lots and lots of snow fell. The whole forest was covered in a blanket of snow. The little mouse had never seen snow because he was very frightened to leave his burrow.

One day Mum was busy with her mouse errands in the forest, and when she returned to the burrow, she said:

How beautiful the forest is in winter! Snowflakes slowly twirl in a gentle waltz and quietly settle on the ground. And there are so many different tracks in the snow! It's fascinating! Would you like to see?

No, no, I'm scared!

Crumbly huddled in the corner of the burrow.

A bit more time passed, and Mum Grey Mouse said:

Soon there will be a big celebration! New Year will arrive. Crow Matrona has already decorated the Christmas tree at the forest edge. Father Frost will be travelling through the forest past our burrow.

Mummy, I really want to see Father Frost and the beautifully decorated tree. But I'm so scared!

Crumbly called out.

Father Frost is a real Kind Wizard, he gives everyone presents. You should ask him for something to help with your fear, so that you, Crumbly, finally stop being afraid….

On New Year's Eve, Mum Grey Mouse jumped out of her bed and started listening….

I can hear it — I can hear it, Father Frost is coming! How brightly the little bells ring on his sleigh harness!

Crumbly was so delighted that he forgot his fears and bravely jumped out onto the street from his burrow.

On the snowy forest edge he saw beautiful painted sleighs pulled by three snow-white reindeer. In the sleigh sat a giant — Father Frost with a white beard and wearing a red coat. In his right hand he held a staff, and in his left hand a large sack.

The Wizard had a very kind face, and noticing the tiny little mouse, he winked, took a present from his sack and threw him a small glittering box as he passed. Father Frost was in a great hurry, and the sleigh with the reindeer quickly disappeared into the snowy forest.

Crumbly looked around: the snow sparkled in the moonlight, there were tracks of different animals everywhere, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree stood at the forest edge and shone with bright lights. All around was such beauty and not scary at all!!!!

Mum, Mum, Father Frost really is the Kindest Wizard in the whole world! He gave me a present!

Crumbly cried out happily, running back into his cosy burrow.

And winter isn't scary at all! And Father Frost brought New Year to everyone!

Mum Grey Mouse gently kissed her beloved little son on his shiny black nose, tenderly hugged him with her paws and Crumbly fell asleep. He had a very kind dream.

From that day on, the little mouse wasn't frightened of winter at all, he was delighted by the white snow, he looked at snowflakes and animal tracks at the forest edge.

What do you think, what present did Father Frost give to Crumbly? What was in the glittering box?