February turned out to be sunny and snowy. The weather was good and frosty. Three mates—Vova, Tolya and Pashka—gathered as usual on the icy hill.
Vova is the oldest in the group. He's in year five, gets straight A's and does various sports. Second-grader Tolya is the cheeriest and most active: never sits still and always wins at games. The moment someone gets distracted—Tolya's there. Pashka is the youngest. He doesn't even go to school yet, but he tries to keep up with the older lads! You wouldn't want to put your finger near his mouth—he'd bite it off.
One day the boys decided to find out who was strongest.
Mates, the holiday's coming soon—23 February. Time to find out who among us is a true man, Vova announced solemnly.
But what does 'a true man' mean? Pashka decided to ask his mate.
I know! It's someone who's faster, taller and stronger than everyone else! Tolya shouted out.
Yeah, that's right! Vova confirmed.
But what's there to figure out? You're the tallest, Vova, you're the oldest after all, Pashka grumbled indignantly.
And I'm the fastest! I always win at chase games, no one can hide from me! Tolya announced happily.
So that makes me the strongest? Pashka asked doubtfully, well, by process of elimination.
Vova laughed and nodded. He knew Tolya had no equal at chase games, but he couldn't believe that little Pashka was the strongest. Tolya laughed too.
What are you laughing at? Pashka asked the lads.
Pash, do you really think you're stronger than me and Tolya? Vova asked his mate, laughing.
I do! Otherwise it's not fair! Am I not a true man then?
Alright, enough chatting, let's test it! Tolya suggested.
How are we going to test it? Pashka asked warily. He understood himself that it wouldn't be easy to beat the lads in strength.
Here's what I suggest: we roll a huge snowball together, then one by one we'll try to move it from its spot. Whoever manages it is the strongest, Vova proposed.
I'm in! Pashka exclaimed. Tolya agreed too.
The lads got to work. They rolled the snowball for a long time, and it turned out big and heavy. The three of them barely managed to push it to the middle of the clearing. Then they started trying one by one to move it from its spot.
Pashka, being the youngest, got to try first. He threw all his weight against the snowball, which was taller than him by half a head. The ball didn't budge. Pashka looked at the lads disappointedly, and they smiled. The boy, trying to hide his hurt, walked away and sat on a bench.
Now it was Tolya's turn. The boy turned his back to the ball and braced his feet in the snow. He threw all his weight against the snow mass—he couldn't move it at all. Tolya wasn't too upset, but decided to support Pashka and sat next to him.
Vova stood by the enormous snowball. If he could move it—victory! That would mean he wasn't just the tallest, but also the strongest, and therefore a true man!
Without doubting his strength, Vova smiled and pushed the ball with one hand. Nothing. Vova didn't lose his nerve, braced his hands against the ball and his feet in the snow and tried again. Another failure!
The oldest of the lads couldn't move the snowball either! Everyone burst out laughing, and Vova turned red.
You know, this is a silly argument. Nobody won! Let's go sledding instead! he said.
Let's! I'm going first! Pashka, are you coming with us? Tolya called out happily.
No, I don't want to, Pasha's voice was unusually sad.
Fine then! Sit and sulk while we go play, Vova said to him, and he and Tolya headed for the hill.
But Pashka had no intention of sitting idle and pouting. He had a fighting spirit. He got up from the bench and walked with determination towards the snowball. He spent a lot of time trying to move the massive thing, but it was all in vain. What could he do? Did that mean he wasn't a man, not a defender? No!
Out of frustration with himself and the lads, Pashka decided on a risky move. He stepped back from the snowball and ran at it with all his might, jumping on top of it.
It worked! The ball shifted under Pashka's weight. Pashka himself, of course, flew face-first into the snow, but that didn't bother him much. He jumped right up, brushed off the clinging snow and ran after the lads.
Vova! Tolya! It worked! I'm the strongest, I moved it! he shouted to the lads, who were chatting by the icy hill.
No way! Vova answered.
I don't believe it! Tolya exclaimed.
Then come and see for yourselves! And if you don't believe me, go get Tanya over there, she'll tell you if the ball moved or not.
That's a good idea. Tanya, will you come with us? Vova asked the girl in the red jacket who had just slid down the hill and come over to the lads.
I will, but what do I need to do? she answered in a clear voice.
Testify to the movement of the snowball, Tolya chuckled, and the lads ran after Pashka to the snow contraption.
Pashka was glowing with happiness. He took Tanya's hand and led her straight to the ball. The girl carefully examined the trampled snow, but she still had doubts.
How did you manage that? she asked Pashka, squinting.
Secret! he said curtly. The last thing he needed was for the lads to be able to repeat his record.
Did someone help you? Vova asked, coming closer and putting his arm around his mate's shoulders.
I did it myself, do you believe me? Pashka answered, looking him straight in the eye.
You give me your word as a true man? Vova asked.
I do! Pashka exclaimed right away, and his cheeks turned red with embarrassment.
So, what will the snow commission say? joked cheerful Tolya, coming up to the lads, Tatiana, it's your decision, what do you think?
I think your games are silly! But Pashka's telling the truth, he wouldn't lie to his mates. And you can see from the snow that the ball has moved.
Pashka jumped up and down with joy. Tolya and Vova joined in.
Hooray! Now I'm a defender too, just like you!
So you've got a holiday coming up too, Tanya said, boys, I've got presents for you.
For all of us? the mates asked in unison.
For all of you! the girl said with a sly smile and, quickly making a snowball, threw it right at Tolya's forehead.
Ah, so those are your presents! Attack! Vova commanded, and the lads rushed into battle. Pashka, though, defended Tanya. After all, she had helped him prove to the lads that he really had moved the ball.
He never told anyone how he managed it. But he always remembered that the winner isn't the one who's the strongest, but the one who sees things through to the end!
