Sasha was a boy who really didn't like winter. The cold wind and snow that pierced right through him were far less appealing than the warm autumn breeze and hot sunny rays. Sasha had an older brother named Igor and a younger sister named Tanya. They loved winter—it was their favourite time of year.
I don't know what you lot see in this winter—the cold, the snow, slippery ice—you'll end up hurting yourself, Sasha complained once again.
Aw, Sash, Sash, instead of complaining, why don't you come out and play with us? We'll have a snowball fight and you'll see for yourself, Igor replied, putting on his warm beanie and gloves before heading outside.
No thanks, I'd rather stay home! Sasha laughed.
Igor didn't try to convince him—he knew it was pointless anyway. He was much more eager to get outside where Tanya was waiting for him.
Of course, Sasha would have liked to go outside and play with his brother and sister, but he absolutely hated the cold. So, as always, he stayed home, made himself a big mug of hot tea, and sat by the window. Outside below, a full-on snowball fight was already underway. Igor and Tanya had been joined by other kids from the neighbourhood, and they seemed to be having a brilliant time. Soft snowflakes fell quietly, and Sasha pressed his head against the glass. He got so absorbed in his tea that he dozed off without realising it.
When Sasha opened his eyes, he was surprised to find himself not at home. More than that, he was outside in the middle of a huge snowy field, and in the distance, he could see tall snow gates. Sasha looked around and spotted a small snowman beside him. He was quite amusing—with eyes made of black buttons and a carrot for a nose. On his head sat a red basin instead of a hat. The boy studied the peculiar snow figure carefully.
What are you staring at? the snowman suddenly spoke.
Oh, sorry, I didn't know you were alive. My name's Sasha, the boy replied in surprise.
G'day, Sasha, I'm the Snowman. I'm here to guide you to the world where Winter Queen lives, the snowman slightly lifted the basin on his head as a greeting.
Wow, I'd really like to meet her. But to be honest, I don't like winter, Sasha said truthfully, as he didn't like to lie.
What? That can't be right! I don't believe it! the snowman exclaimed, clearly surprised and upset.
Sasha felt awkward for upsetting his new acquaintance, and he realised it would be rude to refuse a journey to the winter kingdom. Besides, he was really keen to see a real queen in person. His brother and sister would be jealous when he told them about it.
Look, Snowman, if I've offended you, I'd be happy to go with you to the winter world. I just don't know how to behave or what to do in winter, the boy decided to do everything properly.
Don't worry, I'll help you, the snowman perked up noticeably, pleased to help the boy.
Where do we start? Sasha asked eagerly, keen to begin his adventure.
First, we need to get you properly dressed, or you'll get frostbite before we even reach the queen. In winter, you need to prepare well before going outside. You should wear plenty of layers, especially when it's as cold as it is now, the snowman said importantly.
Do I have to? I'll look like a cabbage! Sasha protested. Although he didn't like the cold, he didn't want to wear a hundred layers all at once.
Of course you do—you want to enjoy your walk, not freeze. Look, it's simple: your first layer should fit snugly against your skin, the snowman stomped his foot and warm thermal underwear appeared on Sasha. We'll replace cotton clothes with wool ones, because cotton takes ages to dry if you sweat during games, and we'll definitely be playing in the winter kingdom, the snowman stomped again and a warm woollen jumper appeared under the puffer jacket.
Oh, that's much warmer, thanks! Sasha was pleased—he finally felt warm despite being outside.
Right, now we can move on! said the Snowman, satisfied with his work.
The Snowman and Sasha headed towards the gates. When they arrived, Sasha saw two more snowmen standing guard. They wore large woollen gloves on their hands. They greeted the visitors but didn't seem in a hurry to let them through.
Snowman, what do we have to do? Solve riddles or complete tasks? Sasha whispered to his companion.
What? Of course not! We need to have a bite to eat! said the snowman, licking his lips in anticipation.
Really? We need to eat? Why? Sasha was surprised again. He loved good food, and he was amazed that entering the kingdom was so simple.
Before entering the winter kingdom, you absolutely must eat something with plenty of calories. Don't you know that you burn more energy in the frost?
I didn't know that! the boy exclaimed again—everything the snowman said was a revelation to him.
The Snowman and Sasha happily enjoyed delicious cream cakes with berries. As Sasha finished his cake, he turned to the Snowman again:
But where's the tea? I'd love a hot drink!
Aw, Sash, you really don't know anything about winter. You can't drink hot drinks before going out in the frost—your blood vessels expand, which makes it easier to get hypothermia.
Crikey, thanks for the warning. Tell me, why do the snowmen wear gloves?
What do you mean why? In gloves, hands stay much warmer than in mittens. They hold the heat longer.
Well, it's good that I'm wearing mittens then! Sasha was pleased that he'd at least got something right on his adventure.
Finally, the gates opened, and the Snowman and Sasha entered the winter kingdom. Tall trees stood on either side of the roads, covered in snow. Colourful fairy lights sparkled everywhere, and Christmas baubles grew on bushes like berries. Boys, girls, snowmen, squirrels, and other forest animals walked through the snowdrifts. Sasha thought it strange that they all walked with their legs spread wide apart, their knees slightly bent. Everyone walked leaning slightly forward, moving in small sliding steps.
Snowman, why is everyone walking so strangely?
That's the best way not to slip on the ice, look, it's easy! the snowman began moving like everyone else around him. The main thing is to step on your whole sole, not just your toes, and you won't fall!
Sasha tried walking with his legs spread wide, and at first it worked, but then he started to slip and the snowman barely caught him.
Sash, get your hands out of your pockets! That's very dangerous—if you start to fall, you won't be able to help yourself, and I won't always be around.
Thanks, Snowman, for catching me. So where do we go now? How do we get to the queen?
There's her palace, look—we just need to cross the road!
Sasha rushed across the road and barely managed to stop before a passing car.
What are you doing, Sash! Have you gone mad? Never cross the road without checking the situation first. In rain, snow, and icy conditions, a car's stopping distance increases several times over. It might seem far away to you, but it's coming closer all the time, and it won't be able to stop quickly enough. You need to let cars pass that won't stop on their own.
I thought I'd make it. I'm just so keen to see the Winter Queen! Let's hurry!
You need to be very careful in places where cars brake and stop. Even if you manage to dash across, small stones or worse—ice shards—can suddenly fly out from under the wheels. And you never know what's hidden under the slush. What if there are potholes or ruts? If the driver spots them at the last moment, they might try to swerve, and the car could skid.
I understand, sorry Snowman. Without you, I'd be completely lost in this kingdom.
They carefully crossed the road and found themselves at the palace gates.
Well, from here on, you're on your own. I've helped you as much as I can. Good luck meeting the queen, said the snowman as he said goodbye.
Aren't you coming with me?
No, Sasha, I can't—I'd melt inside the palace. But you'll make friends with the queen, I'm sure of it.
Sasha said goodbye to the snowman and thanked him once more. As soon as he opened the palace doors, he woke up.
He was sitting by the window, and outside below, the kids had finished their snowball fight and building castles. Now they were making funny snowmen. Sasha looked more carefully and spotted that very snowman with the red basin on his head instead of a hat. And nearby were two others wearing warm mittens. "Was it just a dream?" the boy thought sadly. But suddenly he noticed the snowman seemed to wave at him.
Then Sasha understood that he really had visited a magical land, and now he knew how to behave in winter. He decided that next time he would definitely go for a walk with his brother and sister, but he wouldn't tell them about his adventure—it would be his big winter secret.
