In a large green forest, a small fluffy little fir tree was born. It grew among other trees and every year watched as their leaves turned all the colours of the rainbow in autumn, and fell away in winter, leaving a light white snow on the branches. But what the little fir tree loved most was when spring came and small tender buds appeared on the trees, from which young green leaves sprouted.
And she, the little fir tree, was green both in winter and summer. But the little fir tree didn't envy the other trees, because they had never been to a New Year's celebration, but Grandfather Frost always took her—green, fluffy, and dressed up—to the celebration with him.
Frost wraps the little fir tree in snow and tucks her in to sleep. He speaks to her tenderly:
Sleep, little fir tree, bye-bye.
And the Blizzard sings lullabies:
Sleep, little fir tree, my dear, mind you don't freeze!
The little fir tree loves Frost and the Blizzard for their care and kindness.
One day before New Year's, Grandfather Frost says to the little fir tree:
Little fir tree, beauty, tomorrow the children are having a celebration, and you'll come to it dressed up and beautiful. We'll decorate you with colourful baubles and hang beautiful beads on you. But you need to rest well today and get a good sleep.
Alright, Grandfather Frost, I'll go to bed early, and tomorrow I'll be the most beautiful at the celebration and make the children happy!
Evening came. Just as the little fir tree decided to cover herself with snow and go to sleep, a little grey bunny ran past and asked her:
Green little fir tree, why are you going to bed so early? Let's play! I'll hop around you, and you try to catch me with your branches.
Oh, little bunny, I'd love to play with you, but I promised Grandfather Frost that I'd rest early—tomorrow there's a celebration at the kindergarten, and I need to get some sleep.
It's alright, then I'll just run and play around you while you rest.
Alright, but please don't make too much noise, little bunny.
And so they agreed. As soon as the little fir tree closed her eyes and sleep came to her, she heard the bunny hopping and singing songs. She didn't manage to get any sleep while the bunny was there until he got tired and went home.
The bunny ran away, and the little fir tree was just about to doze off when she heard an angry wolf running past with a fox:
You cunning fox, you'll dance to my tune yet! — growls the wolf.
What's wrong, grey one, I don't understand why you're so angry with me? — answers the trickster.
You don't understand? Then who sent me after the bunny on a false trail? — says the wolf louder, trying to grab the fox by the tail.
Forgive me, grey one, I have to eat too! Ow! — squealed the trickster when the wolf came a bit closer to her.
Could you please be a bit quieter, — the little fir tree spoke up, — I need to get a good sleep before tomorrow, and you're keeping me awake.
Oh, sorry, little fir tree, it's all the wolf's fault! — said the fox, and taking advantage of the pause, she ran away.
I'll catch you! — cried the wolf and ran after her.
The little fir tree tried to fall asleep again, but heard footsteps nearby. It was a man coming with an axe over his shoulder. It looked like he wanted to chop down the little fir tree right to the root. The green tree got frightened and cried out to him:
Don't chop me down, man, Grandfather Frost promised to take me to the celebration tomorrow.
Little fir tree, little fir tree, you're so beautiful, I'd love to take you home with me!
But I'm supposed to appear at the celebration tomorrow, or the children will be upset!
Alright then, I'll go home and buy an artificial tree.
And please don't make noise here, I need to get some sleep.
The man with the axe left, but the little fir tree still couldn't fall asleep. A woodpecker decided to make a hole in a nearby tree, then a strong wind started to howl songs. It wasn't until morning that the beauty managed to doze off a bit, and she honestly told Grandfather Frost:
Grandfather, I didn't sleep all night, I was worried, but I'll still go to the celebration—I can't let the children down.
Thank you, my dear, I hope you'll get some sleep next year, but now it's time to get dressed up!
And the little fir tree became even more beautiful. She put on her festive decorations and went to the celebration with grandfather. And she brought so much joy to the children!
