A hare bounded beneath the evergreen tree.
«Nearly midnight," the wolf said with glee.
Though winter had wrapped everything tight in the freeze,
Everyone wondered: "Will Father Frost come, if you please?"
A fox came rushing to the green tree,
She heard all the forest creatures in harmony:
«What's happening here with you all, my dear friends?
Wolf, tell me truly, where does this all end?"
The wolf looked at the cunning fox with care:
"I don't quite understand your question there.
You've grown rather old, my friend, it appears,
Have you forgotten? It's winter, my dear."
The hedgehog explained it all to the fox:
«We celebrate New Year, the whole forest flock.
We wait for Father Frost together right here,
And we're calling to you to join us, my dear.
Grandfather comes to the tree once a year,
Wishing us all good health, far and near,
He brings us gifts and makes us all laugh,
And surprises us with his granddaughter's behalf.
First Grandfather hurries off to the town,
Then to the cities where fortune comes down,
And only then does he venture to the wood,
So wait patiently, fox, as you should."
Winter in the forest can be quite dreary and long.
The creatures all sigh, waiting for spring's song,
But on New Year's Eve, the forest's alive,
Beneath the green tree, the creatures all thrive.
Father Frost returns home by the break of day.
Of course he's exhausted, in every way.
He doesn't rest idle throughout all the year.
He prepares all the gifts for his annual cheer.
