December had arrived, and that night brought plenty of snow, a reminder of the approaching New Year. Mum, as always, came into the children's bedroom in the morning, and with a familiar gesture pulled off the next day from the calendar hanging on the wall near the door, then began waking up her daughters Lisa and Dasha.
Girls!
Said Mum.
Wake up, or you'll be late for school.
Lisa, the older sister who was already in third year, jumped out of bed and ran to the window.
Dasha, get up! Look how much snow has fallen!
Mum, is New Year coming soon?
Asked first-year student Dasha.
It's already the 10th of December on the calendar, and there aren't many days left until the New Year holidays.
Mum answered the girls, and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
The girls washed up, had breakfast, then got dressed. Mum walked Lisa and Dasha to school, then went to work herself. And in the evening, as always, the whole family gathered for dinner.
Mum, can you imagine! Today Olga Nikolayevna told us in Environmental Studies that trees are alive, and that even small damage causes them pain!
Said little Dasha
So what does that mean? Even the Christmas tree that we decorate suffers from this every year?
Yes, trees are indeed alive
Answered Mum Ira
They breathe, drink water, and can even get sick like people.
What should we do then! I really don't want anyone to be sad and suffering while we're having fun!
Lisa joined the conversation.
But if we don't have a Christmas tree, then the holiday won't come, and Father Frost won't visit us.
The younger sister burst into tears.
And Lisa began to feel sad too
Dasha and I started making decorations for the tree, we wanted it to be the most beautiful one we've ever had this year. And so Father Frost would bring us the best presents.
Sighed the older sister.
Then Dad Kostya came into the kitchen.
Why are my girls so sad?
He asked.
Such a wonderful day, so much snow has fallen! Maybe we could all go to the sledding hill together as a family this weekend?
Mum told Dad Kostya everything, and he said encouragingly.
You know, I feel sorry for the real Christmas trees every year too. They need so much strength and time to grow, and people cut them all down in just a few days. Tell you what, let's go to the shops tomorrow. I saw today they've brought in lots of artificial trees, and we'll choose the most beautiful and fluffy one that won't be any different from a real one! And Father Frost will be happy that one more tree will be left in the forest. And he'll bring you the very best presents.
And that's what they did. They bought a tree that reached right to the ceiling, decorated it with homemade ornaments, hung up fairy lights, and the New Year beauty sparkled with colourful lights. No one even noticed it was artificial.
