From early morning the winter house was restless: the snowflakes were getting ready for an airy dance. Each white beauty could perform such a dance only once!
Oh, it's so exciting! How I long to whirl into the dance already!
And what will happen afterward? asked the smallest snowflake. What will happen?
What will happen, what will happen... You're always asking your strange questions! What difference does it make? Go and learn the dance instead! her sisters replied crossly.
The smallest snowflake only sighed. She always asked a lot of questions. But what good are they if there are no answers? Well, in a couple of minutes she would whirl in her first dance and find everything out!
And then the snowy hour arrived! The snowflake, together with her little sisters, stepped out of the house and found herself in the airy current of the dance.
Oh, how the little ones tried! Like white moths drawn to a flame, the snowflakes whirled and whirled. Many settled on rooftops, some on trees, but our little one decided to fly all the way down to the ground.
The ground was so black, with no snow at all, only green grass poking through here and there, and she longed to take a closer look at it. Of course, the snowflake did not know that beautiful spring already reigned in the streets, and that she and her sisters were unexpected guests.
Soon it was time to land. Nimbly darting past a grumpy passerby, the little one decided to settle on the roof of a bird feeder. She did not have to enjoy her proud solitude for long. A zippy sparrow flew in for breakfast and spotted the snowflake.
Well, what are we doing here? the sparrow asked crossly. This is my dining room, you know!
Well, first of all, hello! And second, this is a feeder for all birds, and there is certainly no rule against snowflakes resting on it! the guest said all this with a smile. Although she was the smallest in the family, she had read a lot and knew everything about feeders and birds.
Well, suit yourself, chirped the sparrow, hiding his displeasure and hurt, and added indifferently, rest away, you'll fall asleep soon anyway!
I'll fall asleep? the snowflake asked again. And what happens next?
Nothing! You'll melt, that's all! Forever! The sparrow flapped his little wings and flew off.
The little snowflake felt so sad that, if she could, she would have cried.
What's making you sad, little one? came a tender voice. It was like a soft melody that seeped into every little part of her.
It was Lady Spring.
I don't want to melt away forever, the snowflake said sadly.
What is it, little one? Who frightened you like this? I think I know, said Spring, and she sternly called the sparrow, Chick, come here! You're back to your old tricks!
Beside Spring appeared the very same sparrow who had frightened the snowflake. He looked guilty.
Dear Spring, forgive me, of course, but she simply didn't understand, and I didn't get the chance to explain. She panicked right away, silly thing, chirped the sparrow, and turning to the snowflake, apologized. Sorry, I never thought I would scare you!
So what will happen to me?
You'll find out yourself very soon. Drop down to the ground and get some sleep, Spring smiled.
And I won't disappear forever? the snowflake asked fearfully.
No, don't be afraid, everything will be fine. I'll be right here and sing a lullaby so you can fall asleep and gather your strength.
Spring's enchanting song was everywhere. It wrapped around everything like mist, and the little snowflake, like hundreds of her sisters, forgot all her worries and fell into a sweet sleep.
A couple of days later, a tiny blue flower opened its eyes. Around it, other little flowers were waking up too. The sunshine kissed them right on their tops, warming them carefully: let the little ones gather strength!
The flower smiled:
Now I'm definitely not going to melt! Thank you, Spring!
