Crumbles and New Year

Little mouse Crumbles lived in a small burrow with his mother, Grey Mouse. He was born on a hot summer day, had never seen snow and didn't know what winter was like.

Mother Mouse often told stories about how harsh and long winters could be, how difficult it was to find food because deep snowdrifts covered everything and there was nothing edible at all.

At the beginning of winter, lots and lots of snow fell. The entire forest was covered in a blanket of snow. The little mouse had never seen snow because he was very afraid to leave his burrow.

One day, Mother Mouse was out doing her mouse errands in the forest, and when she returned to the burrow, she said:

How beautiful the forest is in winter! Snowflakes slowly twirl in a gentle waltz and quietly settle on the ground. And there are so many different tracks in the snow! It's interesting! Would you like to see?

No, no, I'm scared!

Crumbles huddled in the corner of the burrow.

A little more time passed, and Mother Grey Mouse said:

Soon there will be a big celebration! New Year is coming. Crow Matryona has already decorated the tree at the forest's edge. Father Frost will be traveling through the forest past our burrow.

Mummy, I really want to see Father Frost and the beautifully decorated tree. But I'm so scared!

Crumbles called out.

Father Frost is a real Good Wizard, he gives gifts to everyone. You should ask him for something to help with your fear, so that you, Crumbles, finally stop being afraid….

On New Year's Eve, Mother Grey Mouse jumped out of her bed and began to listen….

I hear it—I hear it, Father Frost is coming! How brightly the little bells ring on his sleigh harness!

Crumbles was so happy that he forgot his fears and bravely jumped out onto the street from his burrow.

On the snowy clearing, he saw beautiful painted sleighs pulled by three snow-white reindeer. In the sleigh sat a giant—Father Frost with a white beard and a red coat. In his right hand he held a staff, and in his left hand a large sack.

The Wizard had a very kind face, and noticing the tiny mouse, he winked, pulled a gift from his sack and threw him a small glittering box as he passed. Father Frost was in a great hurry, and the sleigh with the reindeer quickly disappeared into the snowy forest.

Crumbles looked around: the snow sparkled in the moonlight, there were tracks of different animals everywhere, a beautifully decorated tree stood at the forest's edge and shone with bright lights. All around was such beauty and not scary at all!!!!

Mummy, mummy, Father Frost really is the kindest Wizard in the world! He gave me a gift!

Crumbles cried out joyfully, running back into his cosy burrow.

And winter isn't scary at all! And Father Frost brought New Year to everyone!

Mother Grey Mouse gently kissed her beloved son on his shiny black nose, tenderly embraced him with her paws and Crumbles fell asleep. He had a very kind dream.

From that day on, the little mouse wasn't afraid of winter at all, he was happy about the white snow, he looked at snowflakes and animal tracks at the forest's edge.

What do you think, what gift did Father Frost give to Crumbles? What was in the glittering box?