Winter is a time of miracles. When light white snow falls to the ground and the wind playfully dances with intricately carved snowflakes, real magic happens.
Few people know that every year Grandfather Frost chooses himself a new helper. You probably thought it was one of the elves, but no, Grandfather chooses one of the children who write him letters.
And the number of applications for this position grows year after year. Who wouldn't want to spend New Year's Eve with a real Grandfather Frost, rather than with a costumed dad or grandfather. But the winter wizard needs a responsible person. Grandfather's memory is quite poor; without a helper, he might deliver gifts twice to the same house, or worse yet—completely forget to bring a gift to some little one on the list.
And Grandfather needs help decorating the windows of houses with snowy patterns. He can't paint all the windows by himself. And this work begins long before New Year's.
"I've read every letter the children sent me, but I couldn't find a suitable helper. What should I do? I can't manage alone!" thought Grandfather Frost, sitting at a large oak writing desk. On his nose sat blue glasses with large lenses, so he could tell who was telling the truth about their behaviour this year and who was fibbing. If a child wrote a lie, through the glasses he would see nothing but beautiful snowflakes.
Grandfather Frost thought for a while, scratched his head, and decided to go personally search for a helper. But how could he appear on the street in his New Year's outfit? Everyone would recognize him, and before New Year's, children shouldn't see Grandfather, or the New Year's miracle wouldn't happen. There was nothing for it but to wear an ordinary fur coat and warmer felt boots. So that none of the children would recognize him on the street at all.
"Where should I look for him? A good, kind, responsible and brave helper?" Grandfather wondered, standing in a beautifully decorated square near the Christmas tree. His gaze wandered over the children passing by. But not a single child fit Grandfather Frost's high standards. One girl was tugging at her mother's sleeve, begging for ice cream; another boy refused to pull the sleigh himself; and near a stall with New Year's toys, some mischievous kid was putting on quite a show, demanding to buy him a New Year's lollipop.
Unexpectedly, Grandfather Frost's gaze caught among the other children a small thin boy who was dressed in a thin jacket and not at all winter boots. In such cold, the boy surely must have been freezing from head to toe. But the boy didn't complain or cry; he held in his hands colourful handmade New Year's ornaments. And apparently, he was offering them to passersby to buy.
Grandfather Frost hurried to the boy through the crowd to find out what had made him stand alone in such frost. As soon as he approached the boy, he shouted:
Handmade Christmas ornaments! Affordable!
Hello boy, where did you get such beautiful New Year's ornaments?
Straight from Grandfather Frost's workshop! Christmas ornaments of the highest quality. Would you like to buy? I'll give them to you cheaply.
Grandfather Frost looked carefully into the boy's eyes and noticed in them the reflection of those qualities he had been searching for in other children. But he shouldn't rush to a decision; he needed to check everything carefully. And he said:
From Grandfather Frost's workshop, you say? Interesting... Let me see, — grandfather took a red ornament in his hand; on it, with a thin white brush, intricate patterns were carefully drawn, resembling snowflakes.
Do you like my ornaments? Usually everyone just walks past... — said the boy and his eyes were filled with both hope and sadness.
You know, I believe you. I once happened to visit a New Year's wizard's workshop, and the ornaments that the elves make there are far less colourful than yours.
So will you buy this ornament from me? — the boy's eyes shone with tears welling up.
More than that, my friend, I'll buy them all and even more, but you must answer me one important question. And answer honestly.
Anything you want to know! — the boy was ready to do anything, just to sell those ornaments that he had so carefully painted for several nights in a row.
Tell me, what made you spend your incredible artistic talent on selling Christmas ornaments in the square on New Year's Eve, and in a jacket that barely protects you from the wind?
The boy didn't answer for a long time. He lowered his head and felt so ashamed before this generous adult who was ready to buy all his Christmas decorations. He searched for the right words, but couldn't bring himself to tell the truth.
I can see that something troubles you, but you can trust me. Believe me, I know how to keep the most important secrets. But if you don't want to, you don't have to answer. I'll buy your New Year's ornaments anyway; just name your price.
No, that wouldn't be honest. I promised I would tell.
I value your honesty, and I want to thank you for it.
Grandfather Frost's words touched the boy so deeply that he took a deep breath of frosty air and said:
I sell ornaments in the square because I need money to buy food. I wear this old jacket because I have no other clothes. I'm wasting my talent because I can't afford to develop it. I'm homeless, only please, don't pity me. Just buy the ornaments.
You're a very brave boy. Forgive me, I didn't learn your name.
My name is Tema. I've done my part of our agreement.
What if I offered you much more than just buying ornaments? I'm ready to offer you help. Offer you work and shelter. Only don't think that I pity you.
But why me?
You see, I need a helper. Someone like you—a brave, kind, responsible boy.
What do you do for work?
I... How should I put it... I'm Grandfather Frost.
The boy laughed, but Grandfather Frost didn't rush to stop him.
You're joking, right? That can't be!
Don't you believe in Grandfather Frost?
I believe, but... No miracles have happened to me in a long time.
Then it's time to fix that!
Grandfather Frost snapped his fingers and a heavy snowfall began. Tema couldn't believe he had witnessed such magic.
Now do you believe that I'm Grandfather Frost?
Yes! I believe you!
So will you accept my offer?
Of course, I agree!
Then take your New Year's ornaments and we'll head north to prepare for the holiday. There will be a lot of work, but together we'll definitely manage.
But do you really need my Christmas ornaments? You're a wizard, and your elves surely...
I've never seen such beautiful Christmas ornaments. And believe me, I've seen quite a lot... And these ornaments, I promised to buy, so they're rightfully mine. And I'll hang them on my New Year's Tree.
Thank you! — was all the boy said, and he joyfully hugged Grandfather Frost.
Needless to say, Grandfather had never had such an honest and responsible helper. Tema pleased the wizard so much that he offered him to stay and work forever!
