Dear boys and girls! You may be a little surprised by the strange name ― "The Sweet Forest"? The answer to that question is hidden right in the name. In this forest, alongside ordinary trees, grow sugar birches with maple-toffee leaves, flowers where the pollen is sweet jam, bagel trees ― there is no end to the wonders. And the residents of this forest are unusual too: they can talk, invent things and, of course, be friends. But come on, friends, let's get to know them better. So, welcome to the Sweet Forest!
Although the Sweet Forest was unusual, with sweets growing in it, the seasons there followed one another ― just like in an ordinary forest.
Toby, one of the residents of the Sweet Forest, dreamed with all his heart of seeing winter, welcoming the New Year and receiving a gift from Santa Claus. But how? After all, every year his whole family slept soundly at this time.
You know how much I want to see winter and dance around the Christmas tree ― Toby sighed and complained ― and get a present from Santa Claus...
And what's stopping you from welcoming the New Year with us? ― asked his best friend, the little squirrel Zippy.
But I sleep through the winter, Zippy! Stop laughing! ― the little bear protested, nearly in tears.
I'm not laughing. We'll set an alarm clock for you, and we'll celebrate this New Year together!
Really?
Really, really. You'd better learn a poem. Ask my sister ― she has a whole book of New Year's poems, ― Zippy said cheerfully, ― you can recite it to Santa Claus at the Christmas tree.
Toby was so happy, so delighted, that he learned as many as three poems, and every morning he recited them to his mom and dad.
Summer passed, autumn raced by like a red squirrel, and winter arrived, creeping in like a lynx on soft paws.
The alarm clock did wake Toby, but Zippy, instead of setting it for the evening, set it for the morning.
Where's Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, the dancing, the presents? ― the bear stared at the snow in surprise. ― Are the presents under these white pillows?
Oh no, silly, ― Zippy laughed, ― it's morning now, and all of that will happen in the evening. And what's around us isn't pillows, it's snow.
Snow?
Yes, snow! Let's go play!
And what can you play in winter? ― Toby was very surprised.
Are you kidding?! ― Zippy was even more surprised. ― In winter, you know, it's so much fun! Let's first go to the hill ― and ride the toboggan!
All morning the friends went tobogganing, only running home for lunch before heading back outside. And out there ― snowball fights, skating on the pond, skiing! The friends even built a couple of snowmen. There were only a couple of hours left until New Year's.
It's coming very soon, ― Toby smiled, ― very soon.
He sat down on a little stool to rest, but he didn't notice how sweetly he fell asleep, and neither his friends nor the alarm clock could wake him.
At the Christmas tree, the forest animals took turns reciting poems to Santa Claus.
But where is Toby? I saw in my crystal ball how much he wanted to come to the tree, ― Santa Claus said cheerfully, ― he was learning poems.
Grandpa, he dreamed about it so much, he even learned three poems, but he got up early and played so hard all day that he got tired and fell asleep, ― Zippy sighed.
Don't be upset, Zippy, ― Santa smiled, ― here is a gift for your friend. When he wakes up in the summer, his winter dream will be right beside him. I am proud of him!
Yes, my dear boys and girls: if you believe in something, miracles will surely happen, especially at the most magical holiday ― New Year's! Believe, my dears, and keep dreaming!
