One frosty winter morning, Mishutka decided to visit his friend Pyf. The weather was absolutely wonderful.
The trees sparkled with winter magic: branches covered in frost glittered in the sun so brightly that the light made you want to squint your eyes.
There was a special atmosphere in the forest. It felt as though something good and very important was about to happen. Mishutka sensed it, but couldn't quite figure out what it was.
He hopped along towards the hedgehog's house, but suddenly heard cheerful laughter nearby. Mishutka stopped and looked around. On a clearing under an old, bent spruce tree sat the cheerful Hare. His snow-white fluffy coat shimmered in the sun. He casually scratched behind his ear and, looking at Mishutka, chuckled mischievously.
Why are you laughing? ― Mishutka grumbled offendedly, settling back on his hind legs.
I'm laughing at you, Mishutka. Where are you rushing off to in such a hurry? You might miss New Year's!
What do you mean New Year? ― Mishutka asked in surprise, his black bead-like eyes widening. ― And why is it new? Where's the old one then?
Remember, Mishutka, how you, me, and the hedgehog went mushroom picking last summer? ― asked the Hare, putting on an important air and rising slightly on his tiptoes.
Yes, I remember.
And we wanted to taste some fresh honey from the bees, and they stung us so much that our noses swelled up and hurt for a week ― you remember that?
Of course, how could I forget that? ― Mishutka grumbled, rubbing his nose.
And remember how we jumped in puddles after the rain, and then all dried off together in the sun?
I remember.
Well, all of that happened in the old year. And we're sitting here talking right now in the old year too.
So when will the New Year come? Do we have to call for it? ― Mishutka worried.
No, ― answered the young Hare, ― it will come on its own. Tonight...
Ooo, but how will we know it's arrived?
The Hare thought for a moment, scratched behind his ear again, and put on an important expression once more.
Mishutka, tell me, what do you dream about?
I really want to see my mum again, ― Mishutka said with a happy smile, but then added sadly, ― I miss her so much...
And what else? ― the Hare persisted. ― What else do you dream about?
I want to have lots of honey and raspberry jam in my den all the time, ― and Mishutka even smacked his lips loudly, imagining his dream.
Good! ― the Hare continued, ― But is there anything else you dream about?
Yes, I want us never to quarrel with my best friend Pyf over silly things. It always upsets me so much, ― complained the little bear, and his eyes became sad again.
Well then, ― concluded the Hare, ― those dreams of yours are what New Year's is!
For the rest of the day, Mishutka thought about what the Hare had told him. Could it really be that simple: you wish for something, and it comes true? How does that work?
It was getting dark. The first stars appeared in the sky, and the little bear hurried back to the clearing where he'd met the Hare that morning. Inside, he felt a strange sensation, as if something very unexpected and joyful was about to happen.
The Hare was already waiting for him. But not empty-pawed. He'd brought hot, fragrant blackcurrant tea in a thermos and cups, set it all on a tree stump, and settled in comfortably, looking up at the sky.
Hare! Hare! Has it started already? ― gasped Mishutka breathlessly, flopping into a snowdrift next to the hare and breathing heavily.
Shh, almost. Very soon the New Year will come, and all our dreams will start to come true little by little, ― whispered the Hare with a smile. Then he took a cup of fragrant hot tea, slowly inhaled its aroma, squeezed his eyes shut with pleasure, and carefully took a sip.
And Mishutka couldn't wait to see the New Year: "What's it like? How does it make wishes come true?".
The little bear silently watched the sky. Stars were scattered across it like beads. Some sparkled brighter, some dimmed, and then began to shine with even greater force.
And then, through the silence of the winter forest, he heard familiar footsteps. The excited bear suddenly turned in the direction they were coming from. And he saw in the distance... his mother bear! She was bounding towards Mishutka with huge, quick leaps, though she was limping heavily on one paw. From joy, little Mishutka's heart beat so fast that it seemed it would burst right out of his chest.
Mum! ― roared Mishutka so loudly that the Hare sitting beside him flinched and dropped his cup of tea.
And the mother bear was already right there. She hugged her little son tightly with her huge, furry paws. Then she sighed with relief, smiled, and looked at him with the same tenderness and affection she always showed at bedtime, tucking him under her side and covering him with her big, warm paw. The little bear felt safe and calm. After all, his mum was with him again.
The mother bear was also incredibly happy. Her greatest dream had come true: she'd seen her little rascal again. Several months ago, she'd been caught in a trap and badly injured her paw. Hunters had taken her to their facility, treated her, and left her living in an enclosure at the children's park zoo.
There were other animals there that children and their parents came to see. But the mother bear missed her little cub terribly. Because of this, she ate poorly, slept little, and often growled sadly and mournfully. The park owner understood that the mother bear wouldn't settle there, and asked the hunters to return her to the wild.
Friends, has the New Year started already? ― cried Pyf in alarm, just arriving at the clearing with a large jar of raspberry jam. ― I hurried so much, but it looks like I'm late again!
You're not late, you're not late! Sit down here! ― reassured him the Hare.
The hedgehog scurried over on his little legs and settled down next to Mishutka.
I'm so glad you came, ― murmured the little bear affectionately, and moved closer to his friend.
Then everyone fell quiet. And silently began to watch the magical starry sky. In the forest too, everything had stilled, only occasionally did branches crackle from the frost.
Mishutka, overflowing with happiness and joy right to the tips of his ears, looking into the distance, whispered softly:
So that's what you're like, New Year!
