A party popper named Khlopa lives in a large store called "Zateykino." She doesn't remember how she ended up there, only knowing that she was brought in a wooden crate full of similar colourful party poppers.
Khlopa's neighbours told her that through a small crack in the crate, they saw themselves floating across the sea and riding in the back of a cargo truck. That's all Khlopa knows. She really enjoys living in the store — it's populated with other festive items.
The most important items in the store are fireworks. They're very beautiful, but also dangerous. You can't just buy them, and they're very expensive too. Plus, fireworks always live in brightly painted boxes, several to a box! They never get bored.
The most cheerful items in the store are sparklers. They come in different shapes — like stars or hearts, and sometimes even like little trees. These ignitable sticks never give anyone peace. They're always laughing and whispering to each other, lighting up one from another.
But Khlopa doesn't like firecrackers. She doesn't get along with them. They're mean and sneaky. They're always trying to scare someone or grab at fingers. You always have to watch out around them, or you might accidentally step on one! Firecrackers always explode unexpectedly and loudly, and people buy them very often.
Khlopa has been living in "Zateykino" for several years now, and many festive boxes have passed through her hands. When new items arrive, Khlopa always happily gives tours. But here's the problem — for some reason, nobody wants to buy her.
At night, when stars light up in the sky, Khlopa dreams that sooner or later she'll be the centre of attention at some very important celebration. She so wants to burst with a loud sound, scattering her sparkles in all directions to bring joy to people.
But years pass, and Khlopa just keeps gathering dust on the shelf. So she decided it was time for her to make it to a celebration herself. One day, on New Year's Eve, a girl came into the store with her mum and dad. They spent a long time choosing fireworks, bought some sparklers, but didn't take any party poppers.
Khlopa waited until the girl was passing by, then jumped off the shelf right into her hands. The girl examined the large beautiful party popper carefully and ran to her mum and dad to ask them to buy it. They agreed, and Khlopa finally found herself outside the store. The whole way home, she imagined how she would shine at the celebration. She was proud of herself for coming up with such a clever plan.
When evening came and all the guests gathered around the New Year's table, Khlopa carefully observed everything around her. The sparklers were lit first. Khlopa winked at her acquaintances — she knew they had been waiting for this celebration just as much as she had.
The moment came to hand out gifts, and guests bustled about, pulling beautifully wrapped boxes from under the tree. And suddenly, the girl said: "Let's open the party popper!" Everyone supported her idea, and her dad took on this important task.
Khlopa held her breath.
One — she's picked up.
Two — a wish is made.
Three — dad fires the party popper,
showering everyone with shimmering sparkles.
Khlopa laughs, scattering throughout the flat. She lands on the television, flies under the carpet, and settles on the Christmas tree. Now that's a celebration!
It was worth waiting so long for!
