My name is Snezhа, and I am a snowflake. I was born high up in the sky, in a big winter cloud. My cloud mother told us snowflake sisters that soon the time would come and we would have to fly down to the earth. This is called the first snow. The hardest part is choosing where to land.
You must think very carefully about where you want to be, — our cloud mother told us, — When the time comes, you will swirl in the wind and fly downwards.
I want to end up in the forest! — said my youngest sister, — I heard that there are beautiful fluffy fir trees there, and on their soft branches our sisters gather into soft snow-white winter caps. And under the little fir tree there are always magnificent snowdrifts.
And I want to land near a big and beautiful lake, — said my older sister.
What's interesting about a winter lake? — I wondered why one would fall near frozen water.
They say that winter lakes are very beautiful, sometimes the water doesn't freeze completely and under the ice crust you can see peculiar little fish swimming. I really want to see them.
Mother cloud, can I not fall to the earth as the first snow? — I didn't want to leave home at all, especially since I couldn't figure out where I would want to go.
How can that be, Snezhа, all your sisters have already decided where they will fly, and you want to stay? That's impossible. Snowflakes are born in the sky so that one day they will fall; that's how the natural world works.
So I will fall, even if I don't know where I'm going? — I asked my cloud mother.
Of course, simply, if you don't decide, the wind will catch you and carry you to unknown lands.
So be it then. Decided – I will fly downwards wherever my eyes take me, and wherever I end up, let the wind decide. Days passed, and there were more and more snowflakes, and my cloud mother could barely carry us across the sky. My sisters kept asking me if I had changed my mind about flying down without knowing the way. Some laughed behind my back, others sincerely wished me luck, and there were those who envied my courage. I myself was a bit frightened, but at the same time, I knew that the wind – our friend – would definitely carry me to a good place.
Time went on, and the air became frostier with each day. The time of the first snow had come. As soon as the sun's rays appeared over the earth, my cloud mother told the snowflake children that it was time to set off. The snowflakes hugged each other goodbye and rushed downwards with ringing laughter. Some flew in pairs, some alone, all joyfully swirled in a snowy dance, shimmering in the sun. I hesitated, I was very curious where the wind would take me, and I decided to ask it:
My friend, Little Breeze, where do you want to take me?
Snezhа, today we will fly over a small town where many people live, you can choose any place to fall – on a house roof or on a road, or maybe you'll want to meet someone from the residents. Believe me, everyone will be happy about the first snow.
The breeze's words calmed me, and I decided to go for it. Closing my eyes, I fell, at first from fear I couldn't breathe, but soon fear was replaced by the joy of flying. What an unusual feeling – to fly into the unknown, swirling in the wind currents. I saw how my sisters were already approaching the earth, when I flew over the forest, they cheerfully greeted me, some had already fallen long ago and now lay on a fluffy snow drift resting.
But the wind carried me further and further. We flew over the lake where fish lived, and there my sisters greeted me joyfully. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to simply rush forward, not thinking about where I was destined to end up.
After some time, I felt the wind gradually becoming quieter and no longer driving me so forcefully. When I opened my eyes to see what we were flying over, I was amazed. I saw a shining city decorated with glowing New Year lights. It turned out that while I was flying, dusk had already begun on the street.
Bright garlands decorated all the houses in the city, they sparkled and shimmered, on the windows I noticed New Year snow patterns, and sometimes among the decorations I could see paper snowflakes. But for some reason, I didn't want to fall somewhere on the street or on a house roof. I wanted to see people up close, and I asked the little breeze to carry me to where I could see them.
I know one place where you'll definitely like it, — whispered the breeze to me.
Then let's fly there quickly! — I answered him.
The breeze was already tired from the long flight, so it only slightly swirled me as we flew towards the people. Finally, I saw many little children playing on a children's playground shaped like a fairy-tale castle. A little boy in a green jacket was trying to catch falling snow in his mouth, and I was frightened, I didn't want to be eaten, that's not what I had travelled so far for.
Breeze, please don't carry me to that boy, — I asked the wind with all my might.
Snezhа, I'm very tired and I can't fly any further, you'll have to choose where to land and fly the rest of the way yourself. I've brought you to the people as you wanted, and now I must go, — the breeze said to me quietly in a tired voice.
Of course, friend, thank you for giving me such an incredible adventure. Give my regards to my cloud mother and tell her that I'm fine, I've landed among people, — I was sad to say goodbye to the breeze.
Goodbye, Snezhа, — he said barely audibly.
The wind died down, nothing carried me further, I fell slowly and could only move slightly to the right or left. I carefully studied the playground where I found myself, I was already far from the boy in the green jacket, so the danger of being eaten had passed. Unexpectedly, my attention was drawn to a girl who was spinning around herself, rejoicing in the snow.
I was so absorbed watching her sweet little face, on which a smile shone, listening to her ringing childish laughter, that I didn't notice how I had flown too close. The girl held out her hand in a beautiful fluffy red mitten, and I imperceptibly fell right onto it.
Children, children, look at what a wonderful snowflake I caught! — she cried out.
Many children, both very small and older, crowded around her in colourful jackets. And I looked up at them from below.
Wow, I've never seen such a beautiful one before, — said a boy in a yellow jacket, he reached out his hand and wanted to touch me, but the girl stopped him in time.
Don't touch it, or it will melt! — she said to him.
She's so unusual, she must have come from far away, — said an older girl.
I looked at the children and was happy that I had landed right here. And when everyone had gone, I said to the girl:
Hi, I'm Snezhа!
Oh, you can talk? So you're not an ordinary snowflake, but a magical one? — she was surprised.
Yes, I only fall with the first snow, — I answered her.
Wow! You're very beautiful!
Thank you, I didn't know where I wanted to fall. But now I'm glad you caught me, I can grant you one wish. What do you want? – I wanted to make the girl happy.
Oh, I don't even know…
Don't be shy, ask for anything you want, — I encouraged her.
I want it to snow more often in winter! — she said.
The girl's wish surprised me. But I had promised her to grant whatever she wanted. So be it then.
I will grant your wish, just close your eyes and think very hard about it, — I said to the girl.
When the girl opened her eyes, the snowflake on the red mitten was no longer there. In its place was a small wet spot. "I didn't even say goodbye!" — she thought and said aloud:
Goodbye Snezhа, I was happy to see you.
Bye-bye, — came the familiar voice in response.
And that winter was the snowiest in a long time.
