February turned out to be sunny and snowy. The weather was good and frosty. Three friends – Vova, Tolya and Pasha – as usual gathered on an icy hill.
Vova is the oldest in the company. He's in year five, gets straight A's and takes part in various sports clubs. Second-year pupil Tolya is the cheeriest and most active: he never sits still and always wins at games. The moment someone gets distracted – Tolya's there. Pasha is the youngest. He doesn't even go to school yet, but tries to keep up with the older boys! You wouldn't want to put your finger near his mouth – he'd bite it off.
One day the boys decided to find out who was stronger.
Friends, the holiday is coming soon – 23rd February. It's time to find out who among us is a real man, – Vova announced solemnly.
But what does 'a real man' mean? – Pasha decided to clarify with his friend.
I know! It's someone who's faster, taller and stronger than everyone else! – Tolya shouted out.
Yes, that's right! – Vova confirmed.
But what's there to figure out? You're the tallest, Vova, you're the oldest after all, – Pasha grumbled indignantly.
And I'm the fastest! I always win at tag, no one can hide from me! – Tolya announced happily.
So that means I'm the strongest? – Pasha asked doubtfully, – well, by process of elimination.
Vova laughed and nodded. He knew that Tolya had no equal at tag, but he couldn't believe that little Pasha was the strongest. Tolya laughed too.
Why are you laughing? – Pasha asked the boys.
Pash, do you really think you're stronger than me and Tolya? – Vova asked his friend, laughing.
I do! Otherwise it's not fair! Am I not a real man then?
Alright, enough chatting, let's test it! – Tolya suggested.
How are we going to test it? – Pasha said warily. He understood himself that it would be difficult for him to overcome the boys in strength.
I suggest the following: we roll a huge snowball together, and then one by one we'll try to move it from its place. Whoever manages it is the strongest, – Vova suggested.
I agree! – Pasha exclaimed. Tolya agreed too.
The boys got to work. They rolled the snowball for a long time, and it turned out to be big and heavy. The three of them barely managed to push it to the middle of the square. Then they started trying one by one to move it from its place.
Pasha, being the youngest, was allowed to try first. He threw all his strength against the snowball, which was half a head taller than him. The ball didn't budge. Pasha looked at the boys disappointedly, and they smiled. The boy, trying to hide his hurt, walked away and sat on a bench.
It was Tolya's turn. The boy turned his back to the ball and braced his feet in the snow. With all his might he pushed against the snow mass – he couldn't move it at all. Tolya wasn't too upset, but decided to support Pasha and sat down next to him.
Vova stood next to the enormous snowball. If he managed to move it – victory! That meant he wasn't only the tallest, but also the strongest, which meant – a real man!
Without doubting his strength, Vova smiled and pushed the ball with one hand. Nothing. Vova didn't lose his nerve, braced his hands against the ball and his feet in the snow and tried again. Another failure!
The oldest of the boys also couldn't move the snowball! Everyone burst out laughing, and Vova turned red.
You know, this is a silly argument. No one won! Let's go sledging down the hill instead! – he said.
Let's! I'm going first! Pasha, are you coming with us? – Tolya called out happily.
No, I don't want to, – Pasha's voice was unusually sad.
Fine then! Sit and sulk while we go and play, – Vova said to him, and he and Tolya went to the hill.
But Pasha had no intention of sitting idle and pouting. He had a fighting spirit. He got up from the bench and walked determinedly towards the snowball. He spent a lot of time trying to move the mass, but it was all in vain. What was he to do? Did that mean he wasn't a man, not a defender? No!
Out of frustration with himself and the boys, Pasha decided to take a risky step. He moved away from the snowball and ran up and jumped on it.
It worked! The ball shifted under Pasha's weight. Pasha himself, of course, flew face-first into the snow, but that didn't bother him much. He immediately jumped to his feet, brushed off the clinging snow and ran after the boys.
Vova! Tolya! It worked! I'm the strongest, I moved it! – he shouted to the boys, who were chatting by the icy hill.
It can't be! – Vova replied.
I don't believe it! – Tolya exclaimed.
Then come and see for yourselves! And if you don't believe me, then call Tanya over there, she'll tell you if the ball moved or not.
That's a good idea. Tanya, will you come with us? – Vova asked the girl in the red jacket, who had just sledged down the hill and come over to the boys.
I will, but what do I need to do? – she answered in a clear voice.
Testify to the movement of the snowball, – Tolya laughed, and the boys ran after Pasha to the snow object.
Pasha was beaming with happiness. He took Tanya by the hand and led her straight to the ball. The girl carefully examined the compressed snow, but she still had doubts.
How did you manage that? – she asked Pasha, squinting.
It's a secret! – he said curtly. The last thing he needed was for the boys to be able to repeat his record.
Did someone help you? – Vova asked, coming closer and putting his arm around his friend's shoulders.
I managed it myself, do you believe me? – Pasha answered, looking him straight in the eye.
Do you give me your word as a real man? – Vova asked.
I do! – Pasha exclaimed immediately, and his cheeks turned red with embarrassment.
So, what will the snow commission say? – joked cheerful Tolya, coming up to the boys, – Tatiana, it's your decision, what do you think?
I think your games are silly! But Pasha's telling the truth, he wouldn't lie to his friends. And you can see from the snow that the ball has moved.
Pasha jumped up and down with joy. Tolya and Vova joined in.
Hurray! Now I'm a defender too, just like you!
So you'll have a holiday soon too, – Tanya said, – boys, I have presents for you.
For all of us? – the friends asked in unison.
For all of you! – the girl smiled cunningly and, quickly making a snowball, threw it straight at Tolya's forehead.
Ah, so that's what your presents are like! Attack! – Vova commanded, and the boys rushed into battle. Pasha, though, defended Tanya. After all, she had helped him prove to the boys that he really had moved the ball.
He never told anyone how he managed it. But he always remembered that it's not the strongest who wins, but the one who goes to the end!
