Sasha was a boy who really didn't like winter. The cold wind and snow that pierced right through him were far less appealing than the warm autumn breeze and hot sunny rays. Sasha had an older brother Igor and a younger sister Tonya. They loved winter; it was their favourite time of year.
What do you all see in this winter anyway—cold, snow, slippery ice—you're bound to get hurt," Sasha started the conversation again.
Oh, Sasha, Sasha, instead of complaining, why don't you come out with us, play snowball fights, and you'd understand for yourself," Igor replied, putting on a warm hat and mittens before heading outside.
No thanks, I'd rather stay at home!" Sasha laughed.
Igor didn't try to convince him, and besides, he knew it would be pointless. He was much more eager to get outside quickly, where Tonya was waiting for him.
Sasha would have liked to go with his brother and sister to play outside, but he couldn't stand the cold. So, as always, he stayed home, brewed himself a large mug of hot tea, and sat by the window. Outside below, a proper snowball fight was already in full swing. Igor and Tonya were joined by other children from the courtyard, and it seemed they were having a wonderful time with the game. Snowflakes fell quietly, Sasha leaned his head against the glass and drank his tea so contentedly that he dozed off without noticing.
When Sasha opened his eyes, he was surprised to find himself not at home. Moreover, he was outside in the middle of a huge snowy field, and in the distance, tall snow gates were visible. Sasha looked around and saw a small snowman beside him. He was very amusing, with eyes made of black buttons and a carrot nose. On his head was a red basin instead of a hat. The boy studied the peculiar snow figure carefully.
What are you staring at?" the snowman suddenly spoke.
Oh, excuse me, I didn't know you were alive. My name is Sasha," the boy answered in surprise.
Hello, Sasha, I'm the Snowman, and I'm here to guide you to the world where Winter Queen lives," the snowman slightly lifted the basin on his head as a greeting.
Wow, I really want to meet her, but to be honest, I don't like winter," Sasha didn't like to lie, so he told the Snowman the truth.
What? That can't be! I don't believe it!" exclaimed the snowman, who was quite surprised and upset.
Sasha felt awkward about upsetting his new acquaintance, and he realised it would be impolite to refuse a journey to the winter kingdom. Besides, he really wanted to see a real queen in person. His brother and sister would be jealous when he told them about it.
Alright, Snowman, if I've offended you, I'd be happy to go with you to the winter world. Only I don't know at all how to behave and what to do in winter," the boy decided to try to do everything properly.
Don't worry, I'll help," the snowman cheered up noticeably; he was glad to help the boy.
Where do we start?" Sasha asked eagerly, impatient to begin the journey.
First of all, you need to dress warmly, otherwise you'll get frostbite before we reach the queen. In winter, you need to prepare well before going outside. You should wear plenty of layers of clothing, especially when it's as frosty as it is now," the snowman said importantly.
Is that really necessary? I'll look like a cabbage!" Sasha protested. Although he didn't like the cold, he didn't want to wear a hundred layers of clothing at once.
Of course, you want to enjoy your walk, not freeze. Look, it's simple: the first layer of clothing should fit snugly to your body," the snowman stomped his foot and warm thermal underwear appeared on Sasha, "We'll replace cotton items with woollen ones, because cotton takes a very long time to dry if you sweat during games, and we will definitely play in the winter kingdom," the snowman stomped again and a warm winter woollen jumper appeared under the down jacket.
Oh, it's much warmer now, thank you!" Sasha was pleased; he finally felt warm despite being outside.
Now we can go further!" said the Snowman, satisfied with his work.
The Snowman and Sasha headed towards the gates. When they approached, Sasha saw two more snowmen guards. They wore large woollen gloves on their hands. They greeted the guests but didn't seem in a hurry to let them through.
Snowman, what do we need to do? Guess riddles or solve some puzzles?" Sasha whispered to his companion.
What? Of course not! We need to have a bite to eat!" said the snowman and licked his lips in anticipation.
What? We need to eat? Why?" Sasha was surprised again. He loved good food, and he was amazed that entering the country was so simple.
Before entering the winter kingdom, you must definitely eat something high in calories. Don't you know that you burn more energy in the frost?
I didn't know!" the boy exclaimed again; everything the snowman said was a revelation to him.
The Snowman and Sasha happily enjoyed delicious cream cakes with berries. After finishing his cake, Sasha turned to the Snowman again:
But where's the tea? I'd love a hot drink!
Oh, Sasha, you really don't know anything about winter. You can't drink hot drinks before going out into the frost; your blood vessels expand, which means it's easier to get hypothermia.
Wow, thanks for warning me. Tell me, why do snowmen wear mittens?
What do you mean why? In mittens, hands warm up much more easily than in gloves. They keep the heat longer.
So it's good that I put on mittens!" Sasha was glad that he'd at least thought of something for his adventure.
Finally, the gates opened, and the Snowman and Sasha entered the winter country. Tall trees stood on either side of the roads, covered with snow. Colourful garlands sparkled everywhere, and Christmas baubles grew on bushes just like berries. Boys, girls, snowmen and squirrels, as well as other forest animals, walked through the snowdrifts. It seemed strange to Sasha that when walking, they spread their legs wide, and their knees were slightly bent. Everyone walked slightly leaning forward, moving in small sliding steps.
Snowman, why is everyone walking so strangely?
That's the best way not to fall on the ice, look, it's not difficult!" the snowman began to move like everyone around him, "The main thing is to step not on your toes, but on the entire sole, then you definitely won't fall!"
Sasha tried walking with his legs spread wide; at first it worked, but suddenly he started to fall and the snowman barely caught him.
Sasha, take your hands out of your pockets! That's very dangerous; if you start to fall, you won't be able to help yourself, and I won't always be nearby.
Thank you, Snowman, for catching me. So where do we go? How do we get to the queen?
There's her palace, look, we just need to cross the road!
Sasha rushed across the road and barely managed to stop before an oncoming car.
What are you doing, Sasha! Have you gone mad? Never cross the road without assessing the situation. In rain, snow and ice, a car's braking distance increases several times over. It might seem to you that the car is far away, but it's inexorably approaching, and it won't be able to stop quickly. You need to let cars pass that won't stop on their own.
I thought I'd make it. I just want so badly to see the winter queen! Let's hurry!
You need to be very careful in places where cars brake and stop. Even if you manage to slip through, small stones or worse—ice shards—can unexpectedly fly out from under the wheels. And you never know what's hidden under the snow and water slush. What if there are potholes or bumps? A driver, seeing them at the last moment, might try to swerve around them, and the car could skid.
I understand, sorry Snowman, without you I would have been completely lost in this kingdom.
They carefully crossed the road and found themselves near the palace.
Well, from here on you're on your own, I've helped you as much as I could, good luck meeting the queen," said the snowman as a farewell.
Aren't you coming with me?
No, Sasha, I can't; I'll melt inside the palace. But you'll make friends with the queen, I'm sure.
Sasha said goodbye to the snowman and thanked him once more. As soon as he opened the palace doors, he woke up.
He was sitting by the window, and outside below, the children had already finished playing snowball fights and building castles. Now they were making amusing snowmen. Sasha looked more carefully and saw that very snowman with a red basin on his head instead of a hat. And nearby were two others wearing warm mittens. "Was it just a dream?" the boy thought sadly. But suddenly he noticed that the snowman seemed to wave at him.
Then Sasha understood that he had indeed visited a magical country, and now he knew how to behave in winter. He decided that next time he would definitely go for a walk with his brother and sister, but he wouldn't tell them about his journey—it would be his great winter secret.
