Deep, deep in the densest forest, in the most remote ancient woodland lived a grandmother and her granddaughter Nastya. Little Nastya was a good and hardworking girl with a big human heart.
One winter evening, sitting by the fireplace, grandmother was knitting socks for her granddaughter, whilst Nastya read her a fairy tale. Suddenly someone tapped quietly at the window. The girl looked out. In the darkness she made out her friend, a little rabbit named Snezok. How white and fluffy he was! The girl threw a shawl over her shoulders and went outside.
Hello, Snezok. What are you doing out so late?
Asked little Nastya.
Hello!
Looking around nervously and trembling with fear, the little rabbit began his story.
We rabbits have a terrible problem! We've all changed into our winter white coats, but there's no snow, now the foxes and wolves can see us from a mile away. And how are we to decorate the New Year tree, how are we to invite Grandfather Frost to dance in a circle? Can there really be a New Year without snow? Perhaps Winter has forgotten to do her duty or simply fallen ill?
Chattered the frightened rabbit with questions.
Don't worry, we'll think of something.
Reassured little Nastya convincingly.
What if we write a letter to Winter?
They went inside and began composing a letter. They asked Winter for plenty of white snow, weightless snowflakes, and crisp frost, so that all the little animals could joyfully celebrate the New Year.
But how will we deliver the letter, who knows where Winter lives?
Worried the little white coward.
We'll send the message with a sparrow, he's quick and nimble, he'll surely find the way.
Decided the girl.
The sparrow agreed to help his friends, took the letter and flew north.
Winter had indeed forgotten about her duties. With a cup of hot tea and fragrant fresh buns, she sat in front of the television watching her favourite cartoons. Meanwhile, the snowflakes were bored in the cupboard. They so wanted to be free, to play with the blizzard outside! Frost too had grown sad; December was coming to an end, and he hadn't yet nipped the children's cheeks.
The sparrow was so tired from the long journey that, having landed on the branch of a large oak tree, he fell asleep. The letter immediately fell from his beak. It tumbled straight into the bear's den.
Oh, I almost slept through the New Year! Father Frost must have sent me a gift.
Rejoiced the bear and climbed out of his den. He looked around and was surprised:
But where is the snow?
The bear decided to go back to sleep, but heard someone crying softly.
Raising his head, he saw a little sparrow.
Why are you crying so bitterly, little one?
Asked the bear.
The sparrow told the bear that Nastya had written a letter to Winter. About how she wanted to help the forest animals arrange a snowy New Year celebration, with circle dances and Father Frost.
Very well, I'll take the letter to Winter myself.
Said the bear without hesitation.
Holding the letter firmly in his paw, the bear set off to find Winter. He travelled through the forest for so long that he became very tired. He sat on a tree stump to rest. Suddenly a wind blew up, snatched the letter from his paw and carried it away.
The bear was upset and asked the reindeer for help:
Perhaps you, swift-footed one, know where Winter lives and will take the letter to her from all the animals?
The reindeer rushed after the letter, caught it and set off on his journey. By evening he was at the ice cottage.
He knocked on the door with his hoof, waited for an invitation to enter and handed the message to Winter.
And then a miracle happened!
Opening the cupboard door, fluffy snow with snowflakes covered everything around, frost bound the rivers and lakes, and painted beautiful patterns on the windows of houses.
How much work Winter had to do! She dressed the trees in white coats, the bushes in shawls, and covered the ground with snow.
Little Nastya went outside, and there was winter—real winter, a genuine white and glittering fairy tale!
The girl took a basket with apples and sweets and went to find her poor friend Snezok. It was time to decorate the forest's beautiful New Year tree.
And on the clearing work was already in full swing! For the white rabbits, neither wolf nor fox held any fear now.
Gathering all the animals in a circle dance, the happy little rabbits congratulate each other on the New Year and await the arrival of Grandfather Frost!
