Sukhrik and New Year

The little mouse Sukhrik lived in a small burrow with his mummy, Grey Mouse. He was born on a hot summer's day, had never seen snow and didn't know what winter was like.

Mummy Mouse often told him about how severe and long winters could be, how difficult it was to find food because deep snowdrifts lay all around and there was nothing edible at all.

At the beginning of winter, lots and lots of snow fell. The entire forest was covered in a blanket of snow. The little mouse had never seen snow because he was very frightened of leaving his burrow.

One day, Mummy went about her mouse business in the forest, and when she returned to the burrow, she said:

How beautiful the forest is in winter! Snowflakes slowly twirl in a gentle waltz and quietly settle on the ground. And there are so many different tracks in the snow! It's interesting! Would you like to see?

No, no, I'm frightened!

Sukhrik huddled in the corner of the burrow.

A little more time passed, and Mummy Grey Mouse said:

Soon there will be a big celebration! New Year will arrive. Raven Matrena has already decorated the fir tree at the forest edge. Father Frost will be travelling through the forest past our burrow.

Mummy, I really want to see Father Frost and the beautifully decorated fir tree. But I'm very frightened!

Sukhrik called out.

Father Frost is a real Kind Wizard, he gives everyone presents. You should ask him for some remedy for fear, so that you, Sukhrik, finally stop being frightened….

On New Year's Eve, Mummy Grey Mouse jumped out of her bed and began to listen….

I can hear it — I can hear it, Father Frost is coming! How brightly the little bells ring on his sleigh's harness!

Sukhrik was so delighted that he forgot his fears and bravely rushed out onto the street from his burrow.

On the snowy forest edge he saw beautiful painted sleighs, harnessed to three snow-white reindeer. In the sleigh sat a giant — Father Frost with a white beard and in a red coat. In his right hand he held a staff, and in his left hand a large sack.

The Wizard had a very kind face, and noticing the tiny mouse, he winked, took a present from the sack and threw him a small glittering box as he passed. Father Frost was in a great hurry, and the sleigh with the reindeer quickly disappeared into the snowy forest.

Sukhrik looked around: the snow sparkled in the moonlight, there were tracks of different animals everywhere, a beautifully decorated fir tree stood at the forest edge and shone with bright lights. All around was such beauty and not frightening at all!!!!

Mummy, Mummy, Father Frost really is the Kindest Wizard in the whole world! He gave me a present!

Sukhrik cried out joyfully, running back into his cosy burrow.

And winter isn't frightening at all! And Father Frost brought New Year to everyone!

Mummy Grey Mouse gently kissed her beloved little son on his shiny black nose, tenderly embraced him with her paws and Sukhrik fell asleep. He had a very kind dream.

From that day on, the little mouse wasn't frightened of winter at all, he was delighted by the white snow, he looked at snowflakes and the tracks of animals at the forest edge.

What do you think, what present did Father Frost give to Sukhrik? What was in the glittering box?