This happened in a truly magical forest just before the most enchanting holiday of the year — New Year's Day.
Baba Yaga decided to spoil the holiday for the children:
Look at the youth these days, all they care about are those newfangled gadgets. They even send text messages to Father Frost.
She complained to her cat.
But Baba Yaga's cat wasn't just any ordinary cat — it was a magical one, able to speak and quite well at that, so it replied to her:
And their holiday too… Everyone's having fun, giving each other presents. But we're never invited.
I know, I know what we should do!
Suddenly exclaimed Yaga and began pacing back and forth around the room, reasoning as she went:
We need to spoil their holiday.
That's easier said than done.
The cat replied lazily, stretching on the stove.
You try doing it. The children are already ordering presents from Father Frost, so how can we manage to spoil the holiday?
Just listen first, don't interrupt, you furry thing.
Barked the old woman.
I've heard that children send letters to Frost directly through their phones these days. Ugh, these technologies, I'd roast those who invented them in the oven. But never mind, now they'll do us a good turn. We'll steal that phone, and the children will be left without any presents at all.
Said Yaga, rubbing her hands with glee.
And so they decided. The cat transformed into a black raven and stole Father Frost's phone. How happy Baba Yaga was then, she even fed the cat the finest cream she had, which she only did when she was in an excellent mood.
Well done, you furry thing.
The old woman kept saying.
Now the holiday will definitely be ruined for everyone.
Meanwhile, Father Frost gathered all his helpers in his tower:
Where on earth has that mobile gone?
Father Frost threw up his hands.
Surely I haven't lost it, foolish old man that I am. Well, Snow Maiden, haven't you found it anywhere?
No, grandfather, we've searched everywhere with the snowmen, it's nowhere to be found.
Said the girl sadly.
This is bad, very bad. The children ring me constantly, they've completely stopped writing letters.
Said Father Frost.
Grandfather, but the phone is more convenient, faster and messages come through quicker.
Snow Maiden spread her hands in confusion.
Oh, my dear granddaughter, but letters that children write by hand carry such magic and the spirit of the holiday. Phone messages simply don't have that.
Father Frost became quite upset.
Suddenly, a squirrel jumped through the slightly open window:
Trouble, trouble, Father Frost! Baba Yaga has stolen your phone, she's planning to spoil the holiday for the children, to leave them without presents. Her cat turned into a black raven and snatched the phone, and Baba Yaga threw it into the blue sea.
Oh! Oh! Oh! What will happen now.
Father Frost clutched his head.
The children will be left without presents now. My poor old head!
Grandfather, grandfather, don't worry, we'll definitely think of something.
Snow Maiden began to comfort him.
So the fairy tale characters spent the evening thinking about how to solve this difficult problem, but they couldn't come up with anything.
Whilst Father Frost and his helpers were trying to help the children get their New Year presents somehow, children all over the world were trying to ring Father Frost. Of course, they couldn't get through, no matter how hard they tried.
And then all the children of the world, having lost hope of contacting Father Frost by phone and reaching the magical forest somehow, decided to write Father Frost real, paper letters. How delighted the old man was.
Oh, I was wrong to doubt the children.
Said Father Frost, putting on his ceremonial coat.
They understood that the true magic of the New Year lies in these handwritten letters. That every little child, by dictating the text to their parents or carefully writing it themselves, sends a piece of joy. And that means the New Year will definitely come. Well, Snow Maiden, are you ready to give the children their presents?
Of course I am, grandfather.
Answered Snow Maiden.
And they set off to bring magic and miracles to all the children of the world.
Read fairy tales and Father Frost will definitely bring you lots of presents too.
