February turned out to be sunny and snowy. The weather was good and frosty. Three friends—Vova, Tolya, and Pashka—gathered as usual on the icy hill.
Vova is the oldest in the group. He's in fifth grade, gets straight A's, and participates in various sports clubs. Second-grader Tolya is the cheeriest and most active: he never sits still and always wins games. The moment someone gets distracted—Tolya is right there. Pashka is the youngest. He doesn't even go to school yet, but he tries to keep up with the older boys! He's tough as nails.
One day the boys decided to find out who was stronger.
Friends, the holiday is coming soon—February 23rd. It's time to find out who among us is a real man,—Vova announced solemnly.
But what does it mean to be a 'real man'?—Pashka decided to clarify with his friend.
I know! It's someone who is faster, taller, and stronger than everyone else!—Tolya shouted.
Yes, that's right!—Vova confirmed.
But what's there to figure out? You're the tallest, Vovka, you're the oldest after all,—Pashka grumbled offendedly.
And I'm the fastest! I always win at tag, no one can escape from me!—Tolya announced happily.
So that means I'm the strongest?—Pashka asked doubtfully,—well, by process of elimination.
Vova laughed and nodded. He knew that Tolya had no equal in tag, but he couldn't believe that little Pashka was the strongest. Tolya laughed too.
Why are you laughing?—Pashka 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?
Okay, enough talking, let's test it!—Tolya suggested.
How will we test it?—Pashka asked nervously. He understood that it wouldn't be easy to overpower the older boys in strength.
I propose this: we roll a huge snowball together, and then one by one we'll try to move it from its spot. Whoever can do it is the strongest,—Vova suggested.
I agree!—Pashka exclaimed. Tolya agreed too.
The boys got to work. They rolled the snowball for a long time, and it turned out big and heavy. All 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 spot.
Pashka, being the youngest, got to try first. He threw all his weight against the snowball, which was taller than him by half a head. The ball didn't budge. Pashka looked at the boys sadly, and they smiled. The boy, trying to hide his hurt, walked away and sat on a bench.
It was Tolya's turn. The boy stood with his back to the ball and pushed with his feet in the snow. He threw all his weight against the snow mass—it wouldn't move. Tolya wasn't too upset, but decided to support Pashka and sat down next to him.
Vova stood by the huge snowball. If he could move it—victory! That would mean he wasn't just the tallest, but also the strongest, and therefore—a real man!
Without doubting his strength, Vovka smiled and pushed the ball with one hand. Nothing. Vova didn't lose his composure, pushed with his hands against the ball and his feet in the snow and tried again. Another failure!
The oldest of the boys couldn't move the snowball either! Everyone laughed, and Vova turned red.
You know, this is a stupid argument. Nobody won! Let's go sledding instead!—he said.
Let's! I'm going first! Pashka, 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 pout while we go play,—Vova said, and he and Tolya headed to the hill.
But Pashka had no intention of sitting idle and sulking. He had a fighting spirit. He got up from the bench and walked decisively toward the snowball. He spent a lot of time trying to move the massive thing, but it was all in vain. What should he do? Did that mean he wasn't a man, not a defender? No!
Out of frustration with himself and the boys, Pashka decided to take a risky step. He backed away from the snowball and ran at it with all his might, then jumped on it.
It worked! The ball moved from its spot under Pashka's weight. Pashka 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 standing by the icy hill.
It can't be!—Vova answered.
I don't believe it!—Tolya exclaimed.
Then come and see for yourselves! And if you don't believe me, go get Tanya, she'll tell you if the ball moved or not.
That's a good idea. Tanyusha, will you come with us?—Vovka asked the girl in the red jacket who had just slid 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 Pashka to the snow structure.
Pashka was glowing with happiness. He took Tanya's hand and led her straight to the ball. The girl carefully examined the compressed snow, but she still had doubts.
How did you manage to do that?—she asked Pashka, squinting.
It's a secret!—he said curtly. The last thing he needed was for the boys to be able to repeat his feat.
Did someone help you?—Vova asked, coming closer and putting his arm around his friend's shoulders.
I did it myself, do you believe me?—Pashka answered, looking him straight in the eye.
You give me your word as a real man?—Vova asked.
I do!—Pashka exclaimed immediately, and his cheeks turned red with embarrassment.
So what will the snow commission say?—cheerful Tolya joked, coming up to the boys,—Tatyana, the decision is yours, what do you think?
I think your games are silly! But Pashka is telling the truth, he wouldn't lie to his friends. And you can see from the snow that the ball moved.
Pashka jumped up and down with joy. Tolya and Vovka joined him.
Hooray! Now I'm a defender too, just like you!
So you have a holiday coming soon too,—Tanya said,—boys, I have gifts for you.
For all of us?—the friends asked in unison.
For all of you!—the girl smiled slyly and, quickly making a snowball, threw it right at Tolya's forehead.
Ah, so those are your gifts! Attack!—Vovka commanded, and the boys rushed into battle. Pashka, 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 to do it. But he always remembered that the winner isn't the one who is the strongest, but the one who perseveres to the end!
