One frosty winter morning, Mishutka decided to visit his friend Pyf. The weather was absolutely wonderful.
The trees sparkled with winter magic: branches covered in frost glittered in the sun so brightly that the light made you want to squint your eyes.
The forest had a special atmosphere. It felt as though something good and very important was about to happen. Mishutka sensed this, but couldn't understand what it was.
He hopped toward the hedgehog's house, but suddenly heard cheerful laughter nearby. Mishutka stopped and looked around. On a clearing under an old bent spruce sat the cheerful Hare. His snow-white fluffy coat shimmered in the sun. He lazily scratched behind his ear and, looking at Mishutka, chuckled mischievously.
Why are you laughing? ― Mishutka mumbled offendedly, settling onto his hind legs.
I'm laughing at you, Mishutka. Where are you rushing off to? You might miss the New Year!
What New Year? ― Mishutka asked in surprise, his black bead-like eyes widening. ― And why is it new? Where's the old one?
Remember, Mishutka, how you, me, and the hedgehog went mushroom picking last summer? ― asked the Hare, putting on an important air and rising slightly on his tiptoes.
Yes, I remember.
And we wanted to taste fresh honey from the bees, and they stung us so much that our noses swelled and hurt for a week ― you remember that?
How could I forget that, ― grumbled Mishutka, rubbing his nose.
And remember how we jumped in puddles after the rain, and then all dried off together in the sun?
I remember.
Well, all of that happened in the old year. And we're sitting here talking right now in the old year too.
So when will the New Year come? Do we have to call it? ― Mishutka worried.
No, ― answered the young Hare, ― it will come on its own. Tonight...
Ooo, but how will we know it's come?
The little Hare thought for a moment, scratched behind his ear again, and put on an important expression once more.
Mishutka, tell me, what do you dream about?
I would very much like to see my mother again, ― Mishutka said with a happy smile, but then added sadly, ― I miss her so much...
And what else? ― the Hare persisted. ― What else do you dream about?
I want to have lots of honey and raspberry jam in my den, ― and Mishutka even smacked his lips loudly, imagining his dream.
Good! ― continued the Hare, ― But what else, what else do you dream about?
Yes, I want us to never quarrel with my best friend Pyf over trifles. It always upsets me so much, ― complained the little bear, and his eyes became sad again.
Well then, ― concluded the Hare, ― those dreams of yours are the New Year!
All the rest of the day Mishutka thought about what the Hare had told him. Could it really be that simple: you wish for something, and it comes true? How does that work?
It was getting dark. The first stars appeared in the sky, and the little bear hurried back to the clearing where he had met the Hare that day. Inside, he felt a strange sensation, as if something very unexpected and joyful was about to happen.
The Hare was already waiting for him. But not empty-pawed. He had brought hot fragrant black currant tea in a thermos and cups, set it all on a stump, and settled down comfortably, looking up at the sky.
Hare! Hare! Has it started already? ― gasped Mishutka breathlessly, plopping into a snowdrift next to the Hare and breathing heavily.
Shh, almost. Very soon the New Year will come, and all our dreams will start to come true little by little, ― whispered the Hare with a smile. Then he took a cup of fragrant hot tea, slowly inhaled its aroma, closed his eyes in pleasure, and carefully took a sip.
And Mishutka couldn't wait to see the New Year: "What is it like, how does it make wishes come true?".
The little bear silently watched the sky. Stars were scattered across it like beads. Some sparkled brighter, some dimmed, and then began to shine with even greater force.
And then, through the silence of the winter forest, he heard familiar footsteps. The excited bear suddenly turned in that direction. And he saw in the distance... his mother, the she-bear! She was bounding toward Mishutka in huge quick leaps, though she was limping heavily on one paw. From joy, little Mishutka's heart beat so fast that it seemed it would burst from his chest.
Mama! ― roared Mishutka so loudly that the Hare sitting nearby jumped and dropped his cup of tea.
And the she-bear was already right there. She held her son tightly in her huge furry paws. Then she sighed with relief, smiled, and looked at him with the same tenderness and affection as she usually did before bedtime, tucking him under her side and covering him with her big warm paw. The little bear felt at ease and calm. He immediately felt safe. After all, his mama was with him again.
The she-bear was also incredibly happy. Her greatest dream had come true: she saw her little rascal again. Months ago, she had been caught in a trap and badly injured her paw. Hunters took her to them, treated her, and left her to live in an enclosure at a zoo corner in a children's park.
There were other animals there that children and their parents came to see. But the she-bear missed her little cub terribly. Because of this, she ate poorly, slept little, and often growled sadly and mournfully. The park owner understood that the she-bear wouldn't adjust, and asked the hunters to return her to the wild.
Friends, has the New Year started already? ― cried Pyf in alarm, who had just run to the clearing with a large jar of raspberry jam. ― I was in such a hurry, but it looks like I'm late again!
You're not late, you're not late! Sit down here! ― reassured him the Hare.
The hedgehog scurried over on his little legs and sat down next to Mishutka.
I'm so glad you came, ― murmured the little bear affectionately and moved closer to his friend.
Then they all fell silent. And quietly began to watch the magical starry sky. The forest too had grown still, with only the occasional crack of branches from the frost.
Mishutka, overflowing with happiness and joy to the tips of his ears, looking into the distance, whispered softly:
So that's what you're like, New Year!
