My name is Snezhа, and I am a snowflake. I was born high up in the sky, in a big winter cloud. My mother cloud told us snowflake sisters that soon the time would come when we would have to fly down to the earth. This is called the first snow. The hardest part is choosing where to land.
You must think very carefully about where you want to be, my mother cloud told us. When the time comes, you will spin in the wind and fly downward.
I want to land in the forest! said my youngest sister. I heard that there are beautiful fluffy fir trees there, and on their soft branches our sisters gather into soft snow-white winter hats. And under the little tree there are always magnificent snowdrifts.
And I want to land near a big and beautiful lake, said my older sister.
What's interesting about a winter lake? I was curious why one would fall near frozen water.
They say that winter lakes are very beautiful. Sometimes the water doesn't freeze completely and under the ice crust you can see how strange little fish swim. I really want to see them.
Mother cloud, can I not fall to the earth as the first snow? I didn't want to leave home at all, especially since I couldn't figure out where I wanted to go.
How can that be, Snezhа? All your sisters have already decided where they will fly, and you want to stay? That's impossible. Snowflakes are born in the sky so that one day they will fall. That's how nature works.
So I will fall even if I don't know where I'm going? I asked my mother cloud.
Of course. Simply, if you don't decide, the wind will catch you and carry you to unknown lands.
So be it. Decided – I will fly downward wherever my eyes take me, and wherever I end up, let the wind decide. Days passed, and there were more and more snowflakes. My mother cloud could barely carry us through the sky. My sisters kept asking me if I had changed my mind about flying down without knowing the way. Some laughed behind my back, others sincerely wished me luck, and there were those who envied my courage. I myself was a little scared, but at the same time, I knew that the wind was our friend and would definitely take me to a good place.
Time went on, and the air became frostier with each day. The time of the first snow had come. As soon as the sun's rays appeared over the earth, my mother cloud told the snowflake children that it was time to set off. The snowflakes hugged each other goodbye and rushed downward with ringing laughter. Some flew in pairs, some alone, all joyfully spinning in a snowy dance, shimmering in the sun. I hesitated, very curious about where the wind would take me, and I decided to ask it:
My friend, Little Wind, where do you want to take me?
Snezhа, today we will fly over a small city where many people live. You can choose any place to fall – on a house roof or on the road, or maybe you'll want to meet someone from the residents. Believe me, everyone will be happy about the first snow.
The wind's words calmed me, and I decided to go for it. Closing my eyes, I fell. At first, from fear I couldn't breathe, but soon the fear turned into the joy of flying. What an unusual feeling – to fly into the unknown, spinning in the streams of wind. I saw how my sisters were already approaching the earth. When I flew over the forest, they cheerfully greeted me. Some had already fallen long ago and now lay on a fluffy snow drift resting.
But the wind carried me further and further. We flew over the lake where fish lived, and there my sisters greeted me joyfully. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to simply rush forward, not thinking about where I was destined to end up.
After some time, I felt the wind gradually becoming quieter and no longer pushing me so forcefully. When I opened my eyes to see what we were flying over, I was amazed. I saw a shining city decorated with glowing New Year lights. It turned out that while I was flying, dusk had already begun on the street.
Bright garlands decorated all the houses in the city. They sparkled and shimmered. On the windows, I noticed New Year snow patterns, and sometimes among the decorations I could see paper snowflakes. But for some reason, I didn't want to fall somewhere on the street or on a house roof. I wanted to see people up close, and I asked the little wind to take me where I could see them.
I know one place where you'll definitely like it, the wind whispered to me.
Then let's fly there quickly! I answered him.
The little wind was already tired from the long flight, so he only slightly swirled me as we flew toward the people. Finally, I saw many small children playing on a playground shaped like a fairy-tale castle. A little boy in a green jacket was trying to catch falling snow in his mouth, and I was frightened. I didn't want to be eaten, not after such a long journey.
Little wind, please don't take me to that boy, I asked the wind with all my might.
Snezhа, I'm very tired and can't fly any further. You'll have to choose where to land and fly there yourself. I brought you to the people as you wanted, and now I must go, the little wind said to me in a tired voice.
Of course, my friend, thank you for giving me such an incredible adventure. Give my regards to my mother cloud and tell her that everything is fine with me. I landed among people, I said sadly, saying goodbye to the little wind.
Goodbye, Snezhа, he said barely audibly.
The wind died down. Nothing carried me away anymore. I slowly, slowly fell down and could only move slightly to the right or left. I carefully studied the playground where I found myself. I was already far from the boy in the green jacket, so the danger of being eaten had passed. Suddenly, my attention was drawn to a girl who was spinning around herself, rejoicing in the snow.
I was so fascinated by her sweet little face, on which a smile shone, and listened to her ringing childish laughter, that I didn't notice how I had flown too close. The girl put out her hand in a beautiful fluffy red mitten, and I imperceptibly fell right on it.
Guys, guys, look at what a wonderful snowflake I caught! she cried out.
Many children, both very small and older, crowded around her in colorful jackets. And I looked at them from below.
Wow, I've never seen one so beautiful, said a boy in a yellow jacket. He reached out his hand and wanted to touch me, but the girl stopped him in time.
Don't touch it, or it will melt! she told him.
She's so unusual. She must have come from far away, said an older girl.
I looked at the children and was happy that I had landed here. And when everyone had gone, I said to the girl:
Hi, I'm Snezhа!
Oh, you can talk? Does that mean you're not an ordinary snowflake, but a magical one? she was surprised.
Yes, I only fall with the first snow, I answered her.
Wow! You're so beautiful!
Thank you. I didn't know where I wanted to fall. But now I'm glad you caught me. I can grant one of your wishes. What do you want? I wanted to make the girl happy.
Oh, I don't even know…
Don't be shy. Ask for anything, I encouraged her.
I want it to snow more often in winter! she said.
The girl's wish surprised me. But I had promised to grant her anything she wanted. So be it.
I will grant your wish. Just close your eyes and think about it very, very hard, I told the girl.
When the girl opened her eyes, the snowflake on the red mitten was gone. In its place was a small wet spot. "I didn't even say goodbye!" she thought and said aloud:
Goodbye Snezhа, I was happy to see you.
Goodbye, goodbye, came the familiar voice in response.
And that winter was the snowiest in a long time.
