Page 124 - СКАЗКИ СНЕЖНОГО ЭЛЬФА

Music of spring

Snow is falling down. Slowly and steadily, snowflakes are
covering the ground, hiding accidentally thawed patches of
snow. Winter is still here, but the air is charged with vibration
of an implied promise that makes your heart beat faster. You
breathe in the deliciously moist, balsamic air, cheering your
heart. You don’t see but feel the sun smiling. It’ll be here soon.
‘Catching the scent of spring, are you?’ Snezhik comes out
of the blue.
‘Spring? You speak too soon.’ I feel surprised. ‘ Winter’s
still high: snow powdering, icy wind. Your cold company
does not seem to be about to leave.’
‘ Still no room for doubt. Spring is already here. Would
you like me to show it?’
‘Of course, I would.’
‘Close your eyes. No fear.’
I squeezed my eyes shut and felt the wind become solid; it
pulled me into a hug and away we went. In no time snow was
creaking under my feet again. I opened my eyes to find myself
standing at the edge of a forest clearing where sun splinters
were dancing. With no sun out. I took a good look to see a
girl, barely more than a child. She was dancing in the mid-
dle of the clearing, beads of sunlight ran over her. Her pale
face was glimmering in the cloud of hair, her bare shoulders
wrapped up in a flowery veil, her thin arms weaving invis-
ible patterns over her head. The girl was skipping and twirl-
ing round, her feet touching lightly the ground. The snow in-
stantly made way for her, and the ground, covered with last
year’s leaves, was glistening wet and sighed drowsily.

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