Page 25 - СКАЗКИ СНЕЖНОГО ЭЛЬФА

‘But you prefer an image of an elf kitten, don’t you?’
I asked, regarding the fluffy pointed-eared Snezhik.
‘Right, I’ve been in for this image for the last three
hundred years’, my friend nodded gravely. ‘But it was
not always like this and is not going to be.’
‘And what was it like three hundred years ago? What
made you turn like this and what did you use to look
like?’ I searched him with questions.
‘What did I use to look like? If I go into detail, you’d
freeze out, listening’, he smiled.’ Go home and wait for
me to come over and stay at your cornice. We’ll have a
talk then.’
Saying this, Snezhik dispersed, powdering with
snow, and soared up as a miraculous white blue-eyed
bird.
***
In the evening, after the whole household had dis-
persed to their bedrooms, and I’d snuggled in bed with
a book, I heard a tap on the pane. It sounded as if tiny
hailstones were knocking.
‘Snezhik, you’re back!’ I laughed lightly and opened
the window a crack, wrapping tight in a blanket.
‘Not likely to be frozen?’ Snezhik sounded worried.
‘Panes won’t muffle sounds.’
‘No problem. Let the room be aired’. I waved. ‘
Should I be frozen, I’ll close it, don’t worry. Go ahead,
tell me your story.’
‘Alright, listen now. Right after I was born, my par-
ents split for good and my mum, the Snow Queen, took

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