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derstand the language of animals and birds as well as that of
the wind, trees and snowflakes. You’ll be my assistant, better
than I’d dreamed. You will be the one to help me understand
the world of people, too complicated for me, an old magician, to
see into. You and I, we’ll help the weak and half-frozen and we’ll
also spread joy to those without it.’
‘My mum, what about my mum?’ The girl sounded desper-
ate. ‘She’s very ill. Can you cure her? I mean, grandpa, I’m saved
and it’s you who did it, right?’
‘But you were a little half-frozen girl, grabbed by the Snow
Witch while I wasn’t looking. I brought you from the forest in
my magic warm pocket together with other half-frozen ani-
mals. As simple as that. I gave you some miraculous elixir, a bit
risky as it was, but not a problem again. As for your mother…
Would I save her? I’m not sure, darling, I hadn’t had much con-
tact with humans. We’ll have to ask the Snow Queen; she has a
stock of magic things, she may give something to your mum –
winter time makes her kind.’
‘How do I find the Snow Queen?’
‘No use of trying to find her, she is to be here today. She’s got
something to talk about, so have I,’ Frost rumbled.
He grabbed his wonderful staff and struck it upon the floor.
A snow cloud disgorged from the staff, swayed its sides and
floated towards the opposite wall. There it sighed and blew a
snow whirl. The whirl bounced, then spun around on the spot
until its power was gone and there, against the wall, where it
lay down, showed up a crystal table covered with a snow white
cloth. Father Frost stroke his beard, satisfied, then opened the
cupboard and a cunning smile narrowed his eyes.

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