Old Man Winter was busy, very busy! He was painting the world white with fluffy snow. But one little snowdrift, smaller than all the others, felt worried. ‘I’m not big and strong like the other drifts,’ she whispered. ‘I’m just…little.’ She tried to puff herself up, to look important, but it didn’t work. She just felt colder.
A tiny robin, with feathers the color of sunset, landed near the little snowdrift. He was shivering! ‘Brrr,’ chirped the robin. ‘It’s a chilly winter evening. I’m looking for a safe place to rest my wings.’ The little snowdrift, despite feeling small, offered the robin a sheltered spot behind her.
The robin snuggled into the snowdrift, and slowly, he began to warm up. ‘Thank you,’ he said, his voice sleepy. ‘You’re very kind.’ The little snowdrift felt a warm glow inside, much warmer than the cold winter air. It wasn’t about being big or strong; it was about being helpful.
Soon, a little field mouse scurried by, looking for a place to escape the wind. The little snowdrift welcomed him too, making a cozy nook beside the robin. Then came a sleepy bumblebee, who had gotten lost in the cold. The little snowdrift didn’t mind sharing her space. She was becoming a haven for sleepy creatures!
As more and more animals nestled into the snowdrift, she began to feel…comfortable. She wasn’t trying to be big anymore. She was simply being herself, a warm and welcoming place for friends. The robin, the mouse, and the bee all thanked her for her kindness.
Old Man Winter, watching from above, smiled. He noticed the little snowdrift wasn’t trying to be something she wasn’t. She was using her size to *help* others. He sent a gentle flurry of snowflakes to surround her, making her even cozier.
The little snowdrift felt so peaceful, surrounded by her friends. She realized that being small wasn’t a bad thing at all. It meant she could offer shelter in different ways, creating a safe and snug space for everyone. She felt a wonderful, sleepy feeling wash over her.
‘It’s okay to rest now,’ whispered the robin, already drifting off to sleep. ‘Winter is a time for quiet and dreams.’ The little snowdrift closed her snowy eyes, feeling grateful for her friends and for the peacefulness of the winter night. She knew that even the smallest among us can make a big difference, and that rest is important for everyone.
And as the snowflakes continued to fall, the little snowdrift and all her friends drifted off into the warmest, most peaceful winter sleep, dreaming of spring and sunshine. Sweet dreams, little one. It’s time for *you* to rest too.