So what happened next?
In the very heart of the North Pole, in a distant, snow-covered valley, there was an elf village. Narrow paths, like silver threads, connected small but cozy houses covered with snow-white caps. In the heart of the village was a toy factory, the main source of joy for children around the world.
But this season, in the midst of the preparations for Christmas, winter suddenly showed its harsh nature. A strong snowstorm hit the village. Snow covered everything around, blocking paths and hiding the outlines of houses. The toy factory, which always worked without stopping, now looked sad and abandoned. A thick layer of frost covered the windows, through which light barely penetrated. The elves were forced to stop work to ensure the safety of their homes.
Dear Yeti!
We need your help urgently! There was a terrible snowstorm here at the North Pole. Everything was covered in snow. The workshops of Santa's factory are at a standstill. If they are not running, the elves will not be able to make toys! We really need helpers! Please come quickly!
Sincerely yours,
Samantha
Two days later, Yeti was already knocking on Samantha's door.
- Oh, dear Yeti, I'm so glad you were able to come quickly! Here, drink some cocoa, you need to warm up.
- Thank you, Auntie. And now tell me more about what happened.
- A week ago, a terrible wind rose at night and brought huge clouds with snow. The snowfall did not stop for several days, all the houses here were covered up to the roofs!
- I thought snowfalls were common here.
- Not at all! Snow falls right at the beginning of winter, and after that there is usually frosty and clear weather until spring. In December, in my memory, there has never been such snowfall. But that's not all!
- Did something else happen?
- After the snowfall, the elves took inventory of the toy warehouse and found a significant shortage. Apparently, someone is stealing toys.
- Well, well...
- Yes, we can't dawdle. We need to restore the factory and the elf village, find the thief, and make up for the shortfall! I won't let the thief keep anyone from getting a toy for Christmas!
Yeti, Samantha and the elves got to work. First, they restored the village so that its inhabitants would have a place to rest and gain strength to fight the consequences of the snowstorm. They cleared the paths, restored the Warming Houses and the Snowman Houses.
After that, it was the factory's turn. Thanks to their joint efforts, the factory was soon ready for work. The Plush-Toy Workshop, the Packing Workshop, the Toy Warehouse, and the Beauty Workshop were shining like new.
While digging through the huge snowdrifts around the workshops, Yeti and Samantha discovered several missing elves, deer, snowmen and... letters?
- What do you think these letters are, Yeti?
- Hmm... Judging by the writing on the envelope, these are letters to Santa, but there is no stamp on them. So Santa didn't receive them.
- Do you think we will have time to prepare a gift for the authors of these letters?
- Oh, Samantha, this one is dated the year before last. And that letter is from last year. I'm afraid we are too late. But what's worse is that both letters were written by the same hand. Did someone really write letters to Santa every year and not receive a gift?
- Show me... I swear by the Christmas spirit, this is Jack Frost's handwriting. Jack is responsible for the winter cold here, and this year he suddenly made a blizzard. I was wondering why he did this. I can't believe that his letters got lost and he hasn't received gifts for several years!
- He must have stolen the toys from the warehouse to get revenge on Santa! We need to find him and explain everything!
Samantha and Yeti went to Jack Frost's house, showed the letters and told how they found them. It turned out that Jack was so offended that he had not left the house for a long time. So, it was not he who stole the toys. The friends promised to personally deliver his letters to Santa, and Jack joined them to find the thief.
Not far from Jack's house, Yeti came across strange tracks leading into the forest. Suspicious tracks. Small but deep, as if they were carrying something heavy. For example, a large toy. The friends decided to check where they were leading. Along the way, they came across pieces of old stuffing near the tracks.
- Elf Snowflakes told me that such stuffing has not been used at the factory for a long time, - Samantha remembered.
- So our thief is an old plush toy? But why would a toy steal toys? - Yeti chuckled.
- Now we will find out everything! I see him! It's a teddy bear! - Jack exclaimed and pointed to the shadow between the trees ahead. - Got you, toy thief! Tell me, why did you steal toys?
- So that they would not be abandoned, like me! My owner grew up and I was put away in the attic, and then thrown out! I do not want this to happen to anyone else.
- I understand you, - Jack sighed. - Just yesterday I also thought that no one needed me. But if you open your heart and let people get to know you better, you will find many friends. For example, I will be happy to be friends with you.
- Really? But I'm so old...
- No problem! Come with us! Everything is ready in the Beauty Workshop. Elves are masters of their craft, they will fix you in a jiffy!
- Now I know that failures should not make us lose faith in goodness. After all, there are so many good people around, ready to help in difficult times! Thank you, friends!