Atondido Stories
"But Marushka," Great January said, "why are you here
again? What are you hunting now?"
"I'm hunting for strawberries," Marushka answered.
"Strawberries? But, Marushka, my child, it is winter and
strawberries do not grow in the snow."
Marushka shook her head sadly.
"I know that, sir, but my sister, Holena, says I must bring her
strawberries from the forest or she will kill me and my mother
says so, too. Please, sir, won't you tell me where I can find
some?"
Great January slowly stood up and walked over to the Month
who sat opposite him. He handed him the long staff and said:
"Here, June, you take the high seat."
So June took the high seat and began waving the staff over
the fire. The flames blazed high and with the heat the snow all
about melted instantly. The earth grew green; the trees decked
themselves in leaves; the birds began to sing; flowers bloomed
and, lo, it was summer! Presently little starry white blossoms
covered the ground under the beech trees. Soon these turned to
fruit, first green, then pink, then red, and, with a gasp of delight,
Marushka saw that they were ripe strawberries.
"Now, Marushka," June cried, "there are your strawberries!
Pick them quickly!"
Marushka picked an apronful of berries. Then she thanked
the Months politely, bade them good-bye, and hurried home.
Just imagine again Holena and the stepmother's surprise as they
saw Marushka coming through the snow with an apronful of
strawberries!
They opened the door and instantly the fragrance of the ber-
ries filled the house.
"Where did you get them?" Holena demanded rudely.
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