The Snowman.docx

THE SNOWMAN It had stopped snowing and the children, anxious for freedom, left home and began to run around the white and fluffy newly formed carpet. The blacksmith's daughter, taking handfuls of snow with her skilled hands, gave herself to the task of molding it. I will make a doll like the little brother I would have liked to have, he told himself. He came out a beautiful little boy, round, with charcoal eyes and a red button by mouth. The little girl was enthusiastic about her work and made the doll her inseparable companion during the sad days of that winter. I talked to him, I spoiled him ... But soon the days began to be longer and the rays of sun warmer ... The doll melted without leaving more trace of its existence than a puddle with two coals and a red button. The girl cried in dismay. A little old man, who was looking for warmth in the sun for his winter, said sweetly: Dry your tears, pretty, because you just received a great lesson: now you know that you should not put your heart in perishable things.

THE VANIDOUS CEDAR Once upon a time there was a cedar satisfied with its beauty. Planted in the middle of the garden, it surpassed all other trees in height. So beautifully arranged were its branches, that it looked like a gigantic chandelier. Planted in the middle of the garden, it surpassed all other trees in height. So beautifully arranged were its branches, that it looked like a gigantic chandelier. If with the beauty that I am, I would bear fruit, he told himself, no tree in the world could compare with me. And he decided to observe the other trees and do the same with them. Finally, at the top of his erect cup, I point out a beautiful fruit. I will have to feed him well so that he grows a lot, he told himself So much and that fruit grew that it became too big. The cup of the cedar, not being able to hold it, went doubled; and when the ripe fruit, the cup, which was the pride and glory of the tree, began to wobble until it stumbled heavily. How many men, like the cedar, their too much ambition ruins them!

THE CHARMED CAT There was a prince much admired in his kingdom. All the marriageable young women wanted to have him as a husband. But he did not notice any of them and spent his time playing with Zapaquilda, a beautiful kitten, next to the flames of home. One day, he said out loud: You are so loving and adorable that, if you were a woman, I would marry you. At the same moment the Fairy of the Impossible appeared in the room, who said: Prince your wishes have been fulfilled The young man, dazzled, discovered with him Zapaquilda, turned into a beautiful girl. The next day the weddings were celebrated and all the nobles and poor of the kingdom who attended the banquet were ecstatic before the beautiful and sweet bride. But, suddenly, they saw the young woman launch herself on a mouse that zigzagged around the room and zampárselo as soon as it had caught. The prince then began calling the Fairy of the Impossible to turn his wife into the kitten she had been. But the Fairy did not come, and no one has told us if he had to spend his life watching his wife give an account of all the palace mice.

THE NEW FRIEND It was a harsh winter day. The snow fell, the wind blew and Belinda played with some dwarfs in the forest. Suddenly there was a long howl. What is that? The girl asked.

It is the hungry wolf. You should not go out because I would devour you, explained the wise dwarf. The next day the howl of the wolf was heard again and Belinda, distressed, thought that everyone was unfair to the beast. In a carelessness of the dwarves, he left the house and left a basket of food on the snow. The next day the snow stopped and the wind died down. The girl went out for a walk and saw a beautiful white lamb approaching. Hello Hello! The girl said. Do you want to come with me? Then the lamb jumped on Belinda and the wolf, hidden, threw herself at him, reaching him with a bite. The cunning and malignant stepmother, she lost the skin of the animal with which she had disguised herself and escaped with frightening cries of pain and fear. Only then did the wolf turn to the mountain and Belinda felt her heart tremble, with joy, rather than for having saved herself, for having won a friend.

THE HONORED WOODMAN There was once a poor woodcutter who returned home after a hard day's work. When crossing a bridge over the river, the ax fell to the water. Then he began to mourn sadly: How will I earn my living now that I do not have an ax? Instantly oh, wonder! A beautiful nymph appeared on the water and said to the woodcutter: Wait, good man: I'll bring your ax. He sank into the current and soon after reappeared with a gold ax in his hands. The woodcutter said that was not his. For the second time the nymph submerged, to reappear later with another silver ax. Nor is mine mine, said the afflicted woodcutter. For the third time the nymph searched underwater. When he reappeared, he carried an iron ax. Oh thanks, thanks! That is mine! But, for your honesty, I give you the other two. You have preferred poverty to lies and you deserve a prize.