Бесплатный фрагмент - Ollie’s Winter Dream

On this winter evening, I can’t wait to introduce you to a wonderful boy named Oliver. His

parents and friends call him Oli.

He’s sitting at his parents’ big desk, carefully writing a letter to Santa with his most treasured wish. The warm light of the desk lamp shines on his reddish hair, making it seem to glow. His blue eyes sparkle with hope and excitement, and his rosy cheeks dimple with a sweet smile.

Let’s take a closer look at the desk and see what Oli is dreaming of. On the sheet of paper, in big, uneven letters, is just one word: «Mountains.»

He folds the paper, jumps up from his chair, and runs to the beautifully decorated Christmas tree. He slips the paper underneath, closes his eyes, and says, «Please make my wish come true, Santa.»

Then the hopeful little boy goes to get ready for bed. But before he falls asleep, let’s ask him why he dreams of visiting those snowy peaks.

Without a moment’s hesitation, he rattles off:

«They’re so amazing, powerful, and beautiful! People look so tiny next to them, so the mountains must be really strong. Maybe they can tell me the secret of their strength. And I’ve heard that grown-ups play there just like kids do. I’d really love to see that! New Year’s is only a few days away, and I can’t wait for Santa to make my dream come true.»

From then on, Oli spends every day dreaming about the mountains. He asks his parents what he should bring and what he should wear, and he packs his backpack. But he’ll tell you what happened next himself.

— The day I’d been waiting for all year had finally arrived. Somehow, I woke up before everyone else and ran to the Christmas tree. There was no news there, so I put on my warmest coat, grabbed the backpack I’d packed, and went to wake Mom and Dad.

I shouted that it was New Year’s Day, hoping they’d tell me we were going to the mountains. I was the happiest boy in the world when Dad said that after breakfast, we’d be heading to the mountains for a whole week. I smiled so hard my cheeks even started to hurt.

After breakfast, my parents’ friends came over. Then we all piled into the car and set off.

On the way, I couldn’t think about anything except when we’d finally reach the mountains. I stared eagerly out the car window, watching the trees and little streets we passed. I wanted to remember everything and enjoy getting closer to those magnificent mountains.

When I spotted some small, snowy peaks in the distance, I jumped up on my seat and kept pointing at them through the window, hoping I could somehow touch them. «There they are! They’re so close! We’ve arrived!» I cried.

But it turned out the peaks were much farther away than I’d thought…

When the car stopped, the first thing I saw was a big, unusual, triangular house covered in snow.