Song of the Northern Wind — An Arctic Fairy Tale About Restoring Winter

In the distant Arctic, where icy plains stretch to the very horizon, lived a brother and sister — Nika and Arthur. Their village was surrounded by snowy fields, but this year winter became strange. The wind barely blew, the snow melted faster than usual, and the frost no longer nipped their cheeks as it used to.

"Winter seems to have lost its power," said Arthur, looking at the thin layer of ice covering the river. Nika nodded, "Maybe the nature spirits are upset?" Suddenly, a strange whirlwind descended from the sky, and before them appeared a tall, translucent silhouette. It was the spirit of the northern wind. Her hair flowed like the Northern Lights, and her voice sounded like the whisper of icebergs.

"You are right, children," she said. "I have lost my song, the melody that gives strength to winter. Without it, snow and ice cannot keep the earth in balance." Arthur asked, "Can we help you find it?" The wind nodded, "The melody has scattered into three parts. Find them, and winter will regain its strength."

The first place the spirit led them was at the base of an icy mountain. "The first fragment is hidden here," she said. But the path to the summit was blocked by a landslide of ice. "We can't climb," Nika said. "You can if you are careful," the wind whispered. The children noticed that the pieces of ice formed steps and began to climb cautiously. At the top, they found a small silver bell that emitted a soft sound, resembling a note of a song.

The crystal then led them to a frozen lake. "The next part of the melody is here," she said. But the ice was thin, and walking on it was dangerous. "We need to find a place where the ice is thicker," Arthur suggested. They threw a stick to test the ice's strength and finally found a safe spot. Under the ice, they noticed a small crystal that glowed with a soft blue light. Nika retrieved it using a long branch.

The final fragment lay in a cave surrounded by snowy curtains. Inside the cave, it was quiet, but icicle stalactites hung from the ceiling, each emitting a faint sound. "To find the fragment, you must play the correct melody," said the spirit. The children began to gently strike the stalactites, matching the right notes. When they played the correct melody, one of the stalactites cracked, and a golden sphere — the last fragment of the song — fell out.

Having gathered all the pieces, the children returned to the spirit. "Now I can restore winter's strength," she said. The spirit merged the bell, crystal, and golden sphere. The resulting melody was magical: it filled the air with frosty freshness, snow began to fall from the sky, and the icy wind dispersed the clouds.

"You have saved winter," said the spirit, looking at the children with gratitude. "Now the Arctic will be strong again. You have proven that even small hearts can accomplish great deeds." She gifted them an icy amulet that glowed softly. "This amulet will protect you and remind you of your bravery."

When Nika and Arthur returned to the village, they were greeted by joyful villagers. Snow covered the land, the ice on the river became sturdy, and the air was once again filled with winter's chill. From that day on, every year when snow swirled in the sky, the children remembered the spirit of the northern wind and the song they helped restore.