Two Friends — A Tale of Winter, Friendship, and Courage

Once upon a time, in a distant land shrouded by endless snow, there lived a humble farmer named Pavel. Once, he had a dear friend, the Winter Ghost, a spirit of frost and mist. But a small quarrel, petty and meaningless, had turned their friendship cold as ice.

In this land, when the Winter Ghost roamed, he brought with him an enchantment of biting cold, making the air itself freeze—unless Pavel kindled his hearth with roaring fires.

One evening, a desperate old woman arrived at Pavel’s door. She was the mother of the Winter Ghost, cloaked in frost and worry.

“Farmer,” she pleaded, “my son, the Winter Ghost, is not himself. The wicked Winter Queen has kidnapped and enchanted him! She holds him captive in her Ice Castle across the frozen lake. Please, help bring him back!”

Pavel’s heart softened. He remembered the warmth of their friendship before the frost of discord had settled. Without hesitation, Pavel vowed to help. But the journey was perilous, so he sought assistance from his neighbor, a wise and graceful crane of Ibycus, a bird of ancient knowledge.

“Fly me to the palace of the Winter Queen,” Pavel asked. The crane agreed and soared through the frozen skies, carrying Pavel until they reached the edge of the icy lake, where stone beaches glistened like silver.

Yet the crane dared not fly further—spells and cold winds guarded the castle. Armed with only his binoculars, Pavel gazed across the lake and saw a heart-chilling sight: the Winter Ghost stood on the castle balcony, kissing the Winter Queen. His heart clenched in sorrow—was their friendship truly lost?

Determined, Pavel stepped onto the frozen lake, careful with each step lest the ice crack beneath him. In the middle of his cautious journey, he met an amphibian, who whispered a strange but crucial clue:

“To break the spell and enter the castle, you must cool your body in the lake’s waters. Seek the hole in the ice and dive deep.”

Though shivering at the thought, Pavel did as he was told. Beneath the ice, he discovered a broken, enchanted mirror that once belonged to the Winter Ghost—a gift from the legendary Achilles, shattered by the Winter Queen’s careless hand.

Emerging from the lake, his body numb but his resolve burning, Pavel sneaked into the castle’s courtyard. He spied his ghostly friend once more and, in a hushed hum, sang the old friendship song they once shared—a song known to evoke a thousand winter stories.

The melody stirred the Ghost’s frozen heart. His mind began to clear. He descended to the courtyard to meet Pavel, though his body was still cold as death. Before they could escape, the Winter Queen stirred in her chambers. Thinking quickly, the Ghost told her he was merely visiting her winter raven, a sinister bird that carried messages between the Queen and her evil sister, the Forest Witch.

The Queen was appeased, but danger lurked ahead. The witch’s magic ruled the dark forest beyond the lake, and with her, an old wolf, trained to harm any who dared trespass. As Pavel and the Ghost fled, the Queen dispatched the raven to alert her sister, who sent the old wolf to intercept them.

As the wolf approached, snarling and ready to pounce, Pavel recalled an ancient druidic legend:

“Look into the wolf’s eyes—deep and steady. See his winter soul reflected, and he shall become a gentle dog.”

Pavel stood firm and gazed deep into the wolf’s icy eyes. The beast’s fury softened, his growl turned into a whimper, and he quietly turned away, leaving them unharmed.

Finally, they emerged from the cursed forest. As they stepped onto the familiar grounds of home, the first buds of spring began to blossom, chasing away the bitter frost. The Ghost, warmed by Pavel’s steadfast friendship, shed the last of his curse and became fully himself again.

Moral of the Story

True friendship can thaw even the coldest of hearts. With courage, patience, and faith in old wisdom, we can overcome the chill of anger, misunderstandings, and enchantments.