Chapter 1

The beginning

It was a very cold and stormy winter. There was a house in the north of Russia where lived a large family- The Claus family. On the night of 2nd of December, Missis Claus brought to the world the seventh child of her family- a little boy named Nicholas. He had very big and deep blue eyes, a red nose, cheeks and ears, and a little bit of white like fair hair.

When his mom saw him she thought: “You’re the most wonderful creature in the world...”.

Chapter 2

Little Nicky

Years passed and Nicky became more and more naughty. He had a real talent in designing different mechanisms and objects and he used it to make a lot of traps and jokes on his siblings because they behaved differently with him. Nicky’s brothers and sisters knew that he is special, that’s why they were jealous.   

Nicky also didn’t love his dad because he was greedy and strong. Also, Nicky hated celebrations, especially Christmas, because no one gave him presents.

   Once his mom got ill and Nicky became desperate, angry and confused at the same time. He didn’t understand why the world is so cruel. Nicholas began to stay alone for hours because the time you feel lonely is the time you most need to be by yourself.

    He was afraid to visit his mom because there is nothing more painful than to see your mother sick, but once he decided. 

Nicky opened slowly the door of the room where was sitting Missis Claus. The room was less lighted. He was so excited that he couldn’t see clearly things in the room. He only saw a bed with canopy toward which he walked slowly, step by step.

Reaching the endpoint Nicky turned the canopy aside and saw his mom sleeping and her exhausted and pale face, her dark thick with some white threads hair, but he thought:” You've been through so many years, but you are still wonderful...”. 

-Mommy?

-Nicky? Is it you? - She whispered.

- Yes mommy, I am. How do you feel? You look so tired.

-I feel pretty good. Stay with me for a moment , please. -replied mom.

 Nicky laid beside her in silence.

-So tell me the truth. How are you? -asked Missis Claus.

-I’m f...-Nicky stopped, thought a little and continued.- I love you, mom! I’m so excited about you. Please, get healthy!

- I love you too, my dear. And if you really want to see me healthy,-coughed mom-, you have to become obedient, responsible and brave.

- I will, mommy, I will.

-You have a special ability, use it in the right way. Just believe in a miracle, believe in you. -she stared at him with her blue eyes in which Nicky saw an entire ocean and the unlimited sky. He saw the last gleam of life. Mom closed her eyes and fell asleep. Nicky was thinking for a few moments and fell asleep, too.                              

The next day Nicholas was woken up by his father saying to get out the room. Nicky got up and looked at his sleeping mom.He started to cry and scream embracing her corpse:

-No way! Why?! I had one more chance. Please, mom! Don’t leave me!

  Then he looked at his father and yelled:

-It’s your fault! It’s your fault! She was unhappy!You, cruel man!

  At that moment father grabed his hand and pulled him out the room and closed the door. Nicky sat down  on the floor in front of the door and covered the face with his hands. He was still crying. 

After the funeral, Nicky became very silent and removed.

  A few years passed and Nicky kept all his malice and fury in his heart. Some of his siblings got married and left the home. When Nicky was 19 years old his dad got sick. 

They didn’t talk too much and the only thing dad said before death was:

-I give you my wooden cane. Please, receive it. And now open the wardrobe. On the top shelf must be a box. Get it. It’s from your mother.

Nicky put the cane aside and did how his dad said.

Nicholas couldn’t open the box. It was too emotional for him. That’s why he hid it in the farthest corner of his wardrobe.           

Chapter 4

                    Harvey

Once he decided to collect money through repairing others’ goods. And he did. Nicky collected enough money and moved to Norway and opened a clock repair store.

A lot of years Nicholas walked his days just through working in this store. Every day he woke up, took his breakfast, went to work, came home, took the dinner and went to sleep. And so again and again.

He didn’t have another occupations or pleasures and was very contemptuous and grouchy. There was a little puppy what always was standing and looking for play near Nicholas’ store. Even this wonder annoyed him.

  It was Christmas and a typical day for Nicholas. He was busy with repairing an old clock. Suddenly a boy who was running to his store stopped in front of it. Recovering his breath, he tried to say something. After a few seconds the boy said:

-G...Good afternoon, Mr. My name is Harvey. I have a big trouble. Please. Can you give me a hand of help? 

Nicholas listened to Harvey without stopping the work. While Harvey was recovering, Nicholas leaned on the counter and looked at him from head to toes.

Harvey was a little boy in dirty and a little bite ripped clothes, with a grey peak cap, what obviously was too large for him, and a brown, worn out pair of shoes. After this analysis Nicholas shouted:

-Go away, you, slick thief!

  Harvey resolutely said:

-Please, Mr. Nicholas. I’m orphan. I don’t know anything about my mather and my father. The only thing I have left from my dad is this Teddy bear. And now some older boys broke it. Please help me to repair him. I'm left without parents, but I’m still a good boy. Please.  

Nicholas looked at him carefully once more. He saw Harvey’s teary eyes and realized that he isn’t a member of a gang of bad boys. Contrary, Harvey is a boy who even if he hasn’t a family he enjoys the little pleasures of life. So, Nicholas replied:

-Give me your Teddy bear.

  Nicky analyzed the toy and observed that the mechanism was pulled out. In a few minutes, he repaired it and sewed some ruptures. Harvey was very anxious, but when Nicky gave him the toy that looked like new one Harvey exhaled:

-Thank you a lot, sir! I owe. Goodbye Mr. Nicholas.

-Goodbye, Harvey. -replied Nicholas with a soft voice.

At that moment he felt an unexplained warmth somewhere in his chest. He realized that there is something innocent, precious and magic in the world and, especially, in people. There are love and loyalty.

  At the end of the day, when Nicky closed the store and was about to go home, the little puppy drew his attention. Nicky looked at that wool knot and said with a smile:

-You look so lonesome. What? Are you looking for food or play?-Nicky laughed when the puppy wagged his tail and barked. –Oh, come with me.

Nicky brought him at his home. He opened the door and entered, but the puppy sat in front of it.

-What? Come in! – and puppy started to run all over the flat.

  Nicky fed, took a bath and placed him near his bad. Nicky named him “Snowball”. The puppy was white and little, like a real snowball.

  The next day at the store approached Harvey with a bag. He took from it some toys and said:

-Good morning, Mr. Nicholas. -Harvey observed that Nicholas look differently now.His features softened. - Excuse me.You look more pleasant today.Can you give me one more hand of help? Can you repair some of my friends’ toys?

- Hello Harvey. Replied Nicholas. Put the toys there and come in.

  All day they repaired toys together. It was a pleasure for both. After this Nicholas decided to begin to make and repair toys and Harvey became his helper.

Chapter 5

  Elza

Once, in the evening, Nicholas was going home. He saw a rink and thought “It’s gonna be funny. I hope.” He ordered a pair of skates. When Nicky tried to skate he realized that it’s so difficult and dangerous. He was afraid to fall down. While this someone pushed him. Nicky struggled to find balance, fell down and saw in his front a lady. 

She said worriedly:

- Oh! I’m so sorry. That’s my fault. I should be more careful. Are you alright?

- Yes. I’m. Answered Nicholas. No, I’m guilty. I shouldn’t skate if I can’t. He tried to stand up and the woman gave him a hand of help. 

  When their eyes met they stared at each other for a few seconds. He thought “ There’s something magic about her. She is familiar. Her eyes are burning with love and kindness. Her bright smile, red nose, brown and childish eyes, warm hands - all is ideal.” Nicky’s heart was torn.

  At this time the lady saw a man with blue, icy eyes and a silver hair and beard. He was strong but his square shaped face was so pretty. It’s impossible not to fall in love with him.  

She was ashamed of that thoughts and tried to pass this awkward situation:

- So..Is it your first time on the rink?

- Yes. It is. Can you help me? It will be a pleasure for me.

- For me, too. By the way, my name is Elza.

- Nicholas. Nice to meet you.

   He took her hand and skated slowly. They were talking, falling down and laughing. It was a wonderful time for both. After that Nicholas proposed her to accompany her to home.

It was a beautiful evening.

The light of the full moon reflected on the snow. In this way, all over the street was illuminated. They were talking about their work, past, and future, pleasant and bad moments. Nicky found out that Elza dwelled at his aunt. Now she’s a governess and the only one she wants is to see aurora borealis. He was amazed at all she talked about. After their dispersion, Nicky realized that Elza is sweet, right and merciful. She is the most sincere and innocent person. Like she slithered here from Eden.

Elza thought that he is special. He is thoughtful, honest, caring, charming and invaluable. His eyes and words are so icy, but he burns.

Chapter 6

The hidden power 

Months passed. Everything was all right. Nicky spent all his time in the store with Harvey and out it- with Elza. Nicky thought to make a surprise for her and planned a little trip.

  They walked with the carriage to the North for 2 days and 1 night and arrived on second evening. It was just a snowy field. There were seen big and bright mountains and down them – small fir forests. All these combined with the serene sky and formed a beautiful image.

- It’s awesome! What a wonderful view! But why did you bring me so far away? -asked Elza excitedly.

- What the day is today? - answered Nicholas quietly.

- The 24th of December.

- Christmas.

   Nicky took out of his bag a well-packed box and handed it to her. Elza looked at him and began to unpack the present. It was a doll of a boy in green clothes, long and spiral shoes and a striped cap with a bell on the top. Also, it had sharp ears, a small nose, and red cheeks.

Elza was amazed.

- Oh, Nicky! -she exclaimed. He’s so cute. I’ll name him... Billy.

- Now, look at the sky.

-What am I waiting for? -asked Elza confusedly.

- You usually have to wait for that which is worth waiting for.

 At this time on sky appeared some green rose lines what united and formed a wave or a track. It was an incredible image. It was aurora borealis.

- Oh! Nicky! 

  Elza couldn’t hold her emotions and started crying. While Elza was staring at the sky and wiping her crystalline tears. Nicky was looking at her because he knew that there is nothing more beautiful than her and her smile.