Author: Ashima Kaushik

Up north, in the Himalayas, everyone was busy getting ready for winter sleep. It is the time of low or no activity when the weather is harsh and cold.

It started snowing early this year. Soft fluffy snow was everywhere—covering the bushes, trees, hills, paths, roads, windows and rooftops. With sunlight sparkling on the snowflakes, it was a beautiful winter wonderland!

Everyone was busy doing their last-minute preparation.

Ruby the rabbit and her family had dug up deep burrows and stocked up on carrots, soup cans and pickles.

Fanny the fox made sure her storeroom was full of food, wood, oil, nuts and books. She bought a new mattress and some cushions as well.

Pam the badger bought sweet-smelling candles. And a lot of yarn for her grandma. Grandma loved knitting blankets while telling folk tales all winter long. She surprised Grandpa with a new treadmill as well. Grandpa loved his indoor gym.

‘Who wants to be outside in the cold and chilly winds to search for food or play? You stock up on food and games to keep yourself busy,’ said Limo the Rubyn be tricky. He did not want to fall, slip on the ice and get hurt. So, he would need to finish his work before the storm started, he thought.

‘Did you hear that?’ asked Matto, stopping for a moment in the middle of the snowball fight.

‘I heard some noise, yes,’ said Pam with round, scared eyes.

‘I think it came from behind the bush trail,’ agreed Roxy.

‘I am sure it is Zimba, let’s catch him,’ said Fanny, grabbing a stick and moving ahead.

‘Yes, if we work together, we can catch him,’ said Sunny, following everyone.

Swoopy Snow Owl came and softly landed on Matto’s shoulder. He told them that Zimba was by the waterfall at the end of the path. They found some pugmarks in the snow.

‘Some look like his pugmarks,’ said Fanny, ‘Looks like he is dragging something along!’

They all huddled together and slowly walked in the soft snow. ‘Maybe that is his knife!’ said Matto.

‘He does not need any knives. He has claws!’ whispered Roxy.

They reached the waterfall; the sunlight was fading away, and it was getting dark. They all hid behind Matto now, wondering what to do next.

Suddenly, they heard a purr and something fell on Matto’s head. It was Zimba, his tail dangling in front of Matto’s face.

Everybody got scared and stepped back. Pam and Roxy hid in the soft snow. Zimba lost his balance and fell on the snow and rolled. Finally, he got up and sheepishly invited them all into his den.

Nobody had been in Zimba’s den ever. Curious, they all followed him into his den.

It smelled good inside, like fresh lime. Zimba offered them all fresh popsicles he had just made using lemonade and orange juice. Without a word, they all grabbed the popsicles and tasted them. They were delicious!

They all relaxed a bit and looked accusingly at Matto. Taking another popsicle from the bucket, Matto asked in a suspicious tone, ‘Where is your sharp and pointy knife?’

Zimba laughed, ‘I don’t need any knives. I have my claws. I dug and scooped snow with my claws like this, put it on the stick like this, poured lemonade like this and topped it up with orange juice like this, and voila, the popsicles were ready!’ he said while showing them what he did with his hands.

‘I worked hard to build this cart. I use a snowboard, put the bucket in it, drag it along and sell popsicles all winter long. Especially before the winter storm,’ said Zimba and showed them his cart.

With eyes full of wonder, they all looked at him.

‘So, this is what you were up to! You mean you are not a thief with a shiny knife and all?’ asked Sunny.

‘What gave you that idea?’ Zimba laughed and held his metal walking stick in his mouth. ‘Come, let me show you all a fun thing,’ he marched out of his den. His metal walking stick shone in the moonlight, like the knife that Matto had seen.

Everyone was staring at Zimba’s walking stick, and they did not see him scooping snow and rolling it into a ball until he threw it at Matto.

He quickly made another snowball and threw it at Sunny. That started a snowball fight all over again.  They all laughed and played before finally going back to their homes for hibernation—the deep winter sleep.

As for Zimba, he sold popsicles on his cart and was welcomed by everyone.