Marshak's tale was reprinted many times in Soviet time- and is being re-published now. It is included in the standard literature program for secondary schools. In 1947, it was first staged in a theater - at the Moscow Art Theater, and this production was followed by hundreds of others. In 1956, “Twelve Months” was adapted into a cartoon, and in 1972, it was filmed. In 1980, a cartoon was made based on the play in Japan.
New Year's rehabilitation
Cover of the play-fairy tale “Twelve Months” by Samuil Marshak. 1946 Russian State Children's Library“The Twelve Months” is a New Year’s fairy tale: its action takes place on December 31 and January 1. This chronological milestone is especially important if we remember that in the original Bohemian fairy tale, which Marshak adapted for the theater, the stepmother and sister send their stepdaughter into the forest for violets in mid-January, and not under New Year. The image of the New Year as a time of miracles and amazing incidents is repeatedly emphasized and played out in the play. Why did Marshak need this?
The resumption of the New Year celebration as an analogue and secular replacement of Christmas in the Soviet Union occurred after a long break only in 1935. Many parents and children, not to mention workers in child care institutions, had little idea how to celebrate the New Year: how to decorate a Christmas tree, organize a ritual of gift-giving, what performance to put on, what poems to read. Since 1936, special collections with scenarios for children's parties, poems about the Christmas tree and the New Year have been published to help parents, teachers and entertainers. Samuel Marshak also wrote a lot for such collections in the pre-war years. His play “Twelve Months” became probably the most popular Soviet script for the New Year, supporting the tradition of creating a family social holiday, which began in 1935.
War tale
“Twelve Months” was written in the winter of 1942 - in early spring 1943, at the height of the battle for Stalingrad. In his later memoirs, Marshak wrote that when creating his play, he tried to distance it as much as possible from the disturbing military events: “It seemed to me that in harsh times, children, and, perhaps, adults, need a cheerful festive performance, in a poetic fairy tale." However, he did not hide the fact that he wrote his dramatic work in between working for newspapers, writing leaflets and posters, and speaking at the front.
At first glance, there really is no war, no battles, no warring countries and nations in the play. However, it contains a story about the hard work that falls to the lot of the main character, and about the hardships that she endures in her stepmother's house. The first readers and viewers of the fairy tale could not help but pay attention to these details - after all, their already not the most prosperous lives were turned upside down by the war.
“Young Fritz”, directors Grigory Kozintsev and Leonid Trauberg. 1943However, in the play one can also see deeper connections with Soviet cultural history during the war. Marshak began in the 1920s as an author of plays for children's theater, but then abandoned this activity for a long time. In “Twelve Months” he returned to the dramatic form and immediately began writing text for a theatrical production. This was preceded by another experience - not of a theatrical, but of a cinematic kind: Marshak wrote a poetic script for the film by Grigory Kozintsev and Leonid Trauberg “Young Fritz” - about a German boy who was raised in the “true Aryan spirit”, then taken into service to the Gestapo, then sent on campaigns of conquest across European countries and, finally, to the Eastern Front, where he ended his military career, being captured. The film was made, but never released. Marshak believed that the reason for this was the too humorous and frivolous manner of production. A few months after the film was banned, Marshak took up the play.
Film studio "Soyuzmultfilm" In "The Twelve Months" there are clear structural echoes of "Young Fritz---" that force us to look at some scenes of the play differently. Both works caustically ridicule the slavish obedience in which subjects live in fascist Germany and the fairy-tale kingdom. But a particularly striking similarity appears in the endings of both works. Fritz and his military comrade, wrapped in women's fur coats and muffs, almost freeze to death in the winter of 1942 in a forest near Moscow - the winter forest becomes the place for their “test of strength.” The negative characters of “Twelve Months” - the queen, stepmother and daughter - undergo exactly the same test. The punishments that the winners distribute to the losers are also symmetrical: the Czech mother and daughter are turned into dogs by the magicians, and Fritz is placed in a cage in the zoo and shown to children on excursions. These transformations of bodies and souls were supposed to convey to the audience an obvious moral: selfish and stupid people, having begun to serve the forces of evil, deserve exclusion from the world of people.
Anti-totalitarian fairy tale
Still from the cartoon "Twelve Months". 1956 Film studio "Soyuzmultfilm" The definition of “anti-totalitarian fairy tale” is most often used in relation to the dramatic fairy tales of Evgeniy Schwartz “Shadow”, “Dragon” and “An Ordinary Miracle”, as well as to Tamara Gabbe’s fairy-tale play “City of Masters”. In this genre, under the guise of fairy-tale kingdoms and their inhabitants, the worst features of totalitarian states of the 20th century are depicted and the destructive impact they had on human psychology. It is not surprising that the anti-totalitarian fairy tale reached its heyday in Soviet literature during the war years, when, under the guise of satire on Nazi Germany it was possible to write and even publish satire, which was also aimed at the Soviet order. Of the war years, 1942-1943 became the most generous period for works of this genre, when “Twelve Months”, “City of Masters” and “Dragon” appeared.
Both Vasily Grossman wrote about the reasons for such productivity in the novel “Life and Fate”, and Marietta Chudakova in her articles on the history of Soviet literature: the Soviet state, and behind it the Soviet censorship, sensing mortal danger, somewhat weakened the pressure , and previously prohibited things began to appear in the press. However, by the summer of 1943, the pendulum swung in the opposite direction - the military thaw turned out to be very short-lived.
Still from the cartoon "Twelve Months". 1956 Film studio "Soyuzmultfilm" The motives for thoughtless disposal of other people's lives, groundless threats to take life because of the slightest whim of a narcissistic ruler are visible in “Twelve Months.” Everyone remembers the lesson scene in which the queen orders the execution of one of her subjects only because the word “execute” is shorter than “pardon”, and she categorically does not want to think about her own decision, as the professor asks her. In another episode, the Queen threatens to execute the head gardener because he could not find snowdrops in January. The mechanism of repressive fear is triggered, and the gardener, in a panic, declares the chief forester guilty.
Still from the cartoon "Twelve Months". 1956 Film studio "Soyuzmultfilm" In January, the queen decides to go for a walk in the forest to pick berries, nuts and plums. No one dares to contradict her, and the walk ends in a real disaster: having survived the change of all seasons in a few minutes, the queen and her courtiers are left in the forest without means of transportation and without winter clothing on one of the coldest winter days. Of course, this chain of events can only be perceived in a fairy-tale context, because the fairy tale was not a direct satire on Soviet reality. However, by the end of 1942, many had a growing feeling of uncertainty and dissatisfaction with the decisions that the country's leaders, including Stalin, were making both at the front and in the rear. Of course, the author of “Twelve Months” had to think about this more than once.
Apocalypse 1942
Still from the cartoon "Twelve Months". 1956 Film studio "Soyuzmultfilm" Marshak’s young queen is a ruler who, with her irresponsible decisions, radically changes the entire course of world events. In the fairy tale, she simply arranges the end of the world, from which everyone is saved only by a miracle:
Queen (angrily). There are no more months in my kingdom and there never will be! It was my professor who made them up!
Royal Prosecutor. I'm listening, Your Majesty! Will not be!
It's getting dark. An unimaginable hurricane is rising. The wind knocks down trees and carries away abandoned fur coats and shawls.
CHANCELLER. What is it? The earth is shaking...
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARD. The sky is falling to earth!
S t a r u h a. Fathers!
Daughter. Mother!
<…>
The darkness deepens even more.
Among the works of Soviet literature written shortly before the “Twelve Months”, there is one in which the order of actions is exactly this: the ruler makes one single irresponsible decision - and changes everything world history, and the fatal and irreversible nature of his decision, as well as the universal scale of the events taking place, is emphasized by the approaching darkness and hurricane. Marshak should have read Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel “The Master and Margarita” in 1941-1942 Judging by the surviving documents, until 1942, the leadership of the Writers' Union discussed the possibility of publishing a multi-volume collected works of Bulgakov.. After Yeshua's crucifixion, "the darkness that came with Mediterranean Sea, covered the city hated by the prosecutor.” At this moment Pilate, apparently wishing to meet the elements (or will) higher power?) face to face - remains in the palace colonnade and displays self-foolishness, in no way inferior to the evil whims of the queen:
“The servant, who was setting the table for the procurator before the storm, for some reason became confused under his gaze, became agitated because he had displeased him in some way, and the procurator, angry with him, broke the jug on the mosaic floor, saying:
- Why don’t you look him in the face when you serve? Did you steal anything?
The African’s black face turned gray, mortal horror appeared in his eyes, he trembled and almost broke the second jug, but for some reason the prosecutor’s anger flew away as quickly as it had come.” Another obvious source for the apocalypse scene in “The Twelve Months” is Mayakovsky’s “Mysteria-bouffe,” which also contains the word “darkness”: “The unclean ones have moved upward. Broken, clouds fall. Dark"..
Marshak regularly communicated with Bulgakov in recent months his life, and after the death of the writer on March 10, 1940, he joined the commission on his literary inheritance. Members of the commission sometimes met at Marshak's house. He not only had access to the unpublished novel, but also, as a member of the literary heritage commission, was obliged to read it.
Still from the cartoon "Twelve Months". 1956 Film studio "Soyuzmultfilm" Probably, after “Young Fritz” was accused of being too frivolous, Marshak actually decided to write something more serious and moralistic. He created a fairy tale in which powerful otherworldly forces - the personified spirits of the time - restore justice after a world cataclysm, saving the weak and humiliated and punishing the arrogant and self-confident.
Dramatic tale
CHARACTERS
Old stepmother.
Stepdaughter.
Ambassador of the Eastern Power.
Chief gardener.
Queen, a girl of about fourteen.
Chamberlain, a tall, skinny, old lady.
The Queen's teacher, professor of arithmetic and penmanship.
Chief of the Royal Guard.
Royal Guard Officer.
Crown Prosecutor.
Ambassador of the Western Power.
Ambassador of the Eastern Power.
Chief gardener.
Gardeners.
Old Soldier.
Young Soldier.
Old Raven.
First Squirrel.
Second Squirrel.
Twelve months.
First Herald.
Second Herald.
Courtiers.
ACT ONE
PICTURE ONE
Winter forest. A secluded clearing. The snow, undisturbed by anyone, lies in wavy snowdrifts and covers the trees with fluffy caps. Very quiet. For several moments the stage is empty, even as if dead. Then a ray of sunlight runs across the snow and illuminates the whitish-gray wolf's head peeking out from the thicket, the crow on the pine tree, the squirrel perched in the fork of the branches near the hollow. You can hear rustling, flapping of wings, crunching of dry wood. The forest comes to life.
WOLF. Woohoo! You will look as if there is no one in the forest, as if everything is empty all around. You can't fool me! I can smell a hare here, a squirrel in a hollow, a crow on a branch, and partridges in a snowdrift. Woohoo! I would have eaten them all!
CROW. Carr, carr! If you lie, you won’t eat them all.
WOLF. Don't croak. My stomach is churning from hunger, my teeth are clicking.
CROW. Carr, carr! Go, brother, on your way, no one is there; Do not touch. Yes, be careful not to touch you. I am a keen-eyed raven, I can see thirty miles from a tree.
WOLF. Well, what do you see?
CROW. Carr, carr! A soldier is walking along the road. Wolf's death is behind him, wolf's death is on his side. Carr, carr! Where are you going, gray one?
WOLF. It's boring to listen to you, old man, I'll run to where you are not! (Runs away.)
CROW. Carr, carr! The gray one went away, chickened out. Deeper into the forest - away from death. But the soldier is not following the wolf, but following the Christmas tree. The sled pulls along. Today's holiday is New Year. No wonder the New Year’s frost hit, and it was bitter. Oh, I wish I could spread my wings, fly, get warm - but I’m old, old... Karr, karr! (Hides among the branches.)
The Hare jumps out into the clearing.
Another one appears on the branches next to the previous Squirrel.
HARE (slapping his paw on his paw). Cold, cold, cold! The frost is breathtaking; your paws freeze as you run towards the snow. Squirrels, squirrels, let's play burners. Call out to the sun, invite spring!
FIRST SQUIRREL. Come on, hare. Who will burn first?
Oblique, oblique,
Don't go barefoot
And walk around with shoes on,
Wrap up your paws.
If you're wearing shoes,
The wolves won't find the hare
The bear won't find you.
Come out - you'll burn!
The hare gets ahead. Behind him are two Squirrels.
Burn, burn clearly
So that it doesn't go out.
Look at the sky -
Birds are flying
The bells are ringing!
FIRST SQUIRREL. Catch it, hare!
SECOND SQUIRREL. You won't catch up!
The squirrels, having run around the Hare to the right and left, rush through the snow. The hare is behind them. At this time, the Stepdaughter comes into the clearing. She is wearing a large torn scarf, an old jacket, worn-out shoes, and rough mittens. She pulls a sled behind her, and has an ax in her belt. The girl stops between the trees and looks intently at the Hare and Squirrels. They are so busy playing that they don’t notice it. Squirrels are running up a tree.
HARE. Where are you going, where are you going? You can’t do that, it’s not fair! I'm not playing with you anymore.
FIRST SQUIRREL. And you, hare, jump, jump!
SECOND SQUIRREL. Jump up, jump up!
FIRST SQUIRREL. Wave your tail and hit the branch!
HARE (trying to jump, pitifully). Yes, I have a short tail...
The squirrels laugh. The girl too. The Hare and Squirrels quickly look back at her and hide.
STEP-DAUGHTER (wiping her tears with her mitten). Oh, I can't! How funny! It became hot in the cold. My tail, he says, is short. That's what he says. If I hadn’t heard it with my own ears, I wouldn’t have believed it! (Laughs.)
A Soldier enters the clearing. He has a large ax in his belt. He also pulls a sled. The soldier is a mustachioed, experienced, middle-aged man.
SOLDIER. I wish you good health, beauty! What are you rejoicing about - you found a treasure or heard good news?
The stepdaughter waves her hand and laughs even louder.
Yes, tell me why you laugh. Maybe I'll laugh with you too.
STEPDAUGHTER. You won't believe it!
SOLDIER. From what? We soldiers have heard enough of everything and seen enough of everything in our time. If we believe, we believe, but we do not give in to deception.
STEPDAUGHTER. Here a hare and squirrels were playing with burners, in this very place!
SOLDIER. Well?
STEPDAUGHTER. Pure truth! This is how our children play on the street. “Burn, burn clearly, so that it doesn’t go out...” He is behind them, they are away from him, across the snow and onto a tree. And they also tease: “Jump, jump, jump, jump!”
SOLDIER. Is that what we say?
STEPDAUGHTER. In our opinion.
SOLDIER. Please tell me!
STEPDAUGHTER. So you don’t believe me!
SOLDIER. How can you not believe it! What day is it today? The old year is over, the new year is the beginning. And I also heard from my grandfather that his grandfather told him that on this day anything in the world happens - you just know how to lie in wait and spy. Is it any wonder that squirrels and hares play with burners! This doesn’t happen on New Year’s Eve.
STEPDAUGHTER. So what?
SOLDIER. Is it true or not, but my grandfather said that on the very eve of the New Year his grandfather had the opportunity to meet all twelve months.
STEPDAUGHTER. Yah?
SOLDIER. Pure truth. All year round the old man saw at once: winter, summer, spring, and autumn. I remembered it for the rest of my life, told it to my son and told my grandchildren to tell it. That's how it came to me.
STEPDAUGHTER. How is it possible for winter and summer and spring and autumn to come together! There is no way they can be together.
SOLDIER. Well, what I know, that’s what I say, but what I don’t know, I won’t say. Why did you come here in such cold weather? I am a forced person, my superiors sent me here, but who are you?
STEPDAUGHTER. And I didn’t come of my own free will.
SOLDIER. Are you in service, or what?
STEPDAUGHTER. No, I live at home.
SOLDIER. How did your mother let you go?
STEPDAUGHTER. The mother would not have let him go, but the stepmother sent him to gather brushwood and chop firewood.
SOLDIER. Look how! So you are an orphan? This is the ammunition you have for your second term. That's right, it blows right through you. Well, let me help you, and then I’ll get down to my business.
The stepdaughter and the Soldier collect brushwood together and put it on the sled.
STEPDAUGHTER. What's your business?
SOLDIER. I need to cut down the Christmas tree, the best one in the forest, so that it is not thicker, and slimmer, and greener.
STEPDAUGHTER. Who is this tree for?
SOLDIER. How - for whom? For the queen herself. Tomorrow our palace will be full of guests. So we need to surprise everyone.
Stepdaughter. What will they hang on your Christmas tree?
SOLDIER. What everyone hangs, they will hang here too. All sorts of toys, firecrackers and trinkets. Only others have all this stuff made of gold paper and glass, while ours is made of pure gold and diamonds. Others have cotton dolls and bunnies, but ours are satin.
STEPDAUGHTER. Is the queen still playing with dolls?
SOLDIER. Why shouldn't she play? Even though she is a queen, she is not older than you.
STEPDAUGHTER. Yes, I haven't played for a long time.
SOLDIER. Well, you apparently don’t have time, but she has time. There is no authority over her. Just as her parents died - the king and queen - she remained a complete mistress of both herself and others.
STEPDAUGHTER. So our queen is an orphan too?
SOLDIER. It turns out that he is an orphan.
STEPDAUGHTER. I feel sorry for her.
SOLDIER. What a pity! There is no one to teach her wisdom. Well, your job is done. There will be enough brushwood for a week. And now it’s time for me to get down to my business, look for a Christmas tree, otherwise I’ll get it from our orphan. She doesn't like to joke with us.
STEPDAUGHTER. So my stepmother is like that... And my sister is all like her. No matter what you do, you won’t please them, no matter how you turn, everything is in the wrong direction.
SOLDIER. Wait, you won’t be able to endure this forever. You are still young, you will live to see good things. Our soldier’s service is long, and she’s running out of time.
STEPDAUGHTER. Thank you for your kind words and thanks for the brushwood. I managed quickly today, the sun is still high. Let me show you one Christmas tree. Wouldn't she be right for you? Such a beautiful Christmas tree - twig to twig.
SOLDIER. Well, show me. Apparently you belong here in the forest. No wonder squirrels and hares play with burners in front of you!
The stepdaughter and the Soldier, leaving the sled, hide in the thicket. For a moment the stage is empty. Then the branches of the old snow-covered fir trees move apart, two tall old men come out into the clearing: January the month in a white fur coat and hat, and December the month in a white fur coat with black stripes and a white hat with a black edge.
DECEMBER. Here, brother, take over the farming. It's like everything is fine with me. There is enough snow today: the birches are waist-deep, the pine trees are knee-deep. Now even the frost can take a walk - there will be no more trouble. We lived our time behind the clouds, it’s not a sin for you to indulge in the sun.
JANUARY. Thank you brother. Looks like you did a great job. What, has the ice become thick on your rivers and lakes?
DECEMBER. It's okay, it's holding up. It doesn’t hurt to freeze it some more.
JANUARY. Let's freeze, let's freeze. It won't be up to us. Well, what about the forest people?
DECEMBER. Yes, as expected. Those who are sleeping are asleep, and those who are not sleeping are jumping and wandering. So I’ll call them, see for yourself. (Claps his mittens.)
The Wolf and the Fox look out from the thicket. Squirrels appear on the branches. A Hare jumps out into the middle of the clearing. Behind the snowdrifts, the ears of other hares move. The Wolf and the Fox set their sights on their prey, but January shakes her finger at them.
JANUARY. What are you, a redhead? What are you, gray? Do you think we have called the rabbits here for you? No, you make a living for yourself, but we need to count all the inhabitants of the forest: hares, squirrels, and you too, the toothy ones.
The Wolf and the Fox become quiet. The old people slowly count the animals.
Gather, animals, into a flock,
I'll count you all.
Gray wolf. Fox. Badger.
Forty skinny hares.
Well, now martens, squirrels
And other small people.
Jackdaws, jays and ravens
Exactly a million!
JANUARY. That's okay. You have all been counted. You can go to your homes, about your business.
The animals disappear.
And now, brother, it’s time for us to prepare for our holiday - to renew the snow in the forest, to silver the branches. Wave your sleeve - you’re still the boss here.
DECEMBER. Isn't it too early? Evening is still far away. Yes, there’s someone’s sled standing there, which means people are wandering around the forest. If you fill the paths with snow, they won’t be able to get out of here.
JANUARY. And you start slowly. Blow the wind, mark it with a blizzard - the guests will guess that it’s time to go home. If you don’t hurry them, they’ll be collecting pine cones and twigs until midnight. They always need something. That's why they are people!
DECEMBER. Well, let's start little by little.
Faithful servants -
Snow blizzards,
Notice all the ways
So as not to pass into the thicket
Neither on horseback nor on foot!
Neither the forester nor the goblin!
A blizzard begins. Snow falls thickly on the ground and on the trees. Old people in white fur coats and hats are almost invisible behind the snow curtain. They are indistinguishable from trees. The Stepdaughter and the Soldier return to the clearing. They walk with difficulty, get stuck in snowdrifts, cover their faces from the blizzard. The two of them carry the Christmas tree.
SOLDIER. What a snowstorm it was - frankly speaking, it was like a New Year's snowstorm! Nothing in sight. Where did we leave the sled here?
STEPDAUGHTER. And there are two tubercles nearby - that’s what they are. Longer and lower - these are your sleds, and mine are taller and shorter. (He sweeps the sled with a branch.)
SOLDIER. I’ll tie the Christmas tree and let’s get going. Don’t wait for me - go home, otherwise you’ll freeze in your clothes, and you’ll be swept away by the snowstorm. Look how crazy it is!
STEPDAUGHTER. Nothing, it's not the first time for me. (Helps him tie the Christmas tree.)
SOLDIER. Well, it's ready. And now, step by step, on your way. I go ahead, and you follow me, following in my footsteps. That way it will be easier for you. Let's go!
STEPDAUGHTER. Go. (Shudders.) Oh!
SOLDIER. What are you doing?
STEPDAUGHTER. Look at this! Over there, behind those pine trees, two old men in white fur coats are standing.
SOLDIER. What other old people? Where? (Takes a step forward.)
At this time, the trees move and both Old Men disappear behind them.
There is no one there, it was your imagination. These are pine trees.
STEPDAUGHTER. No, I saw it. Two old men - in fur coats and hats!
SOLDIER. Nowadays there are trees in fur coats and hats. Let's go quickly, but don't look around, otherwise you'll see something worse in the New Year's snowstorm!
The stepdaughter and the Soldier leave. The Old Men appear from behind the trees again.
JANUARY. Gone?
DECEMBER. Gone. (Looks into the distance from under his palm.) There they are, going down the hill!
JANUARY. Well, apparently, these are your last guests. There will be no more people in our forest this year. Call your brothers to build a New Year's fire, smoke resins, and brew honey for the whole year.
DECEMBER. Who will supply the wood?
JANUARY. We, the winter months.
In the depths of the thicket different places Some figures flash by. Lights shine through the branches.
JANUARY. Well, brother, it’s like we’re all together all year round. Lock the forest at night so that there is no way in or out.
DECEMBER. Okay, I'll lock it!
White blizzard - blizzard,
Whip up the flying snow.
You smoke
You're smoking
They fell to the ground in peace,
Wrap the earth in a shroud,
Become a wall in front of the forest.
Here's the key
Here's the castle
So that no one can pass!
A wall of falling snow covers the forest.
PICTURE TWO
Castle. Queen's classroom. Wide board in a carved gold frame. Rosewood desk. The fourteen-year-old Queen sits on a velvet pillow and writes with a long golden pen. In front of her is a gray-bearded Professor of Arithmetic and Calligraphy, looking like an ancient astrologer. He's wearing a robe and a fancy doctor's cap with a brush.
QUEEN. I hate writing. All fingers are covered in ink!
PROFESSOR. You are absolutely right, Your Majesty. This is a very unpleasant task. It is not for nothing that ancient poets did without writing instruments, which is why their works are classified by science as oral creativity. However, I dare to ask you to write four more lines in Your Majesty’s own hand.
QUEEN. Okay, dictate.
Professor
The grass is turning green
The sun is shining
Swallow with spring
It's flying towards us in the canopy!
QUEEN. I will only write “The grass is greener.” (Writes.) The grass is not...
The Chancellor enters.
CHANCELLOR (bowing low). Good morning, Your Majesty. I dare to respectfully ask you to sign one rescript and three decrees.
QUEEN. More writing! Fine. But then I won’t add “turns green.” Give me your papers here! (Signs the papers one by one.)
CHANCELLOR. Thank you, Your Majesty. And now let me ask you to draw...
QUEEN. Draw again!
CHANCELLOR. Only your highest resolution on this petition.
QUEEN (impatiently). What should I write?
CHANCELLOR. One of two things, Your Majesty: either “execute” or “pardon.”
QUEEN (to herself). Po-mi-lo-vat... Execute... It’s better to write “execute” - it’s shorter.
The Chancellor takes the papers, bows and leaves.
PROFESSOR (sighing heavily). Nothing to say, in short!
QUEEN. What do you mean?
PROFESSOR. Oh, Your Majesty, what you wrote!
QUEEN. You, of course, again noticed some error. Should I write “intrigue” or what?
PROFESSOR. No, you spelled this word correctly and still made a very serious mistake.
QUEEN. Which one?
PROFESSOR. You decided the fate of a person without even thinking!
QUEEN. What more! I can’t write and think at the same time.
PROFESSOR. And it is not necessary. First you need to think, and then write, Your Majesty!
QUEEN. If I listened to you, I would only do what I thought, thought, thought, and in the end, I would probably go crazy or come up with God knows what... But, fortunately, I don’t listen to you... Well, what have you got there further? Ask quickly, otherwise I won’t leave the classroom for a century!
PROFESSOR. I dare to ask, Your Majesty: what is seven eight?
QUEEN. I don’t remember something... It never interested me... What about you?
PROFESSOR. Of course I was interested, Your Majesty!
QUEEN. That's amazing!.. Well, goodbye, our lesson is over. Today, before the New Year, I have a lot to do.
PROFESSOR. As your Majesty wishes!.. (Sadly and humbly collects books.)
QUEEN (puts her elbows on the table and watches him absently). Really, it’s good to be a queen and not just a schoolgirl. Everyone listens to me, even my teacher. Tell me, what would you do with another student if she refused to tell you what seven is eight?
PROFESSOR. I dare not say, Your Majesty!
QUEEN. It's okay, I allow it.
PROFESSOR (timidly). I would put it in a corner...
QUEEN. Ha ha ha! (Pointing to the corners.) This one or that one?
PROFESSOR. It's all the same, Your Majesty.
QUEEN. I would prefer this one - it’s somehow cozier. (Stands in the corner.) And if even after that she didn’t want to say how much seven eight would be?
PROFESSOR. I would... I beg your Majesty's pardon... I would leave her without lunch.
QUEEN. No lunch? What if she is expecting guests for dinner, for example, ambassadors of some power or a foreign prince?
PROFESSOR. But I’m not talking about the queen, Your Majesty, but about a simple schoolgirl!
QUEEN (pulling a chair into the corner and sitting down in it.) Poor simple schoolgirl! It turns out you are a very cruel old man. Do you know that I can execute you? And even today, if I want!
PROFESSOR (dropping books). Your Majesty!..
QUEEN. Yes, yes, I can. Why not?
PROFESSOR. But how did I anger Your Majesty?
QUEEN. Well, how can I tell you? You are a very wayward person. Whatever I say, you say is wrong. No matter what you write, you say: it’s not true. And I love it when people agree with me!
PROFESSOR. Your Majesty, I swear on my life, I will no longer argue with you if you don’t like it!
QUEEN. Do you swear on your life? OK then. Then let's continue our lesson. Ask me anything. (Sits down at the desk.)
PROFESSOR. What is six six, Your Majesty?
QUEEN (looks at him, tilting her head to the side). Eleven.
PROFESSOR (sad). Absolutely right, Your Majesty. What is eight eight?
QUEEN. Three.
PROFESSOR. That's right, Your Majesty. And how much will it be...
QUEEN. How much and how much! What a curious person you are. He asks and asks... It’s better to tell me something interesting yourself.
PROFESSOR. Tell me something interesting, Your Majesty? About what? In what way?
QUEEN. Well I do not know. Something New Year's... After all, today is New Year's Eve.
PROFESSOR. Your humble servant. A year, Your Majesty, consists of twelve months!
QUEEN. How's that? Indeed?
PROFESSOR. Absolutely, Your Majesty. The months are called: January, February, March, April, May, June, July...
QUEEN. There are so many of them! And you know everyone by name? What a wonderful memory you have!
PROFESSOR. Thank you, Your Majesty! August, September, October, November and December.
QUEEN. Just think about it!
PROFESSOR. The months go by one after another. As soon as one month ends, another begins immediately. And it has never happened before that February came before January, and September before August.
QUEEN. What if I wanted it to be April now?
PROFESSOR. This is impossible, Your Majesty.
QUEEN. Are you again?
PROFESSOR (pleadingly). It is not I who object to Your Majesty. This is science and nature!
QUEEN. Tell me please! What if I make such a Law and put a big seal on it?
PROFESSOR (waves his hands helplessly). I'm afraid this won't help either. But it is unlikely that Your Majesty will need such changes in the calendar. After all, every month brings us its own gifts and fun. December, January and February - ice skating, a New Year tree, Maslenitsa booths, in March the snow begins to melt, in April the first snowdrops peek out from under the snow...
QUEEN. So I wish it was already April. I really love snowdrops. I've never seen them.
PROFESSOR. There is very little left until April, Your Majesty. Just some three months, or ninety days...
QUEEN. Ninety! I can't wait even three days. Tomorrow is the New Year's party, and I want these - what did you call them - on my table? - snowdrops.
PROFESSOR. Your Majesty, but the laws of nature!..
QUEEN (interrupting him). I will make a new law of nature! (Claps his hands.) Hey, who's there? Send the Chancellor to me. (To the professor.) And you sit at my desk and write. Now I will dictate to you. (Thinks.) Well, “The grass is turning green, the sun is shining.” Yes, yes, write that way. (Thinks.) Well! “The grass is turning green, the sun is shining, and spring flowers are blooming in our royal forests. Therefore, we most mercifully command that a full basket of snowdrops be delivered to the palace by the New Year. We will reward the one who fulfills our highest will like a king...” What could we promise them? Wait, you don’t need to write this!.. Well, I came up with an idea. Write. “We will give him as much gold as will fit in his basket, give him a velvet fur coat on a gray fox and allow him to participate in our royal New Year’s skating.” Well, did you write it? How slow you write!
PROFESSOR. “...on a gray fox...” I haven’t written a dictation for a long time, Your Majesty.
QUEEN. Yeah, you don’t write it yourself, but you force me! How cunning!.. Well, oh well. Give me a pen - I will inscribe my highest name! (He quickly puts down a squiggle and waves the piece of paper so that the ink dries faster.)
At this time, the Chancellor appears at the door.
Put your stamp here and here! And make sure everyone in town knows my orders.
CHANCELLOR (reads quickly with his eyes). What about the seal? Your will, queen!..
QUEEN. Yes, yes, my will, and you must fulfill it!..
The curtain falls.
One after another, two Heralds come out with trumpets and scrolls in their hands. Solemn sounds of fanfare.
First Herald
On New Year's Eve
We issued an order:
Let them bloom today
We have snowdrops!
Second Herald
The grass is turning green
The sun is shining
Swallow with spring
It's flying towards us in the canopy!
First Herald
Who dares to deny
That the swallow flies
That the grass is turning green
And the sun is shining?
Second Herald
Snowdrop blooms in the forest,
And not a blizzard blows,
And that one of you is a rebel,
Who will say: it doesn’t bloom!
FIRST SPEAKER. Therefore, we most mercifully command that a full basket of snowdrops be delivered to the palace by the New Year!
SECOND SPEAKER. We will reward the one who fulfills our highest will like a king!
FIRST SPEAKER. We will give him as much gold as will fit in his basket!
SECOND SPEAKER. Let's give a velvet fur coat to the gray fox and let him take part in our royal New Year's skating!
FIRST SPEAKER. On Her Majesty’s original handwritten note: “Happy New Year!” Happy April 1st!”
Fanfare sounds.
Second Herald
Streams run into the valley,
Winter has come to an end.
First Herald
Snowdrops basket
Bring it to the palace!
Second Herald
Narvit before dawn
Simple snowdrops.
First Herald
And they will give you for it
A basket of gold!
First and Second (together)
The grass is turning green
The sun is shining
Swallow with spring
It's flying towards us in the canopy!
FIRST SPEAKER (slapping palm against palm). Brr!.. It's cold!..
PICTURE THREE
A small house on the outskirts of the city. The stove is burning hot. There is a snowstorm outside the windows. Twilight. The old woman rolls out the dough. The daughter is sitting in front of the fire. There are several baskets on the floor near her. She is sorting through the baskets. First he picks up a small one, then a larger one, then the largest one.
DAUGHTER (holding a small basket in her hands). And what, mom, will there be a lot of gold in this basket?
OLD WOMAN. Yes, a lot.
DAUGHTER. Enough for a fur coat?
OLD WOMAN. What's on the fur coat, daughter! Enough for a full dowry: both fur coats and skirts. There will also be some left over for stockings and handkerchiefs.
DAUGHTER. How much will this include?
OLD WOMAN. There's even more to this one. There is enough here for a stone house, for a horse with a bridle, and for a lamb with a lamb.
DAUGHTER. Well, what about this one?
OLD WOMAN. And there’s nothing to say here. You will drink and eat on gold, you will dress in gold, you will wear gold, you will wear gold, you will cover your ears with gold.
DAUGHTER. Well, then I’ll take this basket! (Sighing.) One problem - you can’t find snowdrops. Apparently the queen wanted to laugh at us.
OLD WOMAN. She’s young, so she comes up with all sorts of things.
DAUGHTER. What if someone goes into the forest and picks snowdrops there? And he will get this basket of gold!
OLD WOMAN. Well, wherever it is, he’ll dial it! Snowdrops won't even appear before spring. There are so many snowdrifts - all the way to the roof!
DAUGHTER. Or maybe they are growing little by little under the snowdrifts. That's why they are snowdrops... I'll put on my fur coat and try to look for it.
OLD WOMAN. What are you doing, daughter! Yes, I won’t even let you out of the threshold. Look out the window, what a blizzard is blowing up. Or maybe it will be by nightfall!
DAUGHTER (grabs the largest basket). No, I'll go and that's it. For once, there was a chance to get to the palace, to visit the queen herself for a holiday. And they'll give you a whole basket of gold.
OLD WOMAN. You'll freeze in the forest.
DAUGHTER. Well, then you go into the forest yourself. Pick some snowdrops, and I’ll take them to the palace.
OLD WOMAN. Why don’t you, daughter, feel sorry for your own mother?
DAUGHTER. I feel sorry for you, and I feel sorry for the gold, and most of all I feel sorry for myself! Well, what does it cost you? What an incredible snowstorm! Wrap yourself up warm and go.
OLD WOMAN. Nothing to say, good daughter! In such weather, the owner of the dog will not kick the dog out into the street, but she chases the mother.
DAUGHTER. Why! You will be kicked out! You won’t take an extra step for your daughter. So I’ll sit because of you the whole holiday in the kitchen by the stove. And others with the queen will ride in a silver sleigh, raking gold with a shovel... (Crying.)
OLD WOMAN. Well, that's enough, daughter, that's enough, don't cry. Here, eat some hot pie! (Pulls out an iron sheet with pies from the stove.) In the heat, in the heat, boiling and hissing, almost talking!
DAUGHTER (through tears). I don’t want pies, I want snowdrops!.. Well, if you don’t want to go yourself and won’t let me in, then at least let your sister go. She will come from the forest, and you will send her there again.
OLD WOMAN. But it’s true! Why not send her? The forest is not far away, it won't take long to escape. If she picks flowers, you and I will take them to the palace, but if she freezes, well, that means that’s her fate. Who will cry for her?
DAUGHTER. Yeah, that's right, not me. I was so tired of her, I can’t say. You can’t go outside the gate - all the neighbors say only about her: “Oh, the unfortunate orphan!”, “The worker has golden hands!”, “A beauty - you can’t take your eyes off her!” Why am I worse than her?
OLD WOMAN. What are you, daughter, for me - you are better, not worse. But not everyone will see it. After all, she is cunning - she knows how to flatter. He will bow to this one, he will smile at this one. So everyone feels sorry for her: an orphan and an orphan. And what does she, an orphan, lack? I gave her my handkerchief, a very good handkerchief, and I didn’t wear it for seven years, and then I just wrapped the sauerkraut. I let her wear your shoes from the year before last - it’s a pity, isn’t it? And how much bread goes into it! A piece in the morning, a crumb at lunch, and a crust in the evening. Calculate how much this will cost per year. There are many days in a year! Another wouldn’t know how to thank her, but you won’t hear a word from this one.
DAUGHTER. Well, let him go into the forest. Let's give her a larger basket, which is what I chose for myself.
OLD WOMAN. What are you doing, daughter! This basket is new, recently purchased. Look for her later in the forest. We'll give you that one, and it will disappear, it's not a pity.
DAUGHTER. It's too small!
Stepdaughter enters. Her scarf is completely covered with snow. She takes off the scarf and shakes it off, then goes to the stove and warms her hands.
OLD WOMAN. Is it blowing outside?
STEPDAUGHTER. It sweeps so hard that you can’t see either the earth or the sky. It's like walking on clouds. I barely made it home.
OLD WOMAN. That's why it's winter, so that there's a blizzard.
STEPDAUGHTER. No, there hasn’t been such a blizzard in a whole year and there never will be.
DAUGHTER. How do you know that it won’t happen?
STEPDAUGHTER. But today is the last day of the year!
DAUGHTER. Look how! Apparently you're not very cold if you're asking riddles. Well, are you rested and warmed up? You still need to run somewhere else.
STEPDAUGHTER. Where is this, far away?
OLD WOMAN. Not that close, not even close.
DAUGHTER. In the forest!
STEPDAUGHTER. In the forest? For what? I brought a lot of firewood, enough for a week.
DAUGHTER. Not for brushwood, but for snowdrops!
STEP-DAUGHTER (laughing). Except for the snowdrops - in such a blizzard! But I didn’t immediately understand that you were joking. I was scared. Nowadays, the abyss is no wonder - it keeps circling and knocking you down.
DAUGHTER. I'm not kidding. Haven't you heard about the decree?
STEPDAUGHTER. No.
DAUGHTER. You don’t hear anything, you don’t know anything! But the whole city is talking about it. The queen will give the one who collects snowdrops a whole basket of gold, a fur coat on a gray fox, and will allow him to ride in his sleigh.
STEPDAUGHTER. What are the snowdrops like now - it’s winter...
OLD WOMAN. In the spring, people pay for snowdrops not in gold, but in copper!
DAUGHTER. Well, what’s there to talk about! Here's your basket.
STEP-DAUGHTER (looks out the window). It's getting dark.
OLD WOMAN. If you had spent even more time looking for brushwood, it would have gotten completely dark.
STEPDAUGHTER. Maybe we should go tomorrow morning? I'll get up early, it's just dawn.
DAUGHTER. I came up with the same idea - in the morning! What if you don’t find flowers before evening? So they will wait for you and me in the courtyard. After all, flowers are needed for the holiday.
STEPDAUGHTER. I’ve never heard of flowers growing in the forest in winter... But can you really see anything in such darkness?
DAUGHTER (chewing a pie). And you lean lower and look better.
STEPDAUGHTER. I won't go!
DAUGHTER. How is it that you won’t go?
STEPDAUGHTER. Don't you feel sorry for me at all? I won't be able to return from the forest.
DAUGHTER. So, should I go into the forest instead of you?
STEP-DAUGHTER (lowering her head). But it’s not me who needs gold.
OLD WOMAN. It's clear, you don't need anything. You have everything, and what you don’t have, your stepmother and sister will have it!
DAUGHTER. She's rich and refuses a whole basket of gold! Well, are you going or not? Answer directly - won't you go? Where's my fur coat? (With tears in his voice). Let her warm herself here by the stove, eat pies, and I’ll walk through the forest until midnight, get stuck in the snowdrifts... (He rips his fur coat off the hook and runs to the door.)
OLD WOMAN (grabs her by the floor). Where are you going? Who allowed you? Sit down, stupid! (To the stepdaughter.) And you, put a scarf on your head, a basket in your hands, and go. Look at me: if I find out that you’ve been staying with the neighbors somewhere, I won’t let you into the house - freeze in the yard!
DAUGHTER. Go and don't come back without snowdrops!
The stepdaughter wraps herself in a scarf, takes the basket and leaves. Silence.
OLD WOMAN (looking at the door). And she didn’t properly slam the door behind her. It blows like that! Close the door well, daughter, and get ready for the table. It's time for dinner.
ACT TWO
PICTURE ONE
Forest. Large flakes of snow fall to the ground. Thick twilight. The stepdaughter makes her way through deep snowdrifts. Wraps himself in a torn scarf. Blowing on frozen hands. It's getting darker and darker in the forest. A lump of snow falls noisily from the top of a tree.
STEP-DAUGHTER (shudders.) Oh, who's there? (Looks around.) The snow cap fell, and it seemed to me as if someone had jumped from a tree on me... And who would be here at such a time? The animals also hid in their holes. I’m alone in the forest... (He makes his way further. He stumbles, gets entangled in a windfall, stops.) I won’t go any further. I'll stay here. It doesn't matter where you freeze. (Sits on a fallen tree.) How dark! You can't see your hands. And I don’t know where I went. There is no way forward or back. So my death has come. I’ve seen little good in my life, but it’s still scary to die... Should I scream, call for help? Maybe someone will hear - a forester, or a belated woodcutter, or some hunter? Aw! Help! Aw! No, no one is responding. What should I do? Just sit here until the end comes? How will the wolves come? After all, they can smell a person from afar. Something crunched over there, as if someone was sneaking. Oh, I'm afraid! (Approaches the tree, looks at the thick, knotty branches covered with snow.) Climb, or what? They won't get me there. (Climbs one of the branches and sits down in a fork. Begins to doze.)
The forest is quiet for some time. Then a Wolf appears from behind a snowdrift. Looking around warily, he walks around the forest and, raising his head, begins to sing his lonely wolf song.
Oh, he's angry
The wolf's tail has grown.
Sheep in winter
There is sheep's wool.
At the fox's in winter
There is a fox fur coat.
Unfortunately for me,
Only wolf fur
Only old fur -
The fur coat is torn.
Oh and my life
Damn!..
(He falls silent, listens, then starts his song again.)
Sleeping on New Year's Eve
All the forest people.
All the neighbors are sleeping.
All the bears are sleeping.
Who doesn't sleep in a hole -
He snores under a bush.
Byushki,
Little hares.
Byushki,
Ermine!..
I don't sleep alone -
Duma I think
I think about the Duma
About my misfortune.
I'm sad
Yes, insomnia.
On my heels
Hunger is chasing.
Where can I find it?
On snow - on ice?
The wolf is hungry
The wolf is cold!..
(Having finished his song, he takes a detour again. Coming closer to the place where the Stepdaughter hid, he stops.) Oooh, the smell of human spirit in the forest. I'll have some money for the New Year, I'll have dinner!
RAVEN (from the top of the tree). Carr, carr! Watch out, grey. The prey is not about you! Carr, carr!..
WOLF. Oh, is it you again, old sorcerer? You deceived me this morning, but now you won’t deceive me. I smell prey, I smell it!
CROW. Well, if you smell it, then tell me what’s on your right, what’s on your left, what’s straight.
WOLF. Do you think I won't tell you? To the right is a bush, to the left is a bush, and straight ahead is a tasty morsel.
CROW. You're lying, brother! To the left is a trap, to the right is poison, and straight ahead is a wolf pit. The only way left for you is to get back. Where are you going, gray one?
WOLF. I’ll jump wherever I want, but you don’t care! (Disappears behind a snowdrift.)
CROW. Karr, karr, the gray one ran away. The wolf is old - yes, I am older, cunning - but I am wiser. I’ll see him, the gray one, more than once! And you, beauty, wake up, you can’t doze off in the cold - you’ll freeze!
Squirrel appears on the tree and drops a pine cone on the Stepdaughter.
SQUIRREL. Don't sleep - you'll freeze!
STEPDAUGHTER. What's happened? Who said that? Who's here, who? No, apparently I heard it. A cone just fell from a tree and woke me up. But I dreamed of something good, and it even became warmer. What did I dream about? You won't remember right away. Oh, there it is! It’s as if my mother is walking around the house with a lamp and the light is shining right into my eyes. (Raises his head, brushes the snow from his eyelashes with his hand.) But something really glows - over there, far away... What if these are the eyes of a wolf? No, the wolf's eyes are green, and this is a golden light. It’s shaking and twinkling, as if a star is entangled in the branches... I’ll run! (Jumps off the branch.) Still glowing. Maybe there really is a forester’s hut nearby, or maybe the woodcutters have lit a fire. We have to go. Need to go. Oh, my legs can’t move, they’re completely numb! (He walks with difficulty, falling into snowdrifts, climbing over windbreaks and fallen trunks.) If only the light doesn’t go out!.. No, it doesn’t go out, it burns brighter and brighter. And it seemed to smell like warm smoke. Is it really a fire? This is true. Whether it’s my imagination or not, I hear brushwood crackling on the fire. (He goes further, spreading and lifting the paws of the thick tall spruce trees.)
Everything around is getting brighter and brighter. Reddish reflections run across the snow and along the branches. And suddenly a small round clearing opens in front of the Stepdaughter, in the middle of which a high fire is burning hot. People are sitting around the fire, some closer to the fire, some further away. There are twelve of them: three old, three elderly, three young, and the last three are still quite young. Young people sit near the fire, old people sit at a distance. Two old men are wearing long white fur coats and shaggy white hats, the third is wearing a white fur coat with black stripes and a black trim on his hat. One of the elderly is in golden-red, another is in rusty-brown, the third is in brown clothes. The other six are in green kaftans of different shades, embroidered with colored patterns. One of the young men has a fur coat saddled over his green caftan, the other has a fur coat on one shoulder. The stepdaughter stops between two fir trees and, not daring to go out into the clearing, listens to what the twelve brothers sitting around the fire are talking about.
(throwing an armful of brushwood into the fire)
Burn, burn brighter -
Summer will be hotter
And the winter is warmer
And spring is nicer.
All months
Burn, burn clearly
So that it doesn't go out!
Burn, burn with a bang!
Let through the copses,
Where the snowdrifts will lie,
There will be more berries.
Let them carry it to the deck
Bees make more honey.
May there be wheat in the fields
The ears are thick.
All months
Burn, burn clearly
So that it doesn't go out!
The stepdaughter at first does not dare to go out into the clearing, then, plucking up courage, she slowly comes out from behind the trees. The twelve brothers, falling silent, turn to her.
STEP-DAUGHTER (bowing). Good evening.
JANUARY. Good evening to you too.
STEPDAUGHTER. If I don’t disturb your conversation, let me warm myself by the fire.
JANUARY (to brothers). Well, brothers, what do you think, should we allow it or not?
FEBRUARY (shaking his head). There has never been such a case when anyone besides us sat by this fire.
APRIL. It never happened. This is true. Yes, if someone came to our light, then let him warm himself.
MAY. Let it warm up. This will not reduce the heat in the fire.
DECEMBER. Well, come, beauty, come, and make sure you don’t burn. You see, what a fire we have - it’s burning.
STEPDAUGHTER. Thank you, grandpa. I won't come close. I'll stand aside. (He approaches the fire, trying not to hit or push anyone, and warms his hands.) How good! How light and hot your fire is! It felt warm right down to my heart. I warmed up. Thank you.
There is a short silence. All you can hear is the crackling of the fire.
JANUARY. What is this in your hands, girl? Basket, no way? Did you come for the pine cones right before the New Year, and even in such a snowstorm?
FEBRUARY. The forest also needs a rest - not everyone can rob it!
STEPDAUGHTER. I didn’t come of my own free will, and I didn’t come for the bumps.
AUGUST (grinning). So isn't it for mushrooms?
STEPDAUGHTER. Not for mushrooms, but for flowers... My stepmother sent me for snowdrops.
MARCH (laughing and pushed April in the side). Do you hear, brother, behind the snowdrops! So your guest, welcome!
Everyone laughs.
STEPDAUGHTER. I would laugh myself, but I’m not laughing. My stepmother did not tell me to return home without snowdrops.
FEBRUARY. What did she need snowdrops for in the middle of winter?
STEPDAUGHTER. She doesn't need flowers, but gold. Our queen promised a whole basket of gold to anyone who brought a basket of snowdrops to the palace. So they sent me into the forest.
JANUARY. Your business is bad, my dear! Now is not the time for snowdrops - we must wait for the month of April.
STEPDAUGHTER. I know it myself, grandfather. Yes, I have nowhere to go. Well, thank you for your warmth and hello. If you interfere, don’t be angry... (Takes his basket and slowly walks towards the trees.)
APRIL. Wait, girl, don't rush! (He approaches January and bows to him.) Brother January, give me your place for an hour.
JANUARY. I would give in, but there would be no April before March.
MARCH. Well, it won't be up to me. What do you say, brother February?
FEBRUARY. Okay, I’ll give in, I won’t argue.
JANUARY. If so, have it your way! (Hits the ground with his ice staff.)
Don't crack, it's frosty,
In a protected forest,
At the pine, at the birch
Don't chew the bark!
You're full of crows
Freeze,
Human habitation
Cool down!
The forest becomes quiet. The snowstorm has subsided. The sky was covered with stars.
Well, now it’s your turn, brother February! (Hands over his staff to the shaggy and lame February.)
(hits the ground with his staff)
Winds, storms, hurricanes,
Blow as hard as you can.
Whirlwinds, blizzards and blizzards,
Get ready for the night!
Trumpet loudly in the clouds,
Hover above the ground.
Let the drifting snow run in the fields
White snake!
The wind is humming in the branches. Drifts of drifting snow are running through the clearing, snowy snow is spinning
FEBRUARY. Now it's your turn, brother Mart!
(takes the staff)
The snow is no longer the same, -
He darkened in the field.
The ice on the lakes is cracked,
It's like they split it.
The clouds are moving faster.
The sky became higher.
The sparrow chirped
Have fun on the roof.
It's getting darker every day
Stitches and paths
And on the willows with silver
The earrings glow.
The snow suddenly darkens and settles. It starts dripping. Buds appear on the trees.
Well, now take the staff, brother April.
(takes the staff and speaks loudly, in a full boyish voice)
Run away, streams,
Spread out, puddles.
Get out, ants,
After the winter cold.
A bear sneaks through
Through the dead wood.
The birds began to sing songs,
And the snowdrop blossomed!
In the forest and in the clearing, everything changes. The last snow is melting. The ground is covered with young grass. Blue and white flowers appear on the hummocks under the trees. It's dripping, flowing, babbling all around.
The stepdaughter stands, numb with surprise.
Why are you standing? Hurry up. My brothers gave you and me just one hour.
STEPDAUGHTER. How did all this happen? Is it really because of me that spring has come in the middle of winter? I don’t dare believe my eyes.
APRIL. Believe it or not, but quickly run and collect snowdrops. Otherwise, winter will return and your basket is still empty.
STEPDAUGHTER. Run Run! (Disappears behind the trees.)
JANUARY (in a low voice). I recognized her immediately as soon as I saw her. And she was wearing the same scarf, with holes, and the thin boots that she had been wearing that day. We, the winter months, know her well. Either you will meet her at an ice hole with buckets, or in the forest with a bundle of firewood. And she is always cheerful, friendly, goes along and sings. And now I’m depressed.
JUNE. And we, summer months, we know her just as well.
JULY. How could you not know! The sun has not yet risen, she is already on her knees near the garden bed - flying, tying up, picking off caterpillars. When he comes to the forest, he won’t break the branches in vain. He will take a ripe berry and leave a green one on the bush: let it ripen.
NOVEMBER. I have watered it with rain more than once. It’s a pity, but there’s nothing to be done - that’s why I’m in the autumn month!
FEBRUARY. Oh, and she saw little good from me. I blew through it with the wind and chilled it with the cold. She knows the month of February, but February also knows her. It’s not a pity for someone like her to give spring for an hour in the middle of winter.
APRIL. Why only for an hour? I wouldn't part with her forever.
SEPTEMBER. Yes, she’s a good girl!.. You won’t find a better housewife anywhere.
APRIL. Well, if you all like her, then I’ll give her my wedding ring!
DECEMBER. Well, give it. Your business is young!
The Stepdaughter comes out from behind the trees. In her hands she has a basket full of snowdrops.
JANUARY. Have you already filled your cart full? Your hands are nimble.
STEPDAUGHTER. But they are visible and invisible there. And on hummocks, and under hummocks, and in thickets, and on lawns, and under stones, and under trees! I have never seen so many snowdrops. Yes, they are all so large, the stems are fluffy, like velvet, the petals look like crystal. Thank you, owners, for your kindness. If it weren’t for you, I would never see the sun or spring snowdrops again. No matter how long I live in the world, I will still thank you - for every flower, for every day! (Bows to the month of January.)
JANUARY. Bow down not to me, but to my little brother - the month of April. He asked for you, he even brought flowers out from under the snow for you.
STEP-DAUGHTER (turning to the month of April). Thank you, month of April! I always rejoiced at you, but now, as soon as I saw you in person, I will never forget!
APRIL. And so that you really don’t forget, here’s a ring for you as a keepsake. Look at him and remember me. If trouble happens, throw it on the ground, in water or in a snowdrift and say:
You roll, roll, little ring,
On the spring porch,
In the summer canopy,
In the autumn teremok
Yes on the winter carpet
To the New Year's bonfire!
We will come to your rescue - all twelve of us will come as one - with a thunderstorm, with a blizzard, with a spring drop! Well, do you remember?
STEPDAUGHTER. I remember. (Repeat.)
...Yes, on a winter carpet
To the New Year's bonfire!
APRIL. Well, goodbye, and take care of my ring. If you lose him, you will lose me!
STEPDAUGHTER. I won't lose it. I will never part with this ring. I will take it with me, like a light from your fire. But your fire warms the whole earth.
APRIL. The truth is yours, beauty. There is a small spark in my ring from a big fire. It will warm you in cold weather, provide light in the dark, and comfort you in grief.
JANUARY. Now listen to what I have to say. Today, on the last night of the old year, on the first night of the New Year, you had the opportunity to meet all twelve months at once. When the April snowdrops are still in bloom, and your basket is already full. You came to us along the shortest path, while others are walking along the long road - day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute. That's how it's supposed to be. Don’t open this short path to anyone, don’t show it to anyone. This road is reserved.
FEBRUARY. And don’t talk about who gave you the snowdrops. We are not supposed to do this either - to disrupt the order. Don't boast about your friendship with us!
STEPDAUGHTER. I'll die and won't tell anyone!
JANUARY. Same thing. Remember what we told you and what you answered us. And now it’s time for you to run home before I release my blizzard into the wild.
STEPDAUGHTER. Farewell, brothers-months!
ALL MONTHS. Goodbye sister!
The stepdaughter runs away.
April. Brother January, even though I gave her my ring, one star cannot illuminate the entire thicket of the forest. Ask the heavenly month to shine on her on the road.
January (raising his head). Okay, I'll ask! Where did he go? Hey namesake, heavenly month! Look out from behind the clouds!
The month appears.
Do me a favor and take our guest through the forest so she can get home as quickly as possible!
The month floats across the sky in the direction where the girl went. There is silence for some time.
DECEMBER. Well, brother January, the end of winter spring is coming. Take your staff.
JANUARY. Wait a little. It's not time yet.
It's getting brighter in the clearing again. The moon returns from behind the trees and stops right above the clearing.
You did it, then? Oh, thanks! And now, brother April, give me the staff. It's time!
Because of the northern
From silver
In freedom, in open space
I'm releasing three sisters!
Storm, older sister,
You fan the fire.
Cold, middle sister,
Forge a silver cauldron -
Boil spring juices
Summer resins to smoke...
And I call the last one
Metelitsa-smoke.
Metelitsa-Kureva
She lit a cigarette, swept it away,
Got dusty, filled up
All paths, all paths -
Neither pass nor pass!
(Hits the staff on the ground.)
The whistling and howling of a blizzard begins. Clouds are rushing across the sky. Snow flakes cover the entire scene.
PICTURE TWO
Old Woman's House. The old woman and the daughter are dressing up. There is a basket of snowdrops on the bench.
DAUGHTER. I told you: give her a big new basket. And you regretted it. Now blame yourself. How much gold will fit in this basket? A handful, another - and there’s no room!
OLD WOMAN. And who knew that she would return alive, and with snowdrops at that? This is unheard of!.. And I have no idea where she found them.
DAUGHTER. Didn't you ask her?
OLD WOMAN. And I didn’t really have time to ask. She came not herself, as if not from the forest, but from a walk, cheerful, her eyes sparkling, her cheeks glowing. Place the basket on the table and immediately go behind the curtain. I just looked at what was in her basket, and she was already sleeping. Yes, so hard that you won’t even wake it up. It’s already day outside, and she’s still sleeping. I lit the stove myself and swept the floor.
DAUGHTER. I'll go wake her up. In the meantime, take a large new basket and put the snowdrops into it.
OLD WOMAN. But the basket will be empty...
DAUGHTER. And if you lay it out less often and more spaciously, it will be full!
(Throws her a basket.)
OLD WOMAN. My good girl!
The daughter goes behind the curtain. The old woman rearranges the snowdrops.
How can you arrange them so that the basket is full? Should I add some earthen soil? (Takes flower pots from the windowsill, pours soil from them into a basket, then puts snowdrops, and decorates the edges of the basket with green leaves from the pots.) That's okay. Flowers, they love the earth. And where there are flowers, there are leaves. My daughter apparently took after me. Both of us have a mind to become.
The daughter runs out on tiptoe from behind the curtain.
Admire how I arranged the snowdrops!
DAUGHTER (quietly). What is there to admire? You will admire it!
OLD WOMAN. Ring! Yes what! Where did you get it from?
DAUGHTER. That's where it comes from! I went to her, began to wake her up, but she didn’t hear. I grabbed her hand, unclenched my fist, and lo and behold, the ring on her finger was glowing. I slowly pulled off the ring, but didn’t wake him up anymore - let him sleep.
OLD WOMAN. Oh, there it is! That's what I thought.
DAUGHTER. What did you think?
OLD WOMAN. She was not alone, which meant she was collecting snowdrops in the forest. Someone helped her. Hey orphan! Show me the ring, daughter. It shines and plays like that. I've never seen anything like this in my life. Come on, put it on your finger.
DAUGHTER (trying to put on the ring). Doesn't fit!
At this time, the Stepdaughter comes out from behind the curtain.
OLD WOMAN (quietly). Put it in your pocket, put it in your pocket!
The daughter hides the ring in her pocket. The stepdaughter, looking at her feet, slowly walks to the bench, then to the door, and goes out into the hallway.
I noticed it was missing!
The stepdaughter returns, approaches the basket with snowdrops, and rummages through the flowers.
Why are you crushing flowers?
STEPDAUGHTER. Where is the basket in which I brought the snowdrops?
OLD WOMAN. What do you need? There she stands.
The stepdaughter is rummaging in the basket.
DAUGHTER. What are you looking for?
OLD WOMAN. She is our expert at searching. Is it unheard of to find so many snowdrops in the middle of winter!
DAUGHTER. She also said that there are no snowdrops in winter. Where did you get them?
STEPDAUGHTER. In the forest. (Leans over and looks under the bench.)
OLD WOMAN. Tell me, really, what are you rummaging about?
STEPDAUGHTER. Didn't you find anything here?
OLD WOMAN. What should we find if we haven’t lost anything?
DAUGHTER. Apparently you've lost something. What are you afraid to say?
STEPDAUGHTER. You know? Did you see it?
DAUGHTER. How should I know? You didn't tell me or show me anything.
OLD WOMAN. Just tell me what you lost, and maybe we can help you find it!
STEP-DAUGHTER (with difficulty). My ring is missing.
OLD WOMAN. Ring? Yes, you never had one.
STEPDAUGHTER. I found him in the forest yesterday.
OLD WOMAN. Look, what a lucky girl you are! I found snowdrops and a ring. That’s what I’m saying, a master of searching. Well, look for it. It's time for us to go to the palace. Wrap yourself up warmly, daughter. It's frosty.
They dress and preen themselves.
STEPDAUGHTER. Why do you need my ring? Give it to me.
OLD WOMAN. Have you lost your mind? Where can we get it from?
DAUGHTER. We never even saw him.
STEPDAUGHTER. Sister, honey, you have my ring! I know. Well, don't laugh at me, give it to me. You are going to the palace. They will give you a whole basket of gold - whatever you want, you can buy it for yourself, but all I had was this ring.
OLD WOMAN. Why are you attached to her? Apparently, this ring was not found, but given. Memory is dear.
DAUGHTER. Tell me, who gave it to you?
STEPDAUGHTER. Nobody gave it. Found it.
OLD WOMAN. Well, what is easily found is not a pity to lose. It's not earned. Take the basket, daughter. They must have been waiting for us at the palace!
The old woman and daughter leave.
STEPDAUGHTER. Wait! Mother!.. Sister!.. And they don’t even want to listen. What should I do now, who should I complain to? Brothers-months are far away, I can’t find them without a ring. Who else will stand up for me? Should I go to the palace and tell the queen? After all, it was I who collected snowdrops for her. The soldier said she was an orphan. Maybe an orphan will take pity on an orphan? No, they won’t let me go to her empty-handed, without my snowdrops... (Sits in front of the stove, looks into the fire.) It’s as if nothing had happened. It was as if I had dreamed everything. No flowers, no ring... Only brushwood was left with me from everything I brought from the forest! (Throws an armful of brushwood into the fire.)
Burn, burn clearly
So that it doesn't go out!
The flame flares brightly and crackles in the stove.
Burns bright, fun! It’s as if I’m in the forest again, by the fire, among the brother months... Farewell, my New Year’s happiness! Farewell, brothers-months! Goodbye April!
ACT THREE
Hall of the royal palace. In the middle of the hall is a magnificently decorated Christmas tree. In front of the door leading to the inner royal chambers, many dressed-up guests crowd in anticipation of the queen. Among them are the Ambassador of the Western Power and the Ambassador of the Eastern Power. Musicians play carcasses. The courtiers come out of the doors, then the Queen, accompanied by the Chancellor and the tall, thin Chamberlain. Behind the Queen is a page and carrying her long train. The Professor modestly minces behind the train.
EVERYONE is in the hall. Happy New Year, Your Majesty! With new happiness!
QUEEN. My happiness is always new, and the New Year has not yet arrived.
General surprise.
CHANCELLOR. Meanwhile, Your Majesty, today is the first of January.
QUEEN. You are wrong! (To the professor.) How many days are there in December?
PROFESSOR. Exactly thirty-one, Your Majesty!
QUEEN. So today is the thirty-second of December.
CHAMPIONSHIP (to the ambassadors). This is Her Majesty's lovely New Year's joke!
Everyone laughs.
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. A very sharp joke. Sharper than my saber. Isn't that right, Mr. Crown Prosecutor?
ROYAL PROSECUTOR. The highest measure of wit!
QUEEN. No, I'm not joking at all.
Everyone stops laughing.
Tomorrow will be the thirty-third of December, the day after tomorrow will be the thirty-fourth of December. Well, what next? (To the Professor.) You speak!
PROFESSOR (confused). The thirty-fifth of December... The thirty-sixth of December... The thirty-seventh of December... But this is impossible, Your Majesty!
QUEEN. Are you again?
PROFESSOR. Yes, Your Majesty, again and again! You can cut off my head, you can put me in prison, but there is no such thing as December thirty-seventh! There are thirty-one days in December! Exactly thirty-one. This is proven by science! And seven eight, Your Majesty, fifty-six, and eight eight, Your Majesty, sixty-four! This is also proven by science, and science is more valuable to me than my own head!
QUEEN. Well, well, dear professor, calm down. I forgive you. I heard somewhere that kings sometimes like to be told the truth. Still, December will not end until they bring me a basket full of snowdrops!
PROFESSOR. As you wish, Your Majesty, but they will not be brought to you!
QUEEN. Let's see!
General confusion.
CHANCELLOR. I dare to introduce to Your Majesty those who have arrived ambassadors extraordinary states friendly to us - the Ambassador of the Western Power and the Ambassador of the Eastern Power.
The ambassadors approach and bow.
WESTERN AMBASSADOR. His Majesty, the King of my country, has instructed me to bring you New Year's greetings.
QUEEN. Congratulate His Majesty if the New Year has already arrived. As you can see, the New Year is late for me this year!
THE WESTERN AMBASSADOR, tall, shaven, bows gracefully but confusedly and retreats.
EASTERN AMBASSADOR (short, corpulent, with a long black beard). My lord and master ordered me to greet your majesty and congratulate you...
QUEEN. With what?
EASTERN AMBASSADOR (after a moment of silence). With blooming health and great wisdom, so extraordinary at such a tender age!
QUEEN (to the Professor). Do you hear? And you are still going to teach me something. (Sits on the throne and calls the Chancellor with a movement of his hand.) But still, why are there still no snowdrops? Does everyone in the city know my decree?
CHANCELLOR. Your wish, queen, is granted. The flowers will now be thrown at the feet of your Majesty. (Waves a handkerchief.)
The doors open wide. A whole procession of gardeners enters with baskets, vases, and bouquets of a wide variety of flowers. The head gardener, solemn and with sideburns, presents the Queen with a huge basket of roses. Other Gardeners place tulips, daffodils, orchids, hydrangeas, azaleas and other flowers near the throne.
THE MISTER. What lovely colors!
WESTERN AMBASSADOR. This is a real flower festival!
EASTERN AMBASSADOR. A rose among roses!
Queen. Are there any snowdrops here?
CHANCELLOR. Very likely!
QUEEN. Find them for me, please.
CHANCELLOR (leans over, puts on his glasses and suspiciously looks at the flowers in the baskets. Finally he pulls out a peony and hydrangea). I believe one of these flowers is the snowdrop.
QUEEN. Which one?
CHANCELLOR. The one you like best, Your Majesty!
QUEEN. This is nonsense! (To the Professor). What do you say?
PROFESSOR. I only know the Latin names of plants. This, as far as I remember, is Paeonia albiflora, and this is Hydrantha opuloides.
The gardeners shake their heads negatively and offendedly.
QUEEN. Opuloides? Well, it looks more like the name of some kind of tumor. (To the gardeners.) Tell me what kind of flowers these are!
GARDENER. This is hydrangea, your majesty, and this is peony, or, as the common people say, marin root, your majesty!
QUEEN. I don't need any marina roots! I want snowdrops. Are there any snowdrops here?
GARDENER. Your Majesty, what kind of snowdrops are there in the royal greenhouse?.. The snowdrop is a wild flower, a weed!
QUEEN. And where do they grow?
GARDENER. Where they belong, Your Majesty. (Contemptuously.) Somewhere in the forest, under the hummocks!
QUEEN. So bring them to me from the forest, from under the hummocks!
GARDENER. I'm listening, Your Majesty. Just don’t be angry - now they are not even in the forest. They won't appear until April.
QUEEN. Have you all come to an agreement? April yes April! I don't want to listen to this anymore. If I don't have snowdrops, one of my subjects won't have a head! (To the Crown Prosecutor) Who do you think is to blame for the fact that I have no snowdrops?
ROYAL PROSECUTOR. I presume, Your Majesty, the head gardener!
CHIEF GARDENER (falling to his knees). Your Majesty, I am responsible only for garden plants! The chief forester is responsible for forestry!
QUEEN. Very good. If there are no snowdrops, I will order both (writes in the air with his hand) to be executed! Chancellor, order the verdict to be prepared.
CHANCELLOR. Oh, Your Majesty, I have everything ready. You just need to enter your name and attach a stamp.
At this time the door opens. An officer of the royal guard enters.
OFFICER OF THE ROYAL GUARD. Your Majesty, by royal decree, snowdrops have arrived at the palace!
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. How did you arrive?..
OFFICER OF THE ROYAL GUARD. No way! They were delivered by two persons without titles or titles!
QUEEN. Call them here, two persons without titles or titles!
The Old Woman and the Daughter enter with a basket in their hands.
(Rising up.) Here, here! (Runs up to the basket and rips the tablecloth off it.) So these are snowdrops?
OLD WOMAN. And what kind, Your Majesty! Fresh, forest, just out of the snowdrifts! They tore it themselves!
QUEEN (pulling out handfuls of snowdrops). These are real flowers, not like yours - what's their name - opuloides or marin root! (Pins a bouquet to his chest.) Today let everyone put them through buttonholes and pin snowdrops to the dress. I don't want any other flowers, (To the gardeners.) Go away!
HEAD GARDENER (delighted). Thank you, Your Majesty!
The gardeners leave with flowers. The Queen distributes snowdrops to all guests.
CHAMPIONSHIP (pinning flowers to her dress) These cute flowers remind me of the times when I was very little and ran along the paths of the park...
QUEEN. You were little and even ran along the paths of the park? (Laughs) It must have been very funny. What a shame that I was not yet alive then! And this is for you, Mister Chief of the Royal Guard.
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARD (accepting a snowdrop from the Queen). Thank you, Your Majesty. I will keep this precious flower in a golden case.
QUEEN. Better put it in a glass of water!
PROFESSOR. This time you are absolutely right, Your Majesty. In a glass of cool, unboiled water.
QUEEN. I'm always right, Mr. Professor. But this time you were wrong. Here's a snowdrop for you, even though you think they don't exist in winter.
PROFESSOR (closely examining the flower). Thank you, Your Majesty... It doesn’t happen!
QUEEN. Ah, professor, professor! If you were a simple schoolboy, I would put you in a corner for being stubborn. It doesn't matter whether it's this one or that one. Yes, yes!.. And this is for you, Crown Prosecutor. Pin to your black robe for a little more fun to watch!
ROYAL PROSECUTOR (pinning a snowdrop to his robe). Thank you, Your Majesty! This cute flower will replace my medal.
QUEEN. Okay, every year I will give you a flower instead of an order! Well, did everyone pin up the flowers? All? Very good. This means that now the New Year has come in my kingdom. December is over. You can congratulate me!
ALL. Happy New Year, Your Majesty! With new happiness!
QUEEN. Happy New Year! Happy New Year! Light up the Christmas tree! I want to dance!
The lights on the Christmas tree are lit. Music is playing. The Ambassador of the Western Power bows respectfully and solemnly to the Queen. Oka gives him his hand. The dancing begins. The Queen dances with the Ambassador of the Western Power, the Chamberlain with the Chief of the Royal Guard. Other couples follow them.
(Dancing, to the Western Ambassador.) Dear Ambassador, can you trip up my chamberlain? It would be so much fun if she stretched out in the middle of the hall.
WESTERN AMBASSADOR. Sorry, Your Majesty, it seems I didn’t quite understand you...
QUEEN (dancing). Dear Chamberlain, be careful! You touched the Christmas tree with your long train and seemed to catch fire... Well, yes, you are burning, burning!
THE MISTER. Am I on fire? Help me!
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. Fire! Call all fire departments!
QUEEN (laughs). No, I was joking. Happy April 1st!
THE MISTER. Why - from the first of April?
QUEEN. But because the snowdrops have bloomed!.. Well, dance, dance!
CHAMPIONSHIP (to the Chief of the Royal Guard, gradually moving away from the Queen in a dance). Oh, I’m so afraid that our queen will start some more extravagant prank today! You can expect everything from her. This is such an ill-mannered girl!
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. However, she is your pupil, Madam Chamberlain!
THE MISTER. Oh, what could I do with her! She is all like her father and mother. Mother's whims, father's whims. In winter she needs snowdrops, and in summer she needs icicles.
QUEEN. I'm tired of dancing!
Everyone stops immediately. The Queen goes to her throne.
OLD WOMAN. Your Majesty, allow us to congratulate you on the New Year!
QUEEN. Oh, are you still here?
OLD WOMAN. Here for now. So we stand with our empty basket.
QUEEN. Oh yes. Chancellor, order gold to be poured into their basket.
CHANCELLOR. A full basket, Your Majesty?
OLD WOMAN. As promised, Your Grace. How many flowers, so much gold.
CHANCELLOR. But, Your Majesty, they have much more earth in their basket than flowers!
OLD WOMAN. Without soil, flowers wither, your grace.
QUEEN (to the Professor). This is true?
PROFESSOR. Yes, Your Majesty, but it would be more correct to say: plants need soil!
QUEEN. Pay in gold for the snowdrops, and the land in my kingdom already belongs to me. Isn't that right, Mr. Crown Prosecutor?
ROYAL Attorney. The absolute truth, Your Majesty!
The Chancellor takes the basket and leaves.
QUEEN (looks triumphantly at everyone). So, the month of April has not yet arrived, but the snowdrops have already bloomed. What do you say now, dear professor?
PROFESSOR. I still think this is wrong!
QUEEN. Wrong?
PROFESSOR. Yes, that doesn't happen!
WESTERN AMBASSADOR. This is indeed, Your Majesty, a very rare and wonderful case. It would be very interesting to know where and how these women found such lovely spring flowers in the harshest time of the year.
EASTERN AMBASSADOR. I have become all ears and am waiting for an amazing story!
QUEEN (to the Old Woman and Daughter). Tell us where you found the flowers.
The old woman and daughter are silent.
Why are you silent?
OLD WOMAN (To her daughter). You speak.
DAUGHTER. Speak for yourself.
OLD WOMAN (stepping forward, clears her throat and bows). Telling the story, Your Majesty, is not difficult. It was more difficult to find snowdrops in the forest. When my daughter and I heard the royal decree, we both thought: we won’t live, we’ll freeze, but we’ll carry out Her Majesty’s will. We took a broom and a spatula each and went into the forest. We clear the path in front of us with brooms and rake out the snowdrifts with shovels. But it’s dark in the forest, and it’s cold in the forest... We walk, we walk, we can’t see the edge of the forest. I look at my daughter, and she is completely frozen, her arms and legs are shaking. Oh, I think we're both lost...
CHAMPIONSHIP (throws up her hands). On your knees? Oh, how scary!
QUEEN. Don't interrupt, Chamberlain! Tell me more.
OLD WOMAN. Please, Your Majesty. We crawled and crawled, and finally got to this very place. And it’s such a wonderful place that it’s impossible to describe it. The snowdrifts are high, higher than the trees, and in the middle there is a lake, round as a saucer. The water in it does not freeze, white ducks swim in the water, and flowers are visible and invisible along the banks.
QUEEN. And all the snowdrops?
OLD WOMAN. All sorts of flowers, Your Majesty. I've never seen anything like this.
The Chancellor brings in a basket of gold and places it next to the Old Woman and Daughter.
(Looking at the gold.) It’s as if the whole earth is covered with a colored carpet.
THE MISTER. Oh, this must be lovely! Flowers, birds!
QUEEN. What birds? She didn't talk about the birds.
CHAMPIONSHIP (shyly). Ducks.
QUEEN (to the Professor). Are ducks birds?
PROFESSOR. Waterfowl, your majesty.
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. Do mushrooms grow there too?
DAUGHTER. And mushrooms.
ROYAL PROSECUTOR. What about berries?
DAUGHTER. Strawberries, blueberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, viburnum, rowan...
PROFESSOR. How? Snowdrops, mushrooms and berries - at the same time? Can't be!
OLD WOMAN. That’s what’s so precious, your honor, what cannot be, but is. And flowers, and mushrooms, and berries - everything is just right!
WESTERN AMBASSADOR. Are there any plums there?
EASTERN AMBASSADOR. And nuts?
DAUGHTER. Whatever you want!
QUEEN (clapping her hands). That's wonderful! Now go into the forest and bring me strawberries, nuts and plums from there!
OLD WOMAN. Your Majesty, have mercy!
QUEEN. What's happened? Don't you want to go?
OLD WOMAN (complainingly). But the road there is very long, Your Majesty!
QUEEN. How far away, if only yesterday I signed the decree, and today you brought me flowers!
OLD WOMAN. That's right, Your Majesty, but we were very cold on the way.
QUEEN. Are you frozen? Nothing. I will order you to be given warm fur coats. (Signs to the servant.) Bring two fur coats, quickly.
OLD WOMAN (To her daughter, quietly). What should we do?
DAUGHTER (quietly). We'll send her.
OLD WOMAN (quietly). Will she find it?
DAUGHTER (quietly). She will find it!
QUEEN. What are you whispering about there?
OLD WOMAN. Before we die, we say goodbye, Your Majesty... You have given us such a task that you don’t know whether you will return or disappear. Well, nothing can be done. I need to serve you. So tell us to give you a fur coat. We'll go ourselves. (Takes a basket of gold.)
QUEEN. They'll give you the fur coats now, but leave the gold for now. When you return, you will receive two baskets at once!
The old woman puts the basket on the floor. The Chancellor puts her away.
Come back sooner. We need strawberries, plums and nuts for New Year's dinner today!
The servants give fur coats to the Daughter and the Old Woman. They are getting dressed. They look at each other;
OLD WOMAN. Thank you, Your Majesty, for the fur coats. In these, the frost is not terrible. Although they are not on a gray fox, they are warm. Farewell, Your Majesty, wait for us with nuts and berries.
They bow and hurriedly go to the door.
QUEEN. Stop! (Claps his hands.) Give me my fur coat too! Give everyone fur coats! Yes, order the horses to be pawned.
CHANCELLOR. Where do you want to go, Your Majesty?
QUEEN (almost jumping). We are going to the forest, to this very round lake, and we will pick strawberries there in the snow. It will be like strawberries with ice cream... Let's go! Let's go!
THE MISTER. I knew it... What a lovely idea!
WESTERN AMBASSADOR. You can't think of a better New Year's fun!
EASTERN AMBASSADOR. This invention is worthy of Harun al-Rashid himself!
THE MISTER (wrapping herself in a fur cape and fur coat). How good! So funny!
QUEEN. Place these two women in the front sleigh. They will show us the way.
Everyone is getting ready to go, heading to the door.
DAUGHTER. Ay! We're lost!
OLD WOMAN (quietly). Shut up!.. Your Majesty!
QUEEN. What do you want?
OLD WOMAN. Your Majesty cannot go!
QUEEN. And why is that?
OLD WOMAN. And there are snowdrifts in the forest - you can’t walk through them, you can’t drive them through! The sleigh will get stuck!
QUEEN. Well, if you cleared a path for yourself with a broom and a shovel, then they will pave a wide path for me. (To the chief of the royal guard.) Order a regiment of soldiers to go into the forest with shovels and brooms.
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. It will be done, Your Majesty!
QUEEN. Well, is everything ready? Let's go! (Goes to the door.)
OLD WOMAN. Your Majesty!
QUEEN. I don't want to listen to you anymore! Not a word until the lake. You will show the way with signs!
OLD WOMAN. Which road? Your Majesty! After all, there is no such lake!
QUEEN. How is it not?
OLD WOMAN. No and no!.. While we were still there, he was covered in ice.
DAUGHTER. And it was covered with snow!
THE MISTER. What about the ducks?
OLD WOMAN. They flew away.
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. So much for waterfowl!
WESTERN AMBASSADOR. What about strawberries and plums?
EASTERN AMBASSADOR. Nuts?
OLD WOMAN. Everything, as it is, is covered with snow!
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. But at least there are still mushrooms left?
QUEEN. Dried! (To the old woman, threateningly.) I see you are laughing at me!
OLD WOMAN. Do we dare, Your Majesty!
QUEEN (sitting down on the throne and wrapping herself in a fur coat). So. If you don't tell me where you got them, your heads will be cut off tomorrow. No, today, now. (To the professor.) As you say, there’s no need to put it off until tomorrow...
PROFESSOR. ...what can be done today, Your Majesty!
QUEEN. That's it! (To the Old Woman and Daughter.) Well, answer! Only the truth. Otherwise it will be bad.
The head of the royal guard takes up the hilt of his sword. The Old Woman and Daughter fall to their knees.
OLD WOMAN (crying). We ourselves don’t know, Your Majesty!..
DAUGHTER. We don't know anything!..
QUEEN. How is this so? Have you picked a whole basket of snowdrops and don’t know where?
OLD WOMAN. We didn't tear it up!
QUEEN. Oh, how's that? Didn't you tear it up? Then who?
OLD WOMAN. My stepdaughter, Your Majesty! It was she, the scoundrel, who went into the forest for me. She also brought snowdrops.
QUEEN. She goes to the forest, and you go to the palace? Why didn't you take her with you?
OLD WOMAN. She stayed at home, Your Majesty. Someone needs to look after the house too.
QUEEN. So you would look after the house, and they would send the scoundrel here.
OLD WOMAN. How can you send her to the palace? She is afraid of our people, like a forest animal.
QUEEN. Well, can your little animal show you the way to the forest, to the snowdrops?
OLD WOMAN. Yes, that's right, it can. If you found the way once, you will find it another time. Only if he wants...
QUEEN. How dare she not want to if I order?
OLD WOMAN. She is stubborn among us, Your Majesty.
QUEEN. Well, I'm stubborn too! Let's see who can outdo who!
DAUGHTER. And if she doesn’t listen to you, Your Majesty, order her head to be cut off! That's all!
QUEEN. I myself know whose head to cut off. (Rises from the throne.) Well, listen. We all go to the forest to pick snowdrops, strawberries, plums and nuts. (To the old woman and her daughter.) And they will give you the fastest horses, and you, together with this little animal of yours, will catch up with us.
OLD WOMAN AND DAUGHTER (bowing). We listen, Your Majesty! (They want to go.)
QUEEN. Wait!.. (To the head of the royal guard.) Assign two soldiers with guns to them... No, four - so that these liars don’t try to sneak away from us.
OLD WOMAN. Oh, fathers!..
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. It will be done, Your Majesty. They'll find out from me where dried mushrooms grow!
QUEEN. Very good. Bring us all a basket. The biggest one is for my professor. Let him see how snowdrops bloom in January in my climate!
ACT FOUR
PICTURE ONE
Forest. A round lake covered with ice. There is a dark hole in the middle of it. High snowdrifts. Two Squirrels appear on the branches of a pine and spruce tree.
FIRST SQUIRREL. Hello, squirrel!
SECOND SQUIRREL. Hello, squirrel!
FIRST SQUIRREL. Happy New Year!
FIRST SQUIRREL. With a new fur coat!
SECOND SQUIRREL. With new fur!
FIRST SQUIRREL. Here's a pine cone for the New Year! (Throws it.)
SECOND SQUIRREL. And for you - spruce! (Throws it.)
FIRST SQUIRREL. Pine!
SECOND SQUIRREL. Spruce!
FIRST SQUIRREL. Pine!
SECOND SQUIRREL. Spruce!
RAVEN (above). Carr! Carr! Hello squirrels.
FIRST SQUIRREL. Hello, grandfather, Happy New Year!
SECOND SQUIRREL. Happy new happiness, grandfather! How are you doing?
CROW. In the old way.
FIRST SQUIRREL. Grandfather, how many times have you celebrated the New Year?
CROW. Half a century.
SECOND SQUIRREL. Look how! But you, grandfather, are an old raven!
CROW. Let's die, but death has arrived!
FIRST SQUIRREL. Is it true that you know everything in the world?
CROW. Is it true.
SECOND SQUIRREL. Well, tell us about everything you saw.
FIRST SQUIRREL. About everything I've heard.
CROW. Long story!
FIRST SQUIRREL. Tell me briefly.
CROW. Shorter? Carr!
SECOND SQUIRREL. And you are more authentic!
CROW. Carr, carr, carr!
FIRST SQUIRREL. In your opinion, in the crow's way, we don't understand.
Crow. And you study foreign languages. Take your lessons!
The Hare jumps out into the clearing.
FIRST SQUIRREL. Hello, short one! Happy New Year!
SECOND SQUIRREL. With new happiness!
FIRST SQUIRREL. Happy new snow!
SECOND SQUIRREL. Happy new frost!
HARE. What a frost it is! I felt hot. The snow is melting under your paws... Squirrels, squirrels, have you seen our wolf?
FIRST SQUIRREL. What do you need a wolf for?
SECOND SQUIRREL. Why are you looking for him?
HARE. It’s not me who is looking for him, but he who is looking for me! Where should I hide?
FIRST SQUIRREL. And you climb into our hollow - it’s warm, soft and dry here - and you won’t get into the wolf’s belly.
SECOND SQUIRREL. Jump, hare, jump!
FIRST SQUIRREL. Jump up, jump up!
HARE. I have no time for jokes. The wolf is chasing me, sharpening its teeth at me, wants to eat me!
FIRST SQUIRREL. Your business is bad, hare. Get your feet out of here. Over there the snow is falling, the bushes are moving - that’s right, there really is a wolf!
The hare is hiding. A Wolf runs out from behind a snowdrift.
WOLF. I feel he’s here, big-eared one! He will not leave me, he will not hide. Squirrels, have you seen a lot of squirrels?
FIRST SQUIRREL. How can you not see it? He looked and looked for you, ran around the whole forest, asking everyone about you: where is the wolf, where is the wolf?
WOLF. Well, I'll show him where the wolf is! Which way did he go?
FIRST SQUIRREL. And that one over there.
WOLF. Why doesn't the trail lead there?
SECOND SQUIRREL. Yes, he has now left his trace. The trail went there, and he went here!
WOLF. Oooh, I love you, clickers, spinners! You'll bare your teeth at me!
RAVEN (from the top of the tree). Carr, carr! Don't fight, gray one, it's better to run away in good time!
WOLF. You won't be scared, you old rogue. I deceived him twice, I won’t believe it the third time.
CROW. Believe it or not, the soldiers are coming here, carrying shovels!
WOLF. Deceive others. I won’t leave here, I’ll guard the hare!
CROW. A whole company is coming!
WOLF. And I don’t want to listen to you!
CROW. Yes, not a rota, but a brr-rigada!
The wolf raises his head and sniffs the air.
Well, whose truth? Do you believe now?
WOLF. I don’t believe you, but I believe my nose. Raven, raven, old friend, where can I hide?
CROW. Jump into the hole!
WOLF. I'll drown!
CROW. That's where you want to go!
A wolf crawls across the stage on its belly.
What, brother, is it scary? Are you crawling on your belly now?
WOLF. I'm not afraid of anyone, but I'm afraid of people. I'm not afraid of people, but of clubs. Not clubs, but guns!
The wolf disappears. The stage is completely quiet for a while. Then footsteps and voices are heard. The Chief of the Royal Guard slides down the steep bank straight onto the ice. He falls. The Professor rolls up behind him.
PROFESSOR. You seem to have fallen?
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. No, I just lay down to rest. (Grunting, he gets up and rubs his knees.) It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to ride down the icy mountains. At least sixty years old. What do you think, dear professor, is this lake?
PROFESSOR. Without a doubt, this is some kind of water basin. In all likelihood, a lake.
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. And at the same time completely round. Don't you think it's completely round?
PROFESSOR. No, you can’t call it completely round. Rather, it is oval, or, more accurately, elliptical.
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. I don't know, maybe from a scientific point of view. But, at a simple glance, it is round, like a plate. You know, I believe that this is the same lake...
GUARDS APPEAR WITH SHOVELS AND BROOMS. The soldiers quickly clear the slope to the lake and lay out a carpet. The Queen descends along the path, followed by the Chamberlain, ambassadors and other guests.
QUEEN (to the Professor). You said, professor, that there were wild animals in the forest, but I haven’t seen a single one yet... Where are they? Show them to me please! Yes, hurry up.
PROFESSOR. I believe they are sleeping, Your Majesty...
QUEEN. Do they go to bed that early? It's still quite light.
PROFESSOR. Many of them go to bed even earlier - in the fall - and sleep until spring, until the snow melts.
QUEEN. There is so much snow here that it seems like it will never melt! I didn’t even think that there were such high snowdrifts and such strange, crooked trees in the world. I even like it! (To the Chamberlain.) What about you?
THE MISTER. Of course, Your Majesty, I am crazy about nature!
QUEEN. I thought so, that from nature! Ah, I am very sorry for you, dear chamberlain!
THE MISTER. But that’s not what I wanted to say at all, Your Majesty. I wanted to say that I absolutely love nature!
QUEEN. But she must not love you very much. Just look in the mirror. Your nose has become completely blue. Close it quickly with the clutch!
THE MISTER. Thank you, Your Majesty! You are much more attentive to me than to yourself. I'm afraid that your nose has also turned a little blue...
QUEEN. Still would! I'm cold. Give me a fur cape!
THE MISTER AND LADIES OF THE COURT. Me too, please! And me! And me!
At this time, one of the soldiers clearing the road takes off his cloak and jacket with fur trim. Other soldiers follow his example.
QUEEN. Explain to me what this means. We were almost numb from the cold, and these people even threw off their jackets.
PROFESSOR (trembling). V-v-v... This is quite understandable. Increased movement promotes blood circulation.
QUEEN. I didn’t understand anything... Movement, blood circulation... Call these soldiers here!
Two Soldiers approach - an old one and a young one, without a mustache. The young man quickly wipes the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and stretches his arms at his sides.
Tell me, why did you wipe your forehead?
YOUNG SOLDIER. Guilty, Your Majesty!
QUEEN. No, why?
YOUNG SOLDIER. Out of foolishness, Your Majesty! Don't be angry!
QUEEN. Yes, I'm not angry with you at all. Answer boldly, why?
YOUNG SOLDIER (embarrassed). He burst into tears, Your Majesty!
QUEEN. How? What does it mean - vomited?
OLD SOLDIER. That’s what we say, Your Majesty,” he felt hot.
QUEEN. And are you hot?
OLD SOLDIER. It wouldn't be too hot!
QUEEN. From what?
OLD SOLDIER. From an ax, from a shovel and from a broom, Your Majesty!
QUEEN. How's that? You heard? Chamberlain, Chancellor, Royal Prosecutor, take your axes. Give me a broom! Take all the brooms, shovels, axes - whatever you like!
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. Madam Chamberlain, allow me to show you how to hold a shovel. And they dig like this, like this!
THE MISTER. Thank you. I haven't dug for a very long time.
QUEEN. Have you ever dug?
THE MISTER. Yes, Your Majesty, I had a lovely green bucket and scoop.
QUEEN. Why didn't you ever show them to me?
THE MISTER. Oh, I lost them in the garden when I was three years old...
QUEEN. You are obviously not only insane, but also naturally absent-minded. Take a broom and don't lose it. She's official!
WESTERN AMBASSADOR. What do you order us to do, Your Majesty?
QUEEN. Did you play any sports in your homeland, Mr. Ambassador?
WESTERN AMBASSADOR. I played tennis quite well, Your Majesty.
QUEEN. Well, then take a shovel! (To the Eastern Ambassador.) And you, Mr. Ambassador?
EASTERN AMBASSADOR. In the golden years of my youth I rode an Arabian horse.
QUEEN. Did you jump? In this case, trample the paths!
The Eastern Ambassador throws up his hands and steps aside. Everyone except him is working.
But it really does make it warmer. (Wipes sweat from his forehead.) I even burst into tears!
THE MISTER. Oh!
Everyone stops working in surprise and looks at the Queen.
QUEEN. Isn't that what I said?
PROFESSOR. No, you said absolutely correctly, Your Majesty, but I dare say that the expression This is not entirely secular, but, so to speak, folk.
QUEEN. Well, the queen must know the language of her people! You yourself repeat this to me before every grammar lesson!
PROFESSOR. I'm afraid that you, Your Majesty, did not quite understand my words correctly...
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. And you would have spoken more simply. This is how I do it, for example: one, two, march in step - and everyone understands me.
QUEEN (throwing away the broom). One, two, throw down the brooms and shovels! I'm tired of sweeping away the snow! (To the head of the royal guard.) Where have these women gone who are supposed to show us where the snowdrops grow?
ROYAL PROSECUTOR. I fear that these criminals deceived the guards and disappeared.
QUEEN. You are responsible for them with your head, Chief of the Royal Guard! If they're not here in a minute...
RINGING BELLS. Horses neighing. The Old Woman, Daughter and Stepdaughter come out from behind the bushes. They are surrounded by guards.
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. Here they are, Your Majesty!
QUEEN. Finally!
OLD WOMAN (looking around, to herself). Look, lake! After all, you lie, you lie, and inadvertently you lie the truth! (To the Queen.) Your Majesty, I brought you my stepdaughter. Don't be angry.
QUEEN. Bring her here. Oh, that's what you are! I thought you were some kind of furry, club-footed person, but it turns out you are beautiful. (To the Chancellor.) Isn't she very nice?
CHANCELLOR. In the presence of my queen, I see no one and nothing!
QUEEN. Your glasses must be frozen. (To the Professor.) What do you say?
PROFESSOR. I will say that in winter in countries temperate climate…
EASTERN AMBASSADOR. What kind of temperate climate is this? Not moderate at all. Too cold climate!
PROFESSOR. Forgive me, Mr. Ambassador, but in geography it is called temperate... So, in temperate countries, residents wear warm clothes made of fur and down in winter.
QUEEN. “Fly - fluff”... What do you want to say?
PROFESSOR. I want to say that this girl needs warm clothes. Look, she's completely frozen!
QUEEN. This time you seem to be right, although you could have been shorter. You take every opportunity to give me a lesson in geography, arithmetic or even singing!.. Bring this girl warm clothes made of fur and down, or, in human terms, a fur coat!.. Well, put it on her!
STEPDAUGHTER. Thank you.
QUEEN. Wait to thank! I will also give you a basket of gold, twelve velvet dresses, shoes with silver heels, a bracelet for each hand and a diamond ring for each finger! Want?
STEPDAUGHTER. Thank you. But I don’t need any of this.
QUEEN. Nothing at all?
STEPDAUGHTER. No, I need one ring. Not ten of yours, but one of mine!
QUEEN. Is one better than ten?
STEPDAUGHTER. For me it's better than a hundred.
OLD WOMAN. Don't listen to her, Your Majesty!
DAUGHTER. She doesn't know what she's saying!
STEPDAUGHTER. No, I know. I had a ring, but you took it and don’t want to give it back.
DAUGHTER. Did you see how we took it?
STEPDAUGHTER. I haven’t seen it, but I know that you have it.
QUEEN (to the Old Woman and Daughter). Come on, give me this ring here!
OLD WOMAN. Your Majesty, take my word for it, we don’t have it!
DAUGHTER. And it never happened, Your Majesty.
QUEEN. And now it will be. Give me a ring, or else...
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. Hurry up, witches! The Queen is angry.
The daughter, looking at the Queen, takes a ring out of her pocket.
STEPDAUGHTER. My! There is no other like it in the world.
OLD WOMAN. Oh, daughter, why did you hide someone else’s ring?
DAUGHTER. You said it yourself - put it in your pocket if it doesn’t fit on your finger!
Everyone laughs.
QUEEN. Beautiful ring... Where did you get it from?
STEPDAUGHTER. They gave it to me.
ROYAL PROSECUTOR. Who gave it?
STEPDAUGHTER. I will not say.
QUEEN. Eh, you really are stubborn! Well, guess what? So be it, take your ring!
STEPDAUGHTER. Is it true? Well, thank you!
QUEEN. Take it and remember: I’m giving it to you for showing me the place where you picked snowdrops yesterday. Hurry up!
STEPDAUGHTER. Then don't!..
QUEEN. What? Don't you need a ring? Well, then you'll never see him again! I'll throw him into the water, into the hole! It's a pity? I might feel sorry for it myself, but there’s nothing to be done about it. Tell me quickly where the snowdrops are. One two Three!
STEP-DAUGHTER (crying). My ring!
QUEEN. Do you think I really quit? No, it's still here, in the palm of my hand. Say just one word and you will have it. Well? How long will you remain stubborn? Take off her fur coat!
DAUGHTER. Let him freeze!
OLD WOMAN. Serves her right!
The Stepdaughter's fur coat is taken off. The Queen paces back and forth in anger. The courtiers follow her with their eyes. When the Queen turns away, the Old Soldier throws his cloak over the Stepdaughter's shoulders.
QUEEN (looking around). What does it mean? Who dared? Speak!
Silence.
Well, apparently, raincoats are falling from the sky on her! (Notices the Old Soldier without a cloak.) Ah, I see! Come here, come here... Where is your cloak?
OLD SOLDIER. You can see for yourself, Your Majesty.
QUEEN. How dare you?
OLD SOLDIER. And I, Your Majesty, somehow felt hot again. He has matured, as we say among the common people. And there’s nowhere to put the cloak...
QUEEN. Make sure you don't get even hotter! (Tears off the Stepdaughter’s cloak and tramples it with her feet.) Well, are you going to be stubborn, evil girl? Will you? Will you?
PROFESSOR. Your Majesty!
QUEEN. What's happened?
PROFESSOR. This is an unworthy act, Your Majesty! Tell her to give this girl the fur coat that you gave her and the ring that she apparently values very much, and we’ll go home. Forgive me, but your stubbornness will not bring us any good!
QUEEN. Oh, so I'm stubborn?
PROFESSOR. And who, dare I ask?
QUEEN. You seem to have forgotten which of us is the queen - you or me - and you decide to stand up for this headstrong girl, and let me speak insolence!.. You seem to have forgotten that the word “execute” is shorter than the word “pardon”!
PROFESSOR. Your Majesty!
QUEEN. No no no! I don't even want to listen to you anymore! Now I will order you to throw this ring, and the girl, and you after her into the hole! (Turns abruptly to the Stepdaughter.) I ask for the last time: will you show the way to the snowdrops? No?
STEPDAUGHTER. No!
QUEEN. Say goodbye to your ring and to your life at the same time! Grab her!.. (Throws the ring into the water with a flourish.)
Stepdaughter
(rushing forward)
You roll, roll, little ring,
On the spring porch,
In the summer canopy,
In the autumn teremok
Yes on the winter carpet
To the New Year's bonfire!
QUEEN. What, what is she saying?
The wind rises, a blizzard. Snow flakes are flying at random. The Queen, the courtiers, the Old Woman with her Daughter, and the soldiers are trying to cover their heads and protect their faces from the snowy whirlwind. Through the noise of the blizzard you can hear the tambourine of January, the horn of February, and the bells of March. Some white figures rush by along with the snowy whirlwind. Maybe it's the snowstorm, or maybe it's the winter months themselves. Whirling around, they take the Stepdaughter along with them as they run. She disappears.
To me! Quicker!
The wind swirls the Queen and all the courtiers. People fall, rise; finally, grabbing each other, they turn into one ball.
- Horses!
-Where are the horses? Coachman! Coachman!
Everyone, hugging the ground, freezes. In the noise of the storm, March bells are heard more and more often, and then April pipes. The snowstorm is subsiding. It becomes light and sunny. Birds are chirping.
Everyone raises their heads and looks around in surprise.
QUEEN. Spring has come!
PROFESSOR. Can't be!
QUEEN. How can this not be when the buds are already opening on the trees!
WESTERN AMBASSADOR. In fact, they open up... What kind of flowers are these?
QUEEN. Snowdrops! Everything turned out my way! (He quickly runs up a hillock covered with flowers.) Stop! Where is this girl? Where did your stepdaughter go?
OLD WOMAN. She's gone! She ran away, you wretch!
ROYAL PROSECUTOR. Look for her!
QUEEN. I don't need her anymore. I found the snowdrops myself. Look how many there are. (He eagerly rushes to collect flowers. Running from place to place, she moves away from everyone and suddenly notices a huge Bear right in front of her, who apparently just came out of the den) Ay! Who are you?
The bear leans towards her. The Old Soldier and the Professor run to the aid of the Queen from two different directions. The Professor threatens the Bear with his finger as he runs. The rest of the Queen's companions run away in fear. The chamberlain squeals shrilly.
PROFESSOR. Well, well!.. Shoot! Shoo!.. Go away!
SOLDIER. Don't be naughty, kid!
The bear, looking to the right and left, slowly goes into the thicket. The courtiers run to the Queen.
QUEEN. Who was it?
SOLDIER. Brown, your majesty.
PROFESSOR. Yes, brown bear is ursus in Latin. Obviously, he was awakened from hibernation by early spring... Oh, no, sorry, a thaw!
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. Why didn’t this brown bear touch you, Your Majesty?
ROYAL PROSECUTOR. Didn't you hurt?
THE MISTER. Didn't you scratch it?
QUEEN. No, he only said two words in my ear. About you, chamberlain!
THE MISTER. About me? What did he say about me, Your Majesty?
QUEEN. He asked why you were screaming and not me. This surprised him very much!
THE MISTER. I screamed in fear for you, Your Majesty!
QUEEN. That's it! Go explain that to the bear!
THE MISTER. Sorry, Your Majesty, but I am very afraid of mice and bears!
QUEEN. Well, then collect snowdrops!
THE MISTER. But I don't see them anymore...
CHANCELLOR. In fact, where are they?
QUEEN. Gone!
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. But there were berries!
OLD WOMAN. Your Majesty, if you please take a look - strawberries, blueberries, blueberries, raspberries - everything, as we told you!
THE MISTER. Blueberries, strawberries! Oh, how lovely!
DAUGHTER. You see for yourself, we spoke the truth!
The sun is shining more and more dazzlingly. Bees and bumblebees are buzzing. Summer is in full swing. The harp of July can be heard from afar.
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS (puffing). I can’t breathe!.. It’s hot!.. (Opens his fur coat.)
QUEEN. What is this - summer?
PROFESSOR. Can't be!
CHANCELLOR. However, this is true. The real month of July...
WESTERN AMBASSADOR. It's as hot as the desert.
EASTERN AMBASSADOR. No, it's cooler here!
Everyone takes off their fur coats, fans themselves with scarves, and sits down on the ground in exhaustion.
Chamberlain. I think I'm getting sunstroke. Water, water!
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. Water to Madame Chamberlain.
Thunderclap. Shower. Leaves are flying. Instant autumn is coming.
PROFESSOR. Rain!
ROYAL PROSECUTOR. What kind of rain is this?.. This is downpour!
OLD SOLDIER (handing a flask of water). Here's water for Madam Chamberlain!
THE MISTER. No need, I'm already all wet!
OLD SOLDIER. And that's true!
QUEEN. Give me an umbrella!
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. Where will I get an umbrella, Your Majesty, when we left in January, and now... (looks around) it must be the month of September...
PROFESSOR. Can't be.
QUEEN (angrily). There are no more months in my kingdom and there never will be! It was my professor who made them up!
ROYAL PROSECUTOR. I'm listening, Your Majesty! Will not be!
It's getting dark. An unimaginable hurricane is rising. The wind knocks down trees and carries away abandoned fur coats and shawls.
CHANCELLOR. What is it? The earth shakes... Chief of the Royal Guard. The sky is falling to earth!
OLD WOMAN. Fathers!
DAUGHTER. Mother!
The wind blows up the Chamberlain's magnificent dress, and she, barely touching the ground with her feet, rushes after the leaves and fur coats.
THE MISTER. Help me! Catch it!.. I'm flying!
The darkness deepens even more.
QUEEN (grasping the tree trunk with her hands). Now to the palace!.. Horses!.. But where are you all? Let's go!
CHANCELLOR. How should we go, Your Majesty? After all, we are in a sleigh, and the road has washed away.
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS. You can only ride through such mud on horseback!
EASTERN AMBASSADOR. He speaks the truth - on horseback! (Runs.)
Behind him are the Western Ambassador, the Prosecutor, and the Chief of the Royal Guard.
QUEEN. Stop! I will order you all to be executed!
Nobody listens to her.
WESTERN AMBASSADOR (running). Excuse me, Your Majesty, but only my king can execute me!
The clatter of hooves. On stage there are only the Queen, the Professor, the Old Woman with her Daughter and the Old Soldier. The rain stops. White flies fly through the air.
QUEEN. Look - it's snowing!.. It's winter again...
PROFESSOR. This is very likely. After all, it is now the month of January.
QUEEN (shuddering). Give me your fur coat. Cold!
SOLDIER. If only it weren't cold, Your Majesty! There is nothing worse - first getting wet and then freezing. Only the fur coats were blown away by the wind. After all, your majesty, they are light and fluffy, but the whirlwind was angry...
A wolf howl is heard not far away.
QUEEN. Do you hear?.. What is that wind howling?
SOLDIER. No, Your Majesty, wolves.
QUEEN. How scary! Order the sleigh to be brought quickly. After all, now it’s winter, we can ride in a sleigh again.
PROFESSOR. Absolutely right, Your Majesty, in winter people ride in sleighs and (sighs) light their stoves...
The soldier leaves.
OLD WOMAN. I told you, Your Majesty, you don’t need to go into the forest!
DAUGHTER. She wanted snowdrops!
QUEEN. And you needed gold! (After a pause.) How dare you talk to me like that?
DAUGHTER. Look, you're offended!
OLD WOMAN. We are not in the palace, Your Majesty, but in the forest!
SOLDIER (returns and pulls the sleigh). Here they are, your Majesty, sit down if you like, but there is no one to ride on.
QUEEN. Where are the horses?
SOLDIER. The gentlemen rode off on them. They didn't leave one for us.
QUEEN. Well, I’ll show these gentlemen if I can get to the palace! But how to get there? (To the professor.) Well, tell me how? You know everything in the world!
PROFESSOR. Sorry, Your Majesty, unfortunately, not all...
QUEEN. But we'll be lost here! I'm cold, I'm in pain. I'll soon be frozen through! Ah, my ears, my nose! All my fingers are cramped!..
SOLDIER. And you, Your Majesty, rub your ears and nose with snow, otherwise, before you know it, you will actually get frostbitten.
QUEEN (rubs her ears and nose with snow). And why did I sign this stupid order!
DAUGHTER. Really stupid! If you hadn’t signed it, we would be sitting at home now, warm, celebrating the New Year. Now freeze here like a dog!
QUEEN. Why do you listen to every stupid word? You know that I’m still little!.. They wanted to ride with the queen!.. (Jumps on one leg, then on the other.) Oh, I can’t take it anymore, it’s cold! (To the Professor.) Come up with something!
PROFESSOR (blowing on his palms). This is a difficult task, Your Majesty... If only it were possible to harness someone to this sleigh...
QUEEN. Who?
PROFESSOR. Well, a horse, for example, or at least a dozen sled dogs.
SOLDIER. Where can you find dogs in the forest? As they say, a good owner will not kick out his dog in such weather.
The old woman and the daughter sit on a fallen tree.
OLD WOMAN. Oh, we can't get out of here! We would have walked on foot, but our legs couldn’t move - we were completely numb...
DAUGHTER. Oh, we're lost!
OLD WOMAN. Oh, my legs!
DAUGHTER. Oh, my hands!
SOLDIER. Quiet you! Someone is coming...
QUEEN. It's behind me!
OLD WOMAN. No matter how it is! Everyone is only worried about her.
A tall Old Man in a white fur coat comes onto the stage. It's January. He looks around the forest like a proprietor, tapping on the tree trunks. A squirrel pokes its head out of the hollow. He shakes his finger at her. The squirrel is hiding. He notices the uninvited guests and approaches them.
OLD MAN. Why did you come here?
QUEEN (plaintively). For snowdrops...
OLD MAN. Now is not the time for snowdrops.
PROFESSOR (trembling). Absolutely correct!
RAVEN (from the tree). That's right!
QUEEN. I myself see that it’s not time. Teach us how to get out of here!
OLD MAN. Once you arrive, get out.
SOLDIER. Sorry, old man, we couldn’t catch up with the ones we came with even on wings. They rode off without us. Are you from here, I guess?
OLD MAN. Local in winter, foreign in summer.
QUEEN. Help us please! Get us out of here. I will reward you royally. If you want gold or silver, I won’t regret anything!
OLD MAN. But I don’t need anything, I have everything. There's so much silver - you've never seen so much! (Raises his hand.)
All the snow flashes with silver and diamond sparks.
Not you, but I can give you a gift. Say who needs what for the New Year, who has what wish.
QUEEN. I want one thing - to the palace. But there’s nothing to ride on!
OLD MAN. There will be something to ride on. (To the Professor.) Well, what do you want?
PROFESSOR. I would like everything to be in its place and in its time again: winter is winter, summer is summer, and we are at home.
OLD MAN. It will come true! (To the soldier.) What do you want, soldier?
SOLDIER. Why should I! Warm up by the fire, and everything will be fine. It hurts to freeze.
OLD MAN. You'll warm up. There's a fire nearby.
DAUGHTER. And we both have a fur coat!
OLD WOMAN. Just wait! What's the hurry?
DAUGHTER. What are you waiting for! Any fur coat, even dog fur, but just now, quickly!
OLD MAN (pulls out two dog fur coats from his bosom). Hold it!
OLD WOMAN. Excuse me, your honor, we don’t need these fur coats. That's not what she wanted to say!
OLD MAN. What is said is said. Wear fur coats. Wearing them means not tearing them down!
OLD WOMAN (holding a fur coat in her hands). You're a fool, you're a fool! If you ask for a fur coat, then at least a sable one!
DAUGHTER. You yourself are a fool! We should have spoken on time.
OLD WOMAN. Not only did she get herself a dog fur coat, but she also forced it on me!
DAUGHTER. And if you don’t like it, give me yours too, it will be warmer. And freeze here under the bush, don’t mind!
OLD WOMAN. So I gave it away, keep your pocket wider!
Both quickly get dressed, quarreling.
Hurry up! I begged for a dog fur coat!
DAUGHTER. Doggy suits you just right! You bark like a dog!
QUEEN. Oh, dogs, hold them! They will bite us!
SOLDIER (breaking off a branch). Don't worry, Your Majesty. We say that a dog is afraid of a stick.
PROFESSOR. In fact, dogs are great for riding. Eskimos make long journeys on them...
SOLDIER. And that’s true! Let's harness them to the sleigh and let them take them. It's a shame there aren't many of them. We need a dozen!
QUEEN. These dogs are worth a dozen. Harness it quickly!
The soldier harnesses up. Everyone sits down.
OLD MAN. So much for New Year's skating. Well, have a nice trip! Touch it, servant, turn it on. There's a fire burning there. When you get there, you'll warm up!
PICTURE TWO
Clearing in the forest. People sit around the fire all months. Among them is the Stepdaughter. Months take turns adding brushwood to the fire.
You burn, fire, burn,
Cook spring resins.
Let from our cauldron
Resin will go down the trunks,
So that the whole earth in spring
It smelled like fir and pine!
All months
Burn, burn clearly
So that it doesn't go out!
JANUARY (to stepdaughter). Well, dear guest, throw some brushwood on the fire. It will burn even hotter.
STEP-DAUGHTER (throws an armful of dry branches)
Burn, burn clearly
So that it doesn't go out!
JANUARY. What, I suppose you're hot? Look how your cheeks are heating up!
FEBRUARY. Is it any wonder, straight from the cold and to such fire! Here both frost and fire are burning - one is hotter than the other, not everyone can endure it.
STEPDAUGHTER. It’s okay, I love it when the fire burns hot!
JANUARY. We know this. That’s why they let you near our fire.
STEPDAUGHTER. Thank you. You saved me from death twice. And I’m ashamed to look you in the eyes... I lost your gift.
APRIL. Lost it? Come on, guess what's in my hand!
STEPDAUGHTER. Ring!
APRIL. You guessed it! Take your ring. It's good that you didn't feel sorry for him today. Otherwise you would never see the ring or us again. Wear it, and you will always be warm and light: in cold weather, in blizzards, and in autumn fog. Although they say that April is a deceptive month, the April sun will never deceive you!
STEPDAUGHTER. So my lucky ring has returned to me! It was dear to me, and now it will be even more dear. I’m just scared to return home with him, lest they take him away again...
JANUARY. No, they won't take it away anymore. There is no one to take it away! You will go to your home and be a complete mistress. Now it’s not you who are with us, but we who will be your guest.
MAY. We'll take turns eating with everyone. Everyone will come with their own gift.
SEPTEMBER. We, the months, are a rich people. Just know how to accept gifts from us.
OCTOBER. You will have such apples, flowers and berries in your garden as have never been seen in the world.
The bear brings a large chest.
JANUARY. In the meantime, here's this chest for you. You can’t return home empty-handed from your brothers-months.
STEPDAUGHTER. I don’t know what words to thank you with!
FEBRUARY. First, open the chest and see what’s in it. Maybe we didn't please you.
APRIL. Here's the key to the chest. Open it up.
The stepdaughter lifts the lid and sorts through the gifts. In the chest are fur coats, dresses embroidered with silver, silver shoes and a whole heap of bright, lush outfits.
STEPDAUGHTER. Oh, and you can’t take your eyes off it! I saw the queen today, but she didn’t have such dresses or such a fur coat.
DECEMBER. Well, try on some new clothes!
The months surround her. When they part, the Stepdaughter finds herself in a new dress, a new fur coat, and new shoes.
APRIL. Well, what a beauty you are! Both the dress suits you and the fur coat. And the shoes fit.
FEBRUARY. It’s just a pity to run in such shoes along forest paths and cross windfalls. Apparently, we’ll have to give you a sleigh too. (Claps his mittens.) Hey? Forest workers, are there any painted sledges, covered with sable, upholstered in silver?
Several forest animals - Fox, Hare, Squirrel - roll white sleighs on silver runners onto the stage.
RAVEN (from the tree). Nice sled, really good!
JANUARY. That's right, old man, the sled is good! You can't harness just any horse to these.
MAY. It won't be a matter of the horses. I will give you horses as good as sleighs. My horses are well-fed, their hooves are in gold, their manes are shining with silver, they will stamp on the ground - thunder will strike. (Claps his hands.)
Two horses appear.
MARCH. Oh, what kind of horses! Whoops! You'll have a great ride. It’s just not fun to drive without bells and bells. So be it, I’ll give you my bells. I call a lot - the road is more fun!
The months surround the sleigh, harness the horses, and place the chest. At this time, from somewhere far away comes the hoarse barking and growling of squabbling dogs.
STEPDAUGHTER. Queen! And the teacher with her, and the soldier... Where did they get their dogs from?
JANUARY. Wait, you'll find out! Come on, brothers, add some brushwood to the fire. I promised this soldier to warm him up by our fire.
STEPDAUGHTER. Warm it up, grandpa! He helped me collect brushwood and gave me his cloak when I was cold.
JANUARY (to brothers). What do you say?
DECEMBER. If he promised, so be it.
OCTOBER. Only the soldier is not traveling alone.
MARCH (looking through the branches). Yes, with him is an old man, a girl and two dogs.
STEPDAUGHTER. This old man is also kind, he begged for a fur coat for me.
JANUARY. Indeed, a venerable old man. You can let him in. But what about others? The girl seems to be evil.
STEPDAUGHTER. She's angry, yes, maybe her anger has already frozen out in the cold. Look how pitiful her voice has become!
JANUARY. Well, let's see! And so that they don’t find their way to us next time, we will pave a path for them there, where there has never been one before, and there won’t be one again! (Hits with the staff.)
The trees part and the royal sleigh enters the clearing. There are two dogs in the harness. They squabble among themselves and pull the sleigh in different directions. The soldier chases them. The dogs' entire behavior resembles the Old Woman and the Daughter. They are easy to recognize. They stop before reaching the fire, near the trees.
SOLDIER. Here is the fire. That old man did not deceive me. I wish good health to the entire honest company! May I warm myself up?
JANUARY. Sit down and warm up!
SOLDIER. Oh, master, great! You have a cheerful light. Just let me and my riders get some warmth. Our soldier's rule is this: first quarter your superiors, and then settle down yourself.
JANUARY. Well, if you have such a rule, then act according to the rule.
SOLDIER. Welcome, Your Majesty! (To the Professor.) Please, Your Grace!
QUEEN. Oh, I can't move!
SOLDIER. It’s okay, Your Majesty, you’ll warm up. Now I’ll put you on your feet. (Pulls her out of the sleigh.) And your teacher. (Shouts to the Professor.) Warm up, your honor! Halt!
The Queen and the Professor hesitantly approach the fire. The dogs, tails between their legs, follow them.
STEP-DAUGHTER (to the Queen and the Professor), Come closer - it will be warmer!
The Soldier, Queen and Professor turn to her and look at her in surprise. The dogs, noticing the Stepdaughter, sit on their hind legs. Then they begin to take turns barking, as if asking each other: “She? Is it really her? - "She!"
QUEEN. (To the Professor) Look, this is the same girl who found the snowdrops... But how elegant she is!
SOLDIER. That's right, Your Majesty, they are the ones. (To stepdaughter). Good evening, madam! We are meeting for the third time today! But now you won’t even recognize you. Pure queen!
QUEEN (teeth chattering from the cold). What, what are you saying? Wait with me!
JANUARY. Don't be the boss here, girl. The soldier at our fire is an invited guest, and you are with him.
QUEEN (stomping her foot). No, he's with me!
FEBRUARY. No, you're with him. He will go wherever he wants without you, and you won’t take a step without him.
QUEEN. Ah, that's how it is! Well, goodbye!
JANUARY. And go for yourself!
FEBRUARY. Good riddance!
QUEEN (to the Soldier). Harness the dogs, let's move on.
SOLDIER. Come on, Your Majesty, warm yourself up first, otherwise you’ll lose your teeth. We’ll thaw out a little, and then we’ll go quietly... Trick-trick... (Looks around and notices white horses harnessed to a sleigh.) Oh, and noble horses! I’ve never seen anything like this in the royal stables - it’s my fault, Your Majesty!.. Whose are these?
JANUARY (pointing to Stepdaughter). And the hostess is sitting there.
SOLDIER. I have the honor to congratulate you on your purchase!
STEPDAUGHTER. This is not a purchase, but a gift.
SOLDIER. It's even better. If it was cheaper, it will be more expensive.
Dogs rush at horses and bark at them.
Tsits, beasts! Get into place! It’s been a long time since they put on a dog’s skin, and they’re already throwing themselves at horses.
STEPDAUGHTER. They bark so angrily! It’s like they’re swearing—you just can’t make out the words. And somehow it seems to me that I’ve already heard this bark, but I don’t remember where...
JANUARY. Maybe I heard it!
SOLDIER. How can you not hear! After all, they seemed to live in the same house with you.
STEPDAUGHTER. We didn't have dogs...
SOLDIER. And take a better look at them, madam! Don't you admit it?
The dogs turn their heads away from the Stepdaughter.
STEP-DAUGHTER (clasping her hands). Oh! It can’t be!..
SOLDIER. Maybe - it can’t, but that’s how it is!
The red dog approaches the Stepdaughter and caresses her. The black one tries to lick her hand.
QUEEN. Be careful, they will bite!
Dogs lie down on the ground, wag their tails, and roll on the ground.
STEPDAUGHTER. No, they seem to have become more affectionate now. (For months). Can they really remain dogs until they die?
JANUARY. For what? Let them live with you for three years, guard your house and yard. And after three years, if they become more peaceful, bring them here on New Year’s Eve. We'll take off their dog coats.
PROFESSOR. Well, what if they still haven’t improved in three years?
JANUARY. Then in six years.
FEBRUARY. Or in nine!
SOLDIER. But a dog’s life is short-lived... Eh, ladies! Apparently you don’t wear any more scarves, don’t walk on two legs!
The dogs rush at the Soldier, barking.
See for yourself! (Drives the dogs away with a stick.)
QUEEN. Is it possible for me to bring my court dogs here on New Year’s Eve? They are quiet, affectionate, and walk in front of me on their hind legs. Maybe they will become people too?
JANUARY. No, if they walk on their hind legs, you can’t make people out of them. They were dogs and will remain dogs... And now, dear guests, it’s time for me to take care of my household. Without me, the frost is not crackling like January, and the wind is not blowing like that, and the snow is flying in the wrong direction. And it’s time for you to get ready for the journey - the month has already risen high! He will give you some light. Just drive faster - hurry up.
SOLDIER. We would be glad to hurry up, grandfather, but our furry horses bark more than they carry. You won’t be able to get there by next year on them either. If only they would give us a ride on those white horses!..
JANUARY. And you ask the hostess - maybe she will give you a lift.
SOLDIER. Would you like to ask, Your Majesty?
QUEEN. No need!
SOLDIER. Well, there’s nothing to do... Hey, you lop-eared horses, get into the yoke again! Whether you want it or not, we’ll have to ride you some more.
The dogs huddle close to the Stepdaughter.
PROFESSOR. Your Majesty!
QUEEN. What?
PROFESSOR. After all, the palace is still very far away, and the frost, excuse me, is harsh in January. I won’t be able to get there, and you’ll freeze without a fur coat!
QUEEN. How am I going to ask her? I've never asked anyone for anything before. What if she says no?
JANUARY. Why not? Maybe she will agree. Her sleigh is spacious—there’s enough room for everyone.
QUEEN (lowering her head). That's not the point!
JANUARY. And what?
QUEEN (scowling). But I took off her fur coat, I wanted to drown her, I threw her ring into the hole! And I don’t know how to ask, I wasn’t taught this. I only know how to give orders. After all, I am the queen!
JANUARY. That's it! And we didn’t even know.
FEBRUARY. You haven’t seen us in person, and we don’t know who you are or where you came from... Queen, you say? Look! Who is this, your teacher, or what?
QUEEN. Yes teacher.
FEBRUARY (To the Professor), Why didn’t you teach her such a simple thing? He knows how to order, but he doesn’t know how to ask! Where was this heard?
PROFESSOR. Her Majesty learned only what it pleased them to learn.
QUEEN. Well, for that matter, I learned a lot today! I learned more than you did in three years! (Goes to Stepdaughter.) Listen, honey, please give us a ride in your sleigh. I will royally reward you for this!
STEPDAUGHTER. Thank you, Your Majesty. I don't need your gifts.
QUEEN. You see - he doesn’t want to! I told you!
FEBRUARY. Apparently that's not what you're asking.
QUEEN. How should you ask? (To the Professor.) Isn’t that what I said?
PROFESSOR. No, Your Majesty, from a grammatical point of view, what you said was absolutely correct.
SOLDIER. Forgive me, Your Majesty. I am an unlearned person - a soldier, I know little about grammar. Let me teach you this time.
QUEEN. Well, speak up.
SOLDIER. You, Your Majesty, would not promise her any more rewards - enough has already been promised. And they would simply say: “Give me a lift, do me a favor!” You are not hiring a cab driver, Your Majesty!
QUEEN. I think I understand... Give us a lift, please! We are very cold!
STEPDAUGHTER. Why not give me a lift? Of course, I'll give you a ride. And now I will give a fur coat to you, and to your teacher, and to the soldier. I have a lot of them in my chest! Take it, take it, I won’t take it back.
QUEEN. Well, thank you. For this fur coat you will receive twelve from me...
PROFESSOR (scared). You again, Your Majesty!..
QUEEN. I won't, I won't!
The stepdaughter takes out her fur coats. Everyone except the Soldier bundles up.
(To the soldier.) Why aren’t you getting dressed?
SOLDIER. I dare not, Your Majesty, the overcoat is out of shape - not a government-issued one!
Queen. It's okay, we're all out of shape today... Get dressed!
SOLDIER (getting dressed). And that's true. What a form this is! We promised to give others rides today, but we ourselves are riding in someone else’s sleigh. They promised us a fur coat from their shoulder, but we warm ourselves in other people’s fur coats... Oh well. And thank you for that!.. Allow me, owners, to settle down in the irradiation room! Handling horses is not like handling dogs. The matter is familiar.
JANUARY. Sit down, servant. Take the riders. Just look: don’t lose your hat on the road. Our horses are fast, they outrun the clock, the minutes fly from under their hooves. Don't look back - you'll be home!
STEPDAUGHTER. Farewell, brothers-months! I will not forget your New Year's bonfire!
QUEEN. And I would be glad to forget, but it won’t be forgotten!
PROFESSOR. And if you forget, you will be reminded!
SOLDIER. Hello, owners! Happy Stay!
SPRING AND SUMMER MONTHS. Bon voyage!
WINTER MONTHS. Mirror the road!
CROW. Mirror the road!
The sleigh is carried away. The dogs run after them, barking.
STEP-DAUGHTER (turning around). Goodbye, month of April!
APRIL. Goodbye, honey! Wait for me to visit!
The bells are still ringing for a long time. Then they subside. It's brighter in the forest!
Morning is approaching.
JANUARY (looking around). What, grandfather forest? Did we frighten you today, stir up your snow, wake up your animals?.. Well, that’s enough, that’s enough, go to sleep, we won’t disturb you anymore!..
All months
Burn down, bonfire, to the ground,
There will be ashes and ash.
Scatter, blue smoke,
Through the gray bushes,
Envelop the forest to the heights,
Rise to the skies!
The young month is melting.
The stars go out in succession.
From the open gates
The red sun is coming.
The sun leads by the hand
New day and New Year!
All months
(turning to the sun)
Burn, burn clearly
So that it doesn't go out!
No horses, no wheels
Rides up to heaven
The sun is golden
Cast gold.
Doesn't knock, doesn't rattle,
He doesn't speak with his hoof!
All months
Burn, burn clearly
So that it doesn't go out!
Dramatic tale
Characters
Old stepmother.
Stepdaughter.
Queen, a girl of about fourteen.
Chamberlain, a tall, skinny old lady.
The Queen's teacher, professor of arithmetic and penmanship.
Chief of the Royal Guard.
Royal Guard Officer.
Crown Prosecutor.
Ambassador of the Western Power.
Ambassador of the Eastern Power.
Chief gardener.
Gardeners.
Old Soldier.
Young Soldier.
Old Raven.
First Squirrel.
Second Squirrel.
Twelve months.
First Herald.
Second Herald.
Courtiers.
ACT ONE
PICTURE ONE
Winter forest. A secluded clearing. The snow, undisturbed by anyone, lies in wavy snowdrifts and covers the trees with fluffy caps. Very quiet. For several moments the stage is empty, even as if dead. Then a ray of sunlight runs across the snow and illuminates the whitish-gray wolf's head peeking out from the thicket, the crow on the pine tree, the squirrel perched in the fork of the branches near the hollow. You can hear rustling, flapping of wings, crunching of dry wood. The forest comes to life.
Wolf. Woohoo! You will look as if there is no one in the forest, as if everything is empty all around. You can't fool me! I can smell a hare here, a squirrel in a hollow, a crow on a branch, and partridges in a snowdrift. Woohoo! I would have eaten them all!
Crow. Carr, carr! If you lie, you won’t eat them all.
Wolf. Don't croak. My stomach is churning from hunger, my teeth are clicking on their own.
Crow. Carr, carr! Go on your way, brother, and don’t hurt anyone. Yes, be careful not to touch you. I am a keen-eyed raven, I can see thirty miles from a tree.
Wolf. Well, what do you see?
Crow. Carr, carr! A soldier is walking along the road. Wolf's death is behind him, wolf's death is on his side. Carr, carr! Where are you going, gray one?
Wolf. It's boring to listen to you, old man, I'll run to where you are not! (Runs away.)
Crow. Carr, carr! The gray one went away, chickened out. Deeper into the forest - away from death. But the soldier is not following the wolf, but following the Christmas tree. The sled pulls along. Today's holiday is New Year. No wonder the New Year’s frost hit, and it was bitter. Eh, I wish I could spread my wings, fly, get warm - but I’m old, old... Karr, karr! (Hides among the branches.)
The 3rd egg jumps out into the clearing. Another one appears on the branches next to the previous Squirrel.
Hare (slapping paw on paw). Cold, cold, cold. The frost is breathtaking; your paws freeze as you run towards the snow. Squirrels, squirrels, let's play burners. Call out to the sun, invite spring!
First Squirrel. Come on, hare. Who will burn first?
Oblique, oblique,
Don't go barefoot
And walk around with shoes on,
Wrap up your paws.
If you're wearing shoes,
The wolves won't find the hare
The bear won't find you.
Come out - you'll burn!
The hare gets ahead. Behind him are two Squirrels.
Hare.
Burn, burn clearly
So that it doesn't go out.
Look at the sky - the birds are flying,
The bells are ringing!
First Squirrel. Catch it, hare!
Second Squirrel. You won't catch up!
The squirrels, having run around the Hare to the right and left, rush through the snow. The hare is behind them. At this time, the Stepdaughter comes into the clearing. She is wearing a large torn scarf, an old jacket, worn-out shoes, and rough mittens. She pulls a sled behind her, and has an ax in her belt. The girl stops between the trees and looks intently at the Hare and Squirrels. They are so busy playing that they don’t notice it. Squirrels are running up a tree.
Hare. Where are you going, where are you going? You can’t do that, it’s not fair! I'm not playing with you anymore.
First Squirrel. And you, hare, jump, jump!
Second Squirrel. Jump up, jump up!
First Squirrel. Wave your tail and hit the branch!
Hare (trying to jump, pitifully). Yes, I have a short tail...
The squirrels laugh. The girl too. The Hare and Squirrels quickly look back at her and hide.
Stepdaughter (wiping tears with a mitten). Oh, I can't! How funny! It became hot in the cold. My tail, he says, is short. That's what he says. If I hadn't heard it with my own ears, I wouldn't have believed it! (Laughs.)
A Soldier enters the clearing. He has a large ax in his belt. He also pulls a sled. The soldier is a mustachioed, experienced, middle-aged soldier.
Soldier. I wish you good health, beauty! What are you happy about - you found a treasure or heard good news?
The stepdaughter waves her hand and laughs even louder.
Yes, tell me why you laugh. Maybe I'll laugh with you too.
Stepdaughter. You won't believe it!
Soldier. From what? We soldiers have heard enough of everything and seen enough of everything in our time. If we believe, we believe, but we do not give in to deception.
Stepdaughter. Here a hare and squirrels were playing with burners, in this very place!
Soldier. Well?
Stepdaughter. Pure truth! This is how our children play on the street. “Burn, burn clearly, so that it doesn’t go out...” He is behind them, they are away from him, across the snow and onto a tree. And they also tease: “Jump, jump, jump, jump!”
Soldier. Is that what we say?
Stepdaughter. In our opinion.
Soldier. Please tell me!
Stepdaughter. So you don’t believe me!
Soldier. How can you not believe it! What day is it today? The old year is over, the new year is the beginning. And I also heard from my grandfather that his grandfather told him that on this day everything in the world happens - you just know how to lie in wait and spy. Is it any wonder that squirrels and hares play with burners! This doesn’t happen on New Year’s Eve.
Stepdaughter. So what?
Soldier. Is it true or not, but my grandfather said that on the very eve of the New Year his grandfather had the opportunity to meet all twelve months.
Stepdaughter. Yah?
Soldier. Pure truth. The old man saw all year round at once: winter, summer, spring, and autumn. I remembered it for the rest of my life, told it to my son and told my grandchildren to tell it. That's how it came to me.
Stepdaughter. How is it possible for winter and summer and spring and autumn to come together! There is no way they can be together.
Soldier. Well, what I know, that’s what I say, but what I don’t know, I won’t say. Why did you come here in such cold weather? I am a forced person, my superiors sent me here, but who are you?
Stepdaughter. And I didn’t come of my own free will.
Soldier. Are you in service, or what?
Stepdaughter. No, I live at home.
Soldier. How did your mother let you go?
Stepdaughter. The mother would not have let him go, but the stepmother sent him to gather brushwood and chop firewood.
Soldier. Look how! So you are an orphan? This is the ammunition you have for your second term. That's right, it blows right through you. Well, let me help you, and then I’ll get down to my business.
Year of publication of the book: 1943
The play “Twelve Months” by Marshak was first published in 1943. The work was written specifically for its production in one of the Moscow theaters. Animated and feature films were made based on the story. The last adaptation of the fairy tale play “The Twelve Months” was the Japanese anime of the same name, released in 1980.
Plays "Twelve Months" summary
In the dense winter forest, both animals and birds talk to each other. They are noticed by a little girl, whom her stepmother sent into the forest to collect firewood. There the Stepdaughter meets the Soldier and starts a conversation with him about the weather and forest animals. She tells the serviceman about how she saw small animals playing with each other. He says that on New Year’s Eve it is possible to see not such miracles. In the play “Twelve Months” we can read that, noticing how cold the Stepdaughter is, the Soldier decides to help her collect the required amount of firewood. He says that he went into the forest to find the most lush and beautiful tree for the Queen. As soon as they say goodbye, twelve months appear in the clearing. They make a fire and begin to have intimate conversations.
The Little Queen, like the Stepdaughter, was an orphan. All day long, a fourteen-year-old girl had to learn from the Professor how to write and count correctly. However, she did not succeed, because the Queen did not like to be criticized. When the Professor begins to tell the girl about spring flowers, she immediately wants snowdrops to be delivered to her as quickly as possible. The teacher says that this is impossible, but the girl issues a decree, which promises a whole basket of gold to the one who brings her flowers as quickly as possible. This order quickly spreads to all corners. The Stepmother hears him too. The old woman and her daughter begin to dream about how they will receive a great reward. As soon as the Stepdaughter returns home, they immediately kick her back out onto the street to go look for snowdrops.
If we read the full version of the play “12 Months,” we will see how, while wandering through the forest, the girl became terribly cold. She notices a fire in the distance and decides to go over and warm up. There she sees twelve months. They ask the Stepdaughter why she is wandering around so late in the dense forest, and the girl tells them her story. Then April decides to help a new friend. He asks his brothers to allow him to make spring come for a few minutes. Small white flowers immediately appear all around. Having taken the required amount, the Stepdaughter was about to go home. Just like April, as in, presented her with a beautiful ring. He said that if in times of trouble, if you throw up an ornament and say magic words, he and his brothers will immediately come to the rescue. Saying goodbye, they ask the girl not to tell anyone that she saw them.
That same night, when the Stepdaughter returned home, the old woman’s daughter stole the ring she had given her. She, with tears in her eyes, asked to return the gift to her, but in the morning the Stepmother quickly took the snowdrops and, together with her Daughter, went to the queen. In the play "Twelve Months" summary says that meanwhile there is a commotion in the palace. The Queen claims that the New Year will not begin until she sees a bouquet of snowdrops. All the courtiers try to please her and present her with a wide variety of flowers. However, this does not make the girl happy. Then the Stepmother comes in and presents the Queen with what she so wanted. She asks them to say what kind of magical place this is where spring flowers grow.
The stepmother begins to lie, talking about some magical place with glades, full of mushrooms, flowers and the most delicious berries. The Queen says she wants to go there with them. Then the play “12 Months” describes how the Stepmother and her Daughter were afraid and told the truth. The Queen still wants to go to that magical place. She tells her Stepmother, her Daughter and Stepdaughter to accompany her during the trip. On the way to the forest, the Stepdaughter tells the Queen that her stepsister stole the ring she was given as a gift. She immediately orders the jewelry to be returned to its owner. After some time, the Queen asks her Stepdaughter where exactly she saw the snowdrops. However, she, remembering her twelve-month promise, refuses to tell the truth. Then the little Queen angrily throws Golden ring into a cold hole.
In Marshak’s work “Twelve Months” we can read that while the ring was flying into the water, the Stepdaughter managed to say the magic words. Immediately the girl disappeared, and spring came around everyone else. Then something incredible happened. Within a few minutes, summer came, and the Queen saw a large bear near her. She was terribly scared, and the Professor and the Soldier rushed to protect the girl. Soon the weather changed to autumn: a terrible downpour began and a strong cold wind rose. And a few minutes later winter came again. The queen wanted to go back to the palace, but noticed that all the courtiers had galloped away on horses, leaving her only the sleigh.
Suddenly a gray-haired Old Man in a long light fur coat appears. He says that he will fulfill one wish of everyone present. The Queen declares that she wants to go home, the Professor asks to make sure that the seasons again go on as usual and at their own speed. The frozen Soldier desperately wants to warm up near the fire, while the Stepmother and her Daughter say that they want to receive at least some kind of warm fur coat as a gift, even if it’s made from dog fur. The old man immediately throws two fur coats at them and they begin to quarrel among themselves. The stepmother is angry that she didn’t ask for sable fur coats as a gift. So they shouted at each other until they turned into dogs. The heroes of the play “Twelve Months” decide to harness them to a sleigh.
Meanwhile, the Stepdaughter and the twelve months are warming themselves near a large fire. The brothers gave the girl a large chest of clothes and a huge sleigh with two white horses. Here the Queen's sleigh, drawn by two dogs, passes by. Everyone decides to go out and warm themselves near the fire. When the Queen notices the Stepdaughter's sleigh, she demands that the girl let her in with her retinue. She refuses, and the Soldier tells the little Queen that she needs to ask politely. As soon as she says the word “please,” the Stepdaughter happily gives her a fur coat and helps her sit in the sleigh. The team disappears over the horizon, and for twelve months they continue to sit and talk near the fire.
The play “Twelve Months” on the Top Books website
“Twelve Months” has always been a very popular play to read. It’s not for nothing that a feature film was made based on the play. This allowed the work to get into ours. And given the stable high interest for the play we will see it more than once on the pages of our website.
You can read the play “Twelve Months” in its entirety on the Top Books website.
About the fairy tale
The tale “Twelve Months” about human faith in miracles
The wonderful fairy tale “Twelve Months” is familiar to every adult from early childhood. The great Russian poet and author of children's books wrote this fascinating story based on a Slovak folk tale.
The Soviet writer worked during the difficult war years and in 1942 adapted the Bohemian legend of the twelve months into a theatrical production for the Moscow Art Theater studio. In 1947-48, the dramatic fairy tale-play was presented to young spectators on the stage of two famous theaters. The story amazed and impressed Soviet children. More than half a century has passed since then, but mischievous children never cease to be amazed by the magic of the mysterious and instructive legend.
This colorful page features “The Twelve Months.” With extraordinary illustrations that are matched to a captivating narrative, reading turns into a real journey. The child, together with his parents and grandparents, will be able to travel to huge world children's literature and immerse yourself in the rich treasury of Russian folk crafts.
Children often cannot understand why there are good and evil characters in fairy tales? To understand the deep meaning of a fairy tale story, you need to get to know the interesting and characteristic characters:
Evil stepmother - a frequent character in Russian fairy tales. Women in the villages worked a lot, and it happened that small children were left orphans due to the loss of their mother. Fathers remarried, and stepmothers devoted more time, love and care to their own children, while stepmothers did the hardest work and were deprived of a piece of bread.
Stepmother's own daughter - a lazy and harmful girl. The slacker, spoiled by her mother, lay on the stove all day and chewed rolls. When the stepsister managed to get snowdrops in January, out of envy she ran into the frosty forest and decided to beg mushrooms and berries from the months.
Stepdaughter - the main character of the fairy tale. According to the laws of the genre, she works all the time and endures bullying from her stepmother. When the girl was sent to fetch snowdrops in the cold cold, she resignedly obeyed and hoped only for a miracle. The stepdaughter’s pure soul, her kindness, faith and hard work helped me meet twelve months and pass this difficult test.
Three boys - March , April And May . Children around the fire symbolized spring months. At this time, the equinox arrives and the circle of life begins all over again.
Three young people - June , July , August . These are the summer months, when nature is warmed up by the generous sun, and in the fields and gardens the greenery is filled with fresh juice.
Three elderly - September , October And november . Autumn months, generous with gifts and offerings, at this time Mother Earth gives people the fruits that she produced during the warm season.
Three old men - December , January , February . These winter elders, covering the fields and meadows with a warm blanket of snow. During these cold months, nature rests and gains new strength for the next spring revival.
The stepdaughter, on a hike for snowdrops, saw a real cycle in nature. The fire in the center of the circle symbolizes the sun, and the twelve months around it symbolize the eternal and never-ending movement of universal natural cycles.
Evil in a fairy tale will definitely be punished, as in life! And a kind girl who believes in miracles will receive a real magical reward from Mother Nature.
Read the children's story "Twelve Months" with beautiful colorful pictures And large print free online and without registration on our website. At the end of the tale you will see links to the same name, and.
Do you know how many months there are in a year?
Twelve.
What are their names?
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
As soon as one month ends, another begins immediately. And it has never happened before that February came before January left, and May overtook April.
But people say that in the mountainous country of Bohemia there was a girl who saw all twelve months at once.
How did this happen? That's how.
In one small village there lived an evil and stingy woman with her daughter and stepdaughter. She loved her daughter, but her stepdaughter could not please her in any way. 
No matter what the stepdaughter does, everything is wrong, no matter how she turns, everything is in the wrong direction.
My daughter spent whole days lying on the feather bed and eating gingerbread. 
And the stepdaughter had no time to sit down from morning to night: then fetch water. 
Either bring brushwood from the forest, then wash out the laundry on the river, or weed the garden beds.
She also knew winter cold, and summer heat, and spring wind, and autumn rain. 
That’s why, perhaps, she once had the chance to see all twelve months at once.
It was winter. It was January. 
There was so much snow that they had to shovel it away from the doors, and in the forest on the mountain the trees stood waist-deep in snowdrifts and could not even sway when the wind blew on them.
People sat in their houses and lit their stoves.
At such and such a time, in the evening, the evil stepmother opened the door, looked at how the blizzard was sweeping, and then returned to the warm stove and said to her stepdaughter:
And what snowdrops there are in the middle of winter! 
They will not be born before March, no matter how much you look for them. You'll just end up lost in the forest and get stuck in the snowdrifts. And her sister tells her:
“Even if you disappear, no one will cry for you!” 
- Go and don’t come back without flowers. Here's your basket.
The girl began to cry, wrapped herself in a torn scarf and walked out the door.
The wind dusts her eyes with snow and tears her scarf off. She walks, barely pulling her legs out of the snowdrifts.
It's getting darker all around. 
The sky is black, not a single star looks at the ground, and the ground is a little lighter. It's from the snow.
Here is the forest. It’s completely dark here—you can’t see your hands. 
The girl sat down on a fallen tree and sat. All the same, he thinks about where to freeze.
And suddenly a light flashed far between the trees - as if a star was entangled among the branches.
The girl got up and went towards this light. He drowns in snowdrifts and climbs over a windbreak. “If only,” he thinks, “the light doesn’t go out!” 
But it doesn’t go out, it burns brighter and brighter. There was already a smell of warm smoke, and you could hear brushwood crackling in the fire. The girl quickened her pace and entered the clearing. Yes, she froze.
It’s light in the clearing, as if from the sun. In the middle of the clearing a large fire is burning, almost reaching to the sky. And people are sitting around the fire - some closer to the fire, some further away. They sit and talk quietly.
The girl looks at them and thinks: who are they? They don’t seem to look like hunters, even less like woodcutters: they look so elegant - some in silver, some in gold, some in green velvet.
And suddenly one old man turned around - the tallest, bearded, with eyebrows - and looked in the direction where the girl stood.
She was scared and wanted to run away, but it was too late. The old man asks her loudly:
- Where did you come from, what do you want here?
The girl showed him her empty basket and said:
— I need to collect snowdrops in this basket. The old man laughed:
The girl stands there, listening, but doesn’t understand the words—as if it weren’t people talking, but the trees making noise.
They talked and talked and fell silent.
And the tall old man turned around again and asked:
- What will you do if you don’t find snowdrops? After all, they won’t even appear before March.
The old man stroked his long beard and said:
“I would give in, but Mart wouldn’t be there before February.”
The old man fell silent, and the forest became quiet. The trees stopped crackling from the frost, and the snow began to fall thickly, in large, soft flakes.
“Well, now it’s your turn, brother,” said January and gave the staff to his younger brother, shaggy February. He tapped his staff, shook his beard and boomed:
Winds, storms, hurricanes,
Blow as hard as you can!
Whirlwinds, blizzards and blizzards,
Get ready for the night!
Trumpet loudly in the clouds,
Hover above the ground.
Let the drifting snow run in the fields
White snake!
As soon as he said this, a stormy, wet wind rustled in the branches. Snow flakes began to swirl and white whirlwinds rushed across the ground. And February gave his ice staff to his younger brother and said:
Mart grinned and sang loudly, in all his boyish voice:
Run away, streams,
Spread, puddles,
Get out, ants,
A bear sneaks through
Through the dead wood.
The birds began to sing songs,
The girl even clasped her hands. 
Where did the high snowdrifts go? 
Where are the ice icicles that hung on every branch?
Under her feet is soft spring land. 
The buds on the branches have puffed up, and the first green leaves are already peeking out from under the dark skin.
The girl looks - she can’t get enough of it.
The girl woke up and ran into the thicket to look for snowdrops. 
On the bumps and under the bumps - everywhere you look. 
She took a full basket, a full apron - 
And quickly again to the clearing, where the fire was burning, where the twelve brothers were sitting.
And there is no longer a fire, no brothers: It’s light in the clearing, but not as before. 
The light did not come from the fire, but from the full moon that rose over the forest.
“Oh,” thinks the stepmother’s daughter, “why did I go into the forest!” I would be lying at home in a warm bed right now, but now go and freeze! You’ll still be lost here!”
And as soon as she thought this, she saw a light in the distance - as if a star had become entangled in the branches.
She went to the light. She walked and walked and came out into a clearing. In the middle of the clearing, a large fire is burning, and twelve brothers, twelve months old, are sitting around the fire. They sit and talk quietly.
The stepmother's daughter approached the fire itself, did not bow, did not say a friendly word, but chose a place where it was hotter and began to warm herself.
The month brothers fell silent. It became quiet in the forest. And suddenly the month of January hit the ground with his staff.
- Who are you? - asks. -Where did it come from?
“From home,” the stepmother’s daughter answers. “Today you gave my sister a whole basket of snowdrops.” So I came in her footsteps.
“We know your sister,” says January-month, “but we haven’t even seen you.” Why did you come to us?
- For gifts. Let the month of June pour strawberries into my basket, and bigger ones. And July is the month of fresh cucumbers and white mushrooms, and the month of August is of apples and sweet pears. And September is the month of ripe nuts. A October:
“Wait,” says January-month. - There will be no summer before spring, and no spring before winter. The month of June is still a long way off. I am now the owner of the forest, I will reign here for thirty-one days.
And the stepmother waited and waited for her daughter, looked out the window, ran out the door - she was gone, and that’s all. She wrapped herself up warmly and went into the forest. How can you really find anyone in the thicket in such a snowstorm and darkness!
She walked, walked, searched and searched, until she herself froze.
So they both remained in the forest to wait for summer.
Earlier than everyone else, flowers bloomed in this garden, berries ripened, apples and pears were filled. In the heat it was cool there, in the snowstorm it was quiet.
“They’ve been staying with this hostess for twelve months at once!” - people said.
