
A cozy fireside story unfolds as Uncle John spins a winter legend for his eager grandchildren. He takes them far beyond familiar hills to a remote, snow‑capped mountain where tiny, frosty folk dwell among crystal‑bright brooks and glittering blossoms that appear only in the deep of night. These “little people of the snow” are playful and mischievous, tossing glittering flakes at travelers and weaving delicate ice wreaths, yet they live in delicate balance with the harsh cold that sustains them.
The narrative follows Eva, a bright twelve‑year‑old girl from a humble cottage at the foot of the mountain, who ventures out into the biting chill despite her mother’s warnings. As she navigates the frozen landscape, she encounters the shimmering inhabitants and learns how the coming of spring threatens their icy world. Their struggle against the warming sun hints at both wonder and danger, setting the stage for a tale that blends folklore, nature’s cycles, and a child’s daring curiosity.
Language
en
Duration
~16 minutes (15K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Edwards, Emmy and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from scans of public domain material produced by Microsoft for their Live Search Books site.)
Release date
2007-08-26
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1794–1878
A major voice in early American poetry, this writer is best remembered for meditative nature poems like "Thanatopsis" and for a long public career that linked literature, journalism, and civic life.
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