The morning began with snow falling gently from the pale sky. Thick clouds covered the sun, and everything outside looked soft and white. The cold air crept through the cracks in the windows, so Thomas put on his warm coat, pulled his hat over his ears, and wrapped a thick scarf around his neck.
Outside, the garden was covered in a fresh layer of snow. The grass, the fence, and even the gate were dusted with fine frost that sparkled in the weak light. Thomas stepped into his sturdy boots and pulled on his woollen gloves before heading out.
He and his sister Sophie decided to build a snowman. They rolled three large snow balls and stacked them carefully. Sophie found two buttons for the eyes, a carrot for the nose, and an old scarf to keep their snowman warm. Thomas even added his spare hat to finish the look.
After a while, the cold began to bite their fingers, even through their gloves, so they decided to go to the park. The pond there was frozen with a thin sheet of ice, and a few brave children were sliding across it. In the distance, some people were practising ski jumps on the small hill. The air was fresh, but the frost on the trees made them look magical.
By the afternoon, the sky had grown dark and more clouds gathered. The snow started falling faster, making the ground deeper and the boots sink with every step. Sophie tried to catch snowflakes on her tongue while Thomas threw a few snow balls at her, laughing as she tried to dodge them.
They stayed outside until their cheeks were pink and their noses red. Finally, they went back home, shaking off the snow from their coat sleeves and brushing it from their hat. Inside, the house felt warm and cosy. A small fire was crackling in the fireplace, sending a golden glow across the room.
Thomas hung his scarf by the door to dry, placed his boots neatly on the mat, and held his hands close to the fireplace. The heat felt good after so many hours in the cold. Sophie curled up in a chair with a blanket, watching the white flakes still falling outside.
As the evening went on, the sky outside became almost black. The clouds were heavy with more snow, and the trees glistened with fresh frost. It was the kind of night for staying indoors, drinking hot chocolate, and listening to the soft sounds of snow against the windows.
Winter, Thomas thought, was beautiful—especially when you could enjoy both the crisp cold outside and the warm fireplace inside.
