Mila and Button the Snowman

On the last day of the year
the snow gets a smile.
Mama, Papa and Mila are done.
“Your name is Button. Stay with us!”

“Good night, Button!”
Button says nothing. Snowmen don’t talk.
Do they at least sleep?
Mila waves once more.
Did Button just … wink?

Knock, knock!
Mila looks at the window.
“Button? You can move?”
“Tonight the new year comes.
I want to see it! Are you coming?”
“Yes! But afterwards we come back.”

Can Button walk? Not quite.
He rolls. He sways. He nearly tips over.
“Careful!”
Mila holds the twig tight.
“We’ll take the sledge,” says Button. “You sit. I pull.”

Snowsuit on, boots on. Off we go!
Button pulls, the snow sprays.
Mila laughs: “Faster!”
And so a snowman whizzes up the hill.

On a fence sits a cat.
“Good evening!” says Button.
The cat arches its back.
Hsss!
And gone it is.
“It’s never seen a snowman walk,” says Mila.

“Look,” says Button.
“The stars are down below!”
Mila stares. So many lights.
“That’s the town.”
Button nods. “A sky for the feet.”

“How does a new year come?” asks Button.
“Don’t know. Maybe very quietly.”
They wait. They count lights.
One, two, lots.
Mila yawns into the mitten.
And then …

Bang! Crash!
Button trembles. His head wobbles.
“Don’t fall off!” Mila holds him tight.
“The new year is THAT loud?” cries Button.

Mila has an idea.
“Mittens on your ears!”
Button tries it. Better already.
Now he can enjoy the glitter.
Happy New Year, Button!

Homewards. Very slowly now.
Button pulls. The mittens stay on his ears.
Mila lies on the sledge and blinks.
The stars wobble. The eyes close.
“A promise is a promise,” rumbles Button.
“Back.”

In the morning Button stands still in the garden.
“Mittens on his ears?” wonders Mama.
Papa scratches his head.
Mila grins. Button gives nothing away.