In the first light of late morning, the snowfall from the night appeared smooth and untouched. The nocturnal storm followed by the unexpected snowfall and subsequent calm had forced all animals and little creatures into their burrows, and no one seemed inclined to stick their nose out of hiding just yet. In some places, it seemed as though the snow blanket hid something beneath it. Deep winter had not yet arrived, and the slow-climbing autumn sun directed increasingly feeble warming rays towards the snow, grasping at every darker spot and melting more and more of the gleaming white cover. From somewhere in the distance, the echoing laughter of children could be heard, like a fresh breath of air to compensate for yesterday's storm. These were the youngsters of the third group of Varstu Kindergarten, industrious boys and girls raised in the countryside, with eyes wide with curiosity and genuine joy. The slushy snow tempted everyone outdoors, especially since it was the first slushy s...