When the Scarecrow Turned into a Snowman

Once upon a time, there was a scarecrow named Robert. He wore a plaid shirt, tattered overalls, orange scarf, and a straw hat.

Robert worked as a guard against birds, moving between fields of wheat, corn, sunflower, pea, and pumpkins as the farmer needed.

Robert loved his job. He was a kind scarecrow and allowed the birds to eat a little from the fields. He would only glare at them when they caused real damage.

He enjoyed the sunlight, the floating clouds, the gentle breeze, and the buzzing of bees in the flowers. He loved nature. He let the birds perch on his shoulder or hat. He was wise enough to know there is enough food for every creature.

But when the harvest season ended, the farmer would cut the crops and take Robert to the porch. There, he would sit among hay bales, lantern, corn stalks, pumpkins, chrysanthemum pots. He would enjoy watching the neighborhood kids, who visited the porch for treats. He would see the farmer and his wife offer the kids pumpkin pie and sweet popcorn. He liked the kids happy.

When the festival was over, the farmer would say, “Well, Robert, it’s time for you to rest.” Then, Robert would be packed away in the attic.

Robert didn’t like being cooped up. He was used to being outside and felt claustrophobic in the stuffy, dark attic. On quiet nights, he looked out of the attic window, as the autumn’s vibrant colors fade into the grey-blue landscapes of winter. The trees stood bare.

Snowflakes would begin to fall, and Robert longed to be outside.

He saw kids playing in the snow, jumping and making snow angels, throwing snowballs, and laughing. Robert wished he could join them, just as he had once played with the birds in the fields.

But how could he? He is made of straw, and snow would ruin him.

Then, he remembered something that brought a smile to his face and twinkles in his eyes. He saw hope.

Once, he had allowed a hungry, weary sparrow to eat sunflower seeds from the fields and rest on his shoulder.

As a token of gratitude, the bird had left a brown feather on Robert’s straw hat, saying, “This is a boon for your kindness. If you ever have a wish, blow this feather, and it will come true.”

Feeling lonely and longing to be outdoors, Robert carefully took the feather from his hat and blew on it.

The next morning, under the pine tree, the children found a snowman. There was something familiar about it. The orange scarf and friendly face. You guessed it right!

That snowman was Robert, the scarecrow.

The kids played around the snowman, decorating it with pine needles, pinecones, and red berries from nearby shrubs. Someone put a black hat and red-green scarf on it. Someone lovingly put a carrot in Robert's face. He loved the grooming, attention, and the touch of mittens.

The snowman silently rejoiced as he watched the children run, laugh, and giggle. He felt so much better being among the children. yes, blizzard hit it, but he was a snowman!

The farmer wouldn’t need Robert until spring anyway.

Robert’s kindness had helped him fulfill his dream. Kindness always finds a way to make wishes come true.

Note: I love learning foreign languages. Spanish and Japanese are two of my favorite languages. So, let's learn what scarecrow and snowman are called in these languages.

Scarecrow

Spanish: espantapájaros

Japanese: kakashi

Snowman

Spanish: muñeco de nieve

Japanese: yuki daruma