Paul and Storm

Drifty the Snowman
by N.K.L. Storm

Half-way up the hill in an average town in an average house on an ordinary December’s day sat three kids who never did anything except play video games. And because it was Winter Break, all day long they played on their screens, from sunrise until they passed out from exhaustion.

“You kids should go play outside!” said Mother. “The snow’s been falling for three straight days, and it’s perfect for sledding, and making forts, and snowball fights…”

“But we have SledWars on the PlayBox…” said Danny, the oldest.

“…and I just got Forts vs. Zombies for my iThing Touch…” said wee Caroline.

“*pffffffft!*” said baby Roger, who wasn’t big on words.

“Have it your way,” said Mother as she set down another bowl of chips.

On into the afternoon the kids played, until suddenly the power went out! Only Caroline’s iThing Touch still worked, so they all huddled around her. But it, too, ran out of juice half an hour later.

“Oh, no! What are we going to do?” wailed the children as the small device went black.

“Outside you go!” shouted Mother, who had thoughtfully brought their coats, hats, gloves, and scarves for them.

Once on the front yard, none of the children had any idea what they were supposed to do. But Danny remembered something he’d done a long, long time ago, when their dad was still around.

“We can make a snowman!” he said. “Here’s what we do…”

In no time at all they made a big, lumpy snowman. They rummaged around the garage and gave him golf club arms, tennis ball eyes, and a gas can nozzle nose.

“He needs something to keep him warm!” said Caroline, handing Roger a hat she found on the sidewalk a long time ago that had been under a pile of old newspapers.

“Whatever,” said Roger as he placed the hat atop their snowman. Suddenly the wind began to blow, the air began to glow, and the man they’d made of snow came to life!