THE TWELVE MONTHS
🌨️ Once Upon a Time…
There was once a kind and beautiful girl named Marouckla. She lived with her cruel stepmother and her lazy stepsister, Holena. Marouckla did all the housework, fetched water, chopped wood, and cleaned the house while her stepmother and Holena relaxed, ordered her around, and treated her badly.
But no matter how unfairly she was treated, Marouckla stayed gentle, patient, and cheerful.
🌸 The Wish for Violets
One cold winter morning, Holena suddenly wanted something strange.
“I want violets! Pretty purple ones to put on my dress,” she said.
“But it’s the middle of January!” said Marouckla. “Violets only bloom in spring.”
But her stepmother shouted,
“Go to the forest and don’t come back without them!”
So, Marouckla, wrapped in a thin coat, walked through the snowy forest, cold and frightened.
🔥 A Circle of Warmth
After a long time, she saw a glow of fire on a mountaintop. Around the fire sat twelve tall men, each wearing a cloak of a different colour. These were not ordinary men—they were the Twelve Months, magical spirits who rule the seasons.
Great January, the oldest of them all, asked kindly,
“What are you doing out here, child?”
Marouckla bowed and said,
“My stepsister wants violets. I was told to bring them.”
Hearing her story and seeing her kind heart, Great January nodded.
“Brother March, lend us your time.”
March rose and waved his magic wand. The snow melted, grass appeared, and violets bloomed all around! Marouckla picked a bunch, thanked the Months warmly, and returned home.
🍓 Strawberries in the Snow
When Holena saw the violets, she was amazed—but not grateful. A few days later, she yelled:
“Now I want strawberries! Go and get them!”
Once again, Marouckla walked into the snowy forest and found the Twelve Months.
This time, Great January handed the magic wand to June. Instantly, the ground turned green, flowers bloomed, and sweet red strawberries grew everywhere. Marouckla picked them joyfully and hurried home.
🍎 Apples in the Blizzard
The next day, greedy Holena demanded:
“Now I want red apples!”
Though it was snowing heavily, the stepmother forced Marouckla out again.
Marouckla found the Twelve Months once more. Great January passed the magic wand to September, and soon a big apple tree appeared with shiny red apples.
Marouckla shook the tree. Two apples fell. She picked them, thanked the Months, and returned.
❄️ A Greedy Mistake
When Holena saw the apples, she was furious that there were only two. She and her mother rushed into the forest to find the apples themselves.
They found the fire and the Twelve Months, but instead of being polite, they were rude and demanding.
“Give us apples! And strawberries too!” they shouted.
The Months were angry. Great January raised his magic wand, and a wild snowstorm began. The wind howled and the snow fell thick. Holena and her mother were lost in the storm and never seen again.
🏡 A Happy Ending
Marouckla was now free from cruelty. She lived in peace and happiness, with the house and everything in it now hers.
In time, she met a kind young man who loved her for her gentle nature, and they lived happily ever after.
🌟 Moral of the Story
Kindness is always rewarded.
Greed and rudeness lead to trouble.
Respect nature’s time and seasons.
Be patient, humble, and thankful—just like Marouckla!
