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Selma stands on the pebbly lakeshore at noon, sunlight glittering as a smooth stone leaves her hand toward the blue water. Bright ripples and dazzling reflections frame her hopeful smile.
Selma stood by the big blue lake. She threw a smooth stone far out. Splash! "I wish for a happy baby," she smiled. The water sparkled brightly in the sun.
Inside a softly lit cottage bedroom, Selma cradles baby Ulf against her chest, smiling tenderly. Morning light filters through a small window, illuminating his bright eyes and joyful laugh.
A baby boy named Ulf arrived soon after. He had bright eyes and a happy laugh. Selma hugged him tight. "You are my special magic boy," she whispered softly.
On Marta’s sunny backyard grass, Ulf and Alva build a tiny stick fort while Prikken the dog sits nearby, tail wagging. Afternoon light casts soft shadows around the cheerful trio.
Next door lived Marta and her girl, Alva. Alva and Ulf played every day. Prikken the dog wagged his tail too. They were the very best of friends.
At the calm lake’s edge under bright afternoon sky, Ulf and Alva stand hand-in-hand on the glassy water surface, wide-eyed with amazement. Gentle waves lap around their shoes without sinking.
One day, Ulf and Alva ran to the water. They held hands and jumped. "Look!" cried Alva. They did not sink. They stood right on top of the water!
Twilight paints the lake rose and gold as Ulf and Alva hop across the surface, each footstep releasing glowing yellow rings. The luminous patterns trail behind them like shining stepping-stones.
Hop, hop, hop! Every step they took made a golden light. The water glowed yellow and warm. "We are making magic patterns!" cheered Ulf. It was so pretty.
Along a quiet village path beneath the midday sun, Hulda slowly trudges clutching her empty stomach, eyes downcast. Fallen leaves rustle at her feet, emphasizing her loneliness and hunger.
An old lady named Hulda walked by. She walked slowly and looked sad. "I am so hungry," Hulda said. "I have no lunch today to fill my tummy."
On a wooden lakeside bench in soft afternoon light, Ulf and Alva offer bright red apples to Hulda, who smiles gratefully. The open lunch bag rests between them.
Ulf and Alva looked at their lunch bag. They had sweet red apples. "Here," said Alva kindly. "Please eat with us." Hulda smiled big. Now she was full.
At a windswept village crossroads under grey morning clouds, Hulda hugs herself, cloak flapping as icy gusts whip past. Snow-dusted signposts lean while her bare hands tremble in the cold air.
The next day was very cold. Hulda shivered in the wind. "Brr," she said. "I have no warm mittens. I am freezing." The wind blew hard. Whoosh!
Beside the same crossroads at dusk, Ulf drapes his striped scarf around Hulda’s neck while Alva slides warm mittens onto her hands. Streetlamps glow amber, catching swirling snowflakes.
Ulf took off his scarf. Alva took off her warm mittens. "Take these, please," they said. Hulda put them on. "Oh, thank you!" she said. Now she was warm.
On the frozen lake at bright midday, Ulf and Alva glide across the mirror-smooth ice, rosy cheeks smiling. Pine trees frosted with snow ring the scene under clear blue sky.
Winter came to the land. Soft snow fell on the trees. The big lake turned into hard ice. It was time to skate and slide on the frozen water.
Gathered on the lake’s icy surface under pale winter sun, Marta kneels with Ulf and Alva, peering at golden star-shaped swirls frozen beneath them. The patterns sparkle like captured fireworks.
Everyone looked down at the ice. They saw beautiful swirls. The golden hops were frozen inside! "Look at the stars in the ice," said Marta. It was magical.
At night on the quiet lake, Ulf and Alva stand together as moonlight ignites the familiar golden swirls trapped in the ice. Their reflections glow, symbolizing the warmth of shared kindness.
The ice patterns shine every winter. They remind us to be kind like Ulf and Alva. Sharing love makes the world glow bright and happy for everyone.