Deep in a land where winters were extra frosty and summers extra sunny, lived a sweet girl named Marushka. Alas, she didn't live with a sweet family. Her stepmother, Holena, had a heart as cold as a January icicle, and her stepsister, Helenka, was as lazy as a cat in a sunbeam, and twice as grumpy.

One freezing January day, when snow lay thick like a fluffy white blanket, Helenka declared, "I want some violets! Go and get me some, Marushka."

"Violets?" gasped Marushka. "But sister, they don't grow in the snow!"

"Don't argue!" snapped Holena. "Go and don't come back without them!"

Poor Marushka, wrapped in a thin shawl, trudged into the snowy forest. Tears welled in her eyes. How could she find violets now? Deeper and deeper she went, until she saw a bright light. It was a huge bonfire, and around it sat twelve men. Some were old with white beards, some were young and cheerful, and one was just a boy. This was Great January, the oldest, speaking.

Marushka, shivering, approached politely. "Kind sirs, may I warm myself by your fire?"

Great January nodded. "What brings you here, little one, in this bitter cold?"

Marushka explained about the violets. Great January smiled. He turned to a young man with a twinkle in his eye. "Brother March, it's your turn."

March stood up, took a staff from Great January, and waved it over the fire. Whoosh! The fire blazed higher, the snow around them melted, green grass appeared, and little purple violets peeked out!

"Quickly, pick them!" said March.

Marushka joyfully gathered a big bunch, thanked the Twelve Months with all her heart, and hurried home.

Holena and Helenka were astonished. "Where did you find them?" they demanded. Marushka told them about the kind men in the forest.

A few days later, Helenka whined, "I want strawberries! Go get some, Marushka."

"Strawberries in winter?" cried Marushka. But Holena pushed her out again.

Back to the forest Marushka went, and found the Twelve Months at their fire. Again, she politely asked for help. Great January smiled and said, "Brother June, it is your turn."

June, a jolly, sun-tanned man, took the staff. Swish! The fire crackled, warm breezes blew, the sun shone brightly, and the ground was suddenly covered in ripe, red strawberries.

Marushka filled her apron, thanked them warmly, and ran home. Holena and Helenka gobbled them up, their eyes gleaming with greed.

Not long after, Holena herself said, "This time, I want red apples. Go, Marushka!"

Once more, Marushka found the Twelve Months. Great January looked at a kind-faced man with reddish hair. "Brother September, lend us your magic."

September waved the staff. The air turned crisp and cool. A nearby tree instantly grew green leaves, then blossoms, then small green apples that quickly turned big and red. Thump, thump, thump! Apples rained down. Marushka gathered the best ones, thanked the Months, and went home.

"These are delicious!" said Holena. "But why should Marushka get all the good things? Helenka, let's go ourselves! We'll get much more than she did."

So, Holena and Helenka, wrapped in their warmest furs, stomped off into the forest. They soon found the fire and the Twelve Months. But instead of asking politely, Holena shouted, "Hey you! Give us some of those good things you gave Marushka! And lots of them!"

Great January frowned. The other Months looked stern. "We only help those who are kind and polite," he said, his voice like the rumble of a winter storm.

"Nonsense! Just give them to us!" Helenka demanded rudely.

Great January raised his staff high. "So be it," he boomed. He swung the staff, and instantly, the fire shrank to embers. A freezing wind howled, snow began to fall so thickly they couldn't see their hands in front of their faces.

Holena and Helenka tried to find their way back, but they were lost in the blizzard. They called and shouted, but only the wind answered. They searched and searched, but the forest only grew colder and snowier. Soon, they were so lost and cold, they were never seen again.

Marushka waited and waited at home. When they didn't return, she inherited the cozy cottage, the little garden, and all the animals. She lived peacefully and happily, always remembering the kindness of the Twelve Months, and the forest was always a friendly place for her.

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