Timko was in the second grade. Quiet, with curly bangs, wearing glasses. The other kids didn't call him names — they didn't scold him, but they weren't friends either. They just passed by. And this made Timko sad — more than the A's or the manna for breakfast.
Before Christmas Eve, a festive table was set up at school. The teacher set the tables, put out pies and tea. She said: «Sit in twos or threes, with whoever you want.» Everyone started to sit down. Marinka with Lesya. Olezhko with Yurik. Sofiyka with Anna.
Timko stood by his chair. He waited. Maybe someone would sit down next to him. A minute passed. Two. Three. No one sat down next to him. The chair next to him was empty.
The teacher noticed. She hurried and sat down next to him herself so that he wouldn't be embarrassed. But Tymko was already embarrassed. He ate half the pie. He drank a cup of tea. And went home early.
The road home went through the village, through two snow fields. The snow fell in large fluffy snowflakes. Tymko carried his backpack and thought: "I'm seven years old, and I'm already lonely. What will happen when I grow up?" He only told his boots that he could trust them.
Halfway there he heard a faint squeak. Somewhere to the left, near the ditch. Timko stopped. He listened. The squeak again—weak, pleading.
Timko went down into the ditch. In the snow, under an old burdock, lay a small puppy. A mongrel, red and white, wet, shivering, beady eyes pleading. Someone had thrown it away — like a basket of apples after winter.
"Oh, you're mine," whispered Timko. He took off his scarf, wrapped the puppy around him, and held it to his chest. It immediately fell silent, only his heart beat fast and fast, like a watch.
On the way home, Timko was thinking: "What will mom say? Because we don't have much anyway. And the puppy is asking for food..." But someone appeared next to him, as if out of nowhere. Tall, in white and gold robes. A shining miter, a crutch in his hand, a white beard.
"Let me see who you found?"
Timko opened the scarf. Saint Nicholas stroked the puppy with his big, warm finger.
"This is yours. He was waiting for you. Do you understand? I showed him your way. Today is Christmas Eve. You deserve a friend.".
Timko didn't know what to say. He just nodded.
"And tell your mother: I asked for it. All mothers start smiling when they hear that name. Well, run.".
Timko came running home. He unwrapped his scarf. Mom gasped. She wanted to scold him. Timko said quietly, «Mom, Saint Nicholas asked me.» Mom looked at him for a long time. Then she smiled softly—really warmly. She took a towel and wiped the puppy’s head. «Puppy,» she said. “Let’s call him Puppy.”.
That same night, Tsutsik fell asleep in Tymko's bed, next to his cheek. He breathed in small breaths. Tymko placed his hand on his chest and felt the puppy's heart beating next to his. And it seemed to him: that's it. There would be no more loneliness. Because now there were two of them.
💛 Sometimes when no one notices you, it means that someone you haven't met yet notices you.