The world outside Leoâs window had vanished overnight, replaced by a thick, sparkling blanket of white. By nine oâclock, the neighborhood was a flurry of activity, but Leo and his younger sister, Mia, had a specific mission. They werenât just making any snowman; they were going to build the Great Frost King.
They started in the backyard where the snow was deepest and untouched. Leo took charge of the base, rolling a small snowball until it grew into a massive, heavy sphere that required both of them to push. Mia worked on the torso, her mittens becoming soaked as she patted the sides to make them perfectly smooth. The hardest part was lifting the middle section onto the base. They grunted and pushed until it finally clicked into place with a satisfying thud.
âNow for the head!â Mia chirped, her cheeks as red as winter apples. She carefully sculpted a smaller ball and placed it on top. But as they stepped back to admire their work, the snowman looked a bit plain. He had no personality yet.
Leo ran to the garage and returned with two large lumps of coal he had found in an old bin and a long, curved carrot from the kitchen. Mia searched the edges of the woods behind their house. She didnât want a boring old top hat. Instead, she gathered stiff pine branches and several large, frozen pinecones.
With careful precision, they added the coal eyes and the carrot nose. Leo used a row of small pebbles to give the King a wide, friendly smile. Finally, Mia tucked the pine branches into the sides for arms and fashioned a magnificent crown out of the pinecones.
As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the yard, the Great Frost King stood tall. He looked like a magical guardian of the garden. Leo and Mia stood side-by-side, shivering but proud. They knew the sun might eventually melt their creation, but for today, the King ruled over Maple Street with a wooden scepter and a heart of snow.
