Lumphy is a stuffed buffalo.

StingRay is a plush stingray.

Plastic is a rubber ball. She can’t help it that her name doesn’t match her body.

They all belong to the Little Girl, but she has gone away on winter vacation.

It is the first snowfall of the year.

“Why does it decide to snow?” asks Lumphy.

“Because the clouds are sad and happy at the same time,” says StingRay. She is more poetic than factual.

“No, it’s what rain becomes when the temperature is freezing,” says Plastic. “I read about it in a book.”

“Let’s go out,” says Lumphy. “I’m curious.”

“Yes,” says StingRay. “It’s beautiful.”

“Snow snow snow!” says Plastic, bouncing. “I’ve read about it, but I’ve never touched it!”

“I need a hat,” says Lumphy. He is often cold.

“I need a plastic baggie,” says StingRay. She is dry-clean only. “Poke me some air holes.”

“I don’t need anything!” shouts Plastic. She just goes natural.

And so,

with no small

amount

of

effort…

…the toys go out into the snow.

“Is that a different tree?” asks Lumphy. “It looks like a different tree than before the snow came.”

“It’s turned into a candy tree,” says StingRay. “It tastes like peppermint.”

“No, it’s the same tree,” says Plastic. “I recognize the branches.”

“What do you think snow is, exactly?” asks Lumphy.

“It’s a blanket of peace over the world,” says StingRay.

“No, it’s frozen water,” says Plastic. “I read it in a book.”

“I mean, what is a snowflake?” asks Lumphy.

“A snowflake is a tiny ballerina,” says StingRay. “If you look closely, you can see it dance.”

“No, it’s just really tiny frozen water,” says Plastic. “I read that, too.”

It is

not

easy

to build

a snowman.

Snow angels are easier.

Lumphy finds icicles on a fence.

StingRay finds a puddle that has frozen solid.

Plastic finds a forgotten sled at the top of a hill.

The day begins to fade.

“What is a sunset?” asks Lumphy.

“It’s strawberry syrup pouring over the world to make it sweet before nightfall,” explains StingRay.

Plastic doesn’t say anything. She is thinking.

“Brr. I’m cold,” says Lumphy.

“My tail is wet,” complains StingRay. Her bag is leaky.

“Snow snow snow!” cries Plastic. “I’m a strawberry-syrup sun in the snow!”

Inside, the house is dry and warm. Outside, the tiny ballerinas have made a blanket of peace over the world. The strawberry-syrup sun has gone down.

And yes, the world is sweet.