Prvi sneg. Jutros je pao prvi snegove godine. Decembar se približava i svisu pričali o vremenu. Dok sam gledala kroz prozor, ulice je bila bela, a automobili su vozili sporije nego obično. U gradu ljudi su žurili na posao. Na autobuskoj stanici svisu nosili kapu, šal, rukavice i debele jakne. Autobus je kasnio, jer su ulice bile klizave i mokra. Jedna žena je rekla. U gradu je zimi uvek gužva. Kad padne sneg, saobraćaj odmak stane. U prodamnicama je bilo mnogo ljudi. Kupovali su chleb, mleko, čaj, mandarinu, ali i praznične ukrese, lampice, sveće i male jelke. Prodavačice je rekla. Sneg dođe i svih odmah misle na decembar i praznike. Sviće se osmehnula jer je to bila istina. U centru grada radili su mali zimski štandovi. Prodavali su kuva novino, med, suvo voće i vruću čokoladu. Miris cimeta seoseća o svuda. Ljudi su stajali ispod nadstrešnice i čekali da snežna oluja malostane. Ali na selu život je izgleda od rugačije. Moja prijatelice i sela mi je poslala poruku. I kod nas je pao prvi sneg, ali mi odmah imamo posla. Na selu su ujutru prvo očistili dvorište, stepenice i put do štale. Njena porodica mora da nachrani krave, kokoške i pse, bez obzira na vreme. Ona je napisala. Kod nas sneg znači više posla. Moremo da pripremimo drva za ogrev, da proverimo peć i da donesemo vodu iz bunara prenego što se smrzne. Na selu ljudi nose gumene čizme, debele čarape i stare topleka pute. Niko ne žuri. Svi rade polako, ali stalno. U maloj seoskoj prodavnici kupuju osnovne stvari. Brašno, šećer, ulje, krompir, luk, a predpraznike i medenjakje i kandirano voće. Prodavnica je mala, ali topla. Vlasnice kaže svima. Srećan prvi sneg, počinje prava zima. Uveče se gradi i selo ponovorazlikuju. U gradu svetla sa izloga i lampica sijaju na belom snegu. Ljudi šetaju polako, piju čaju kafićima i slikaju dekoracije. Deca prave male snežne kugle ispred zgrada. Na selu kuće su mirne i tijhe. Iz dimnjaka izlazi topa od im. Porodice se okupe pored pećina drva, piju čaj od lipe ili kamilice i pričaju o planovima za decembarske praznike. Na kraju dana sneg je pao jače i pokrio sve, ulice, polja, krovove, drveće. Dok sam išla kući, razmišljala sam. U gradu je sneg ponekat problem, ali u selu je deo života. Ipak u oba mesta ljudi se raduju u prvoj pravoj zimi. Prvi sneg donosi hladan vazduch, mir i osjećaj da će uskoro doći vreme svetlosti, ukrasa i prazničnih dana.
The First Snow. This morning the first snow of the year fell. December is approaching and everyone is talking about the weather. As I looked through the window, the street was white, and cars were driving more slowly than usual. In the city people were rushing to work. At the bus stop everyone was wearing a hat, scarf, gloves and thick jackets. The bus was late, because the streets were slippery and wet. One woman said. In the city it's always crowded in winter. When snow falls, traffic almost stops. In the shops there were many people. They were buying bread, milk, tea, mandarins, but also festive decorations, lights, candles and small fir trees. The shop assistant said. Snow comes and everyone immediately thinks about December and the holidays. Everyone smiled because it was the truth. In the city centre small winter stalls were operating. They were selling mulled wine, honey, dried fruit and hot chocolate. The smell of cinnamon was felt everywhere. People stood under the shelter and waited for the snowstorm to subside a little. But in the countryside life looks different. My friend from the village sent me a message. The first snow has fallen with us too, but we immediately have work. In the countryside in the morning they first cleared the yard, the stairs and the path to the stable. Her family has to feed the cows, chickens and dogs, regardless of the weather. She wrote. With us snow means more work. We have to prepare firewood for heating, check the stove and bring water from the well before it freezes. In the countryside people wear rubber boots, thick socks and old warm coats. No one is in a hurry. Everyone works slowly, but constantly. In the small village shop they buy basic things. Flour, sugar, oil, potatoes, onions, and before the holidays gingerbread and candied fruit as well. The shop is small, but warm. The owner says to everyone. Happy first snow, the real winter is beginning. In the evening the city and village differ again. In the city lights from shop windows and lights shine on the white snow. People walk slowly, drink tea in cafés and photograph decorations. Children make small snowballs in front of buildings. In the countryside houses are peaceful and quiet. Warm smoke comes out of chimneys. Families gather around the wood-burning stove, drink linden or camomile tea and talk about plans for the December holidays. At the end of the day the snow fell more heavily and covered everything, streets, fields, roofs, trees. As I was going home, I was thinking. In the city snow is sometimes a problem, but in the countryside it's part of life. Yet in both places people rejoice in the first real winter. The first snow brings cold air, peace and a feeling that soon will come the time of lights, decorations and festive days.