00:00Far away in a quiet, snow-covered region where the mountains touched the sky and the wind whispered through fine trees, there was a tiny village called Crossbrook.
00:09In that village, there was one small school, just a single wooden building with a red roof, always dusted with snow like powdered sugar.
00:18And in that school studied a little boy named Niko.
00:22Niko was small for his age, with big curious eyes and cheeks always pink from the cold.
00:27He loved stories, especially the ones his teacher told about ancient ice spirits and secret caves hidden in the snow.
00:36But more than anything, Niko loved learning, even though school wasn't always easy.
00:42You see, Niko didn't have warm boots like the other children.
00:46His family was poor, and he wore the same old coat year after year, patched up by his mother's careful hands.
00:53Some children teased him, but he never let it get him down.
00:57Every morning, Niko would walk to school through knee-deep snow, carrying a satchel made of old cloth and filled with dreams.
01:06One morning, a huge blizzard swept through Crossbrook.
01:10The wind howled like a wild beast, and the snow piled high.
01:14Most children stayed home, tucked by their fires.
01:17But not Niko.
01:18He wrapped himself in his coat, tied a scarf around his head, and began his journey.
01:25It was the hardest walk he had ever taken.
01:29Snow stung his face, and the wind nearly knocked him over.
01:32But he pressed on.
01:34When he reached the school, it was quiet.
01:38Only his teacher, Miss Anya, was there, surprised and teary-eyed to see him.
01:42You came? She asked.
01:46Even in this storm?
01:48Niko nodded, shivering but smiling.
01:51I didn't want to miss the story about the Ice King.
01:54Miss Anya hugged him tight and lit the fire brighter.
01:57That morning, they sat together with hot tea, and she told him the tale of the Ice King who had a heart frozen in loneliness, until a brave child found him and melted it with kindness.
02:10After the story, Niko said, I think the Ice King just needed a friend.
02:16Miss Anya smiled.
02:18Just like some of us do.
02:20Word of Niko's courage spread across the village.
02:22The next day, the whole school came back, even the children who once teased him.
02:30One by one, they offered small gifts, a pair of warm boots, a new scarf, mitten stitched by hand.
02:37And from that day on, no one ever walked to school alone.
02:41They walked together, side by side, through the snow, because one little boy reminded them all that courage isn't loud.
02:49Sometimes, it's quiet and gentle, like falling snow.
