The snow was very white. The snow was very soft. The little penguin lived in a land where the ice was blue and the wind sang a quiet, chilly song. Every morning, the sun came up and made the snow sparkle like tiny, bright diamonds. The little penguin had soft, black feathers on its back and soft, white feathers on its tummy. The little penguin loved the cold air. The little penguin loved the sparkly snow. It was a beautiful, chilly day in the land of ice and the little penguin wanted to go on a big adventure.
In the middle of the ice field, there was a big, round hill. It was the tallest hill the little penguin had ever seen. At the very top of the hill, the snow looked even more sparkly. The little penguin looked up, up, up. The little penguin wanted to see what was at the top. The little penguin wanted to slide all the way down. To get to the top, the little penguin had to climb. The little penguin took one small step with its orange feet. Step, step, step. The snow was slippery. The little penguin took another step. Step, step, slide! Oh no! The little penguin slid right back down to the bottom. The little penguin landed on its soft, round tummy with a little plop.
The little penguin stood up and shook the snow off its feathers. Shake, shake, shake. The little penguin was not sad. The little penguin wanted to try again. The little penguin took a deep breath of the cold, fresh air. Step, step, step. This time, the little penguin went a little higher. The little penguin used its flippers to help stay balanced. Wibble, wobble, wibble, wobble. The little penguin was doing a great job. But then, a little puff of wind blew. Whoosh! The little penguin was very small, and the wind was very strong. The little penguin slid down, down, down. Plop! The little penguin was at the bottom again.
The little penguin looked at the big hill. The hill looked very tall. The little penguin’s legs felt a little bit tired. A big, friendly seal was resting nearby on the ice. The big seal made a happy sound and clapped its flippers. It was like the seal was saying, 'You can do it!' The little penguin felt brave. The little penguin felt strong. The little penguin did not want to stop. The little penguin wanted to see the sparkles at the top. The little penguin decided to try one more time. This time, the little penguin would go very slowly. This time, the little penguin would be very careful with every single step.
Step. Step. Step. The little penguin pushed its orange feet into the soft snow. The little penguin used its flippers to hold onto the side of the hill. It was hard work. The little penguin’s heart went pit-pat, pit-pat. The little penguin was halfway up. The little penguin did not look down. The little penguin only looked up at the sparkly top. Step, step, step. The little penguin was almost there. The snow felt crunchy under its feet. Crunch, crunch, crunch. With one last big push, the little penguin reached the very top. The little penguin stood up tall and looked around. The world was so big and blue and white. The little penguin had done it!
At the top of the hill, the sun felt warm on the little penguin’s feathers. The little penguin could see the big blue ocean and the other penguins far away. It was the best view in the whole world. The little penguin felt very happy because it had kept trying. Now, it was time for the best part. The little penguin lay down on its soft, white tummy. The little penguin tucked its flippers in tight. One, two, three... wheee! The little penguin slid down the hill like a little black-and-white boat. The wind felt cold and fast. The snow sprayed up like tiny stars. It was the most fun the little penguin had ever had.
When the little penguin reached the bottom, it was very happy and very tired. The sun was starting to go down, turning the sky a soft, sleepy pink and purple. The little penguin walked back to its family. The little penguin’s mama and papa were waiting in a cozy huddle. They used their warm feathers to keep the little penguin safe and snug. The little penguin felt warm and loved. The little penguin thought about the big hill and the sparkly snow. The little penguin was proud of its strong orange feet and its brave heart.
The stars began to come out, blinking one by one in the dark blue sky. The moon was big and round and silver. The little penguin closed its eyes and listened to the quiet song of the wind. The little penguin was very sleepy after its big day of climbing and sliding. It was time to rest. It was time to dream about new hills and new adventures. The little penguin snuggled deeper into the warm feathers of its family. Everything was quiet. Everything was still. Sleep sweet, little penguin. Sleep sweet in the soft, white snow.
