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Chapter 1. An unusual walk
In early spring, when the last snowdrifts were just begi
– Darinochka, dress warmly, we’re going for a walk in the Valley! – the mother called, braiding her daughter’s long braid.
– Hooray! I love daffodils so much! – the girl exclaimed joyfully, jumping up and down with delight.
In her imagination she was already picturing endless meadows strewn with snow-white flowers. Darinka was sure that she would be able to collect a whole armful of daffodils for the house in the Valley.
Soon the whole family set off along a picturesque path winding between the hills. The air was filled with the aromas of herbs and freshness after the recent rain. Darinka walked ahead, stopping every now and then to smell the blossoming snowdrops or admire the fluffy buds on the trees.
– Don't lag behind, curious daughter! – Dad called out to her jokingly.
The further they went into the mountains, the more majestic the landscapes became. Mighty trees supported the vault of heaven, and gray rocks every now and then peeked out from the thickets of ferns.
Suddenly Darinka screamed with delight – the Valley of Narcissus appeared white ahead! It seemed as if someone had generously scattered millions of white pearls in the valley between the hills. The girl rubbed her eyes in amazement – these were countless daffodils! She had never seen so many flowers at once.
The parents watched with a smile as Darinka, throwing off her jacket, rushed to run along the Valley, deftly skirting the bumps. Soon her laughter and joyful cries mingled with the singing of the larks above. On this su