When Polina was in the third grade, their school held a New Year's toy contest. The competition was held among junior schoolchildren, and the winner had to be chosen by Father Frost himself. Of course, everyone knew that Santa Claus would not be a real Santa Claus, but the one who comes to their matinees at school. But still, everyone wanted to participate and maybe even win or at least make it to the finals.
Polina was no exception. But she couldn't think of what kind of toy to make. No, she had ideas, but every time it turned out that someone was going to make or had made such a toy last year. Besides, there were a lot of toys that were not even clear how to make. It would be clear that Polina would need help from an adult. And she wanted to do something on her own.
In the end, Polina made an ordinary blue ball for the Christmas tree. The only thing unusual about it was its size: it was smaller than Polina's hand. But Polina made it herself and quite quickly. The last detail was left: it was necessary to write Polina's name and surname and the year when the toy was created with gold sequins.
That's when the trouble started. It turned out that neither Polina herself nor any of the older ones could write the inscription. If the balloon had been bigger, then maybe someone could have done it. But the balloon was already ready, and what to do next, Polina did not know. She had neither time nor idea for another toy. And frustrated Polina went to bed.
She did not sleep long, however: after a few hours she heard the sounds of some strange fiddling in the next room, and went to see what was the matter.
When Pauline entered the room where the big Christmas tree stood, she saw some strange people swarming around her. They were much smaller than Polina, with big ears and brightly colored costumes.
- Hi," she said softly, "I'm Polina.
- We know - answered one of the little men in a squeaky voice - Santa Claus sent us to help you.
- Is it real? - Pauline asked cautiously.
- Of course it's real," replied the other, "there are no others.
- Ah-ah-ah-" Polina stretched out, "well, thank you.
- That's our job - the little man squeaked... and Pauline woke up.
When Pauline woke up, she rushed to the next room where her balloon was. She looked at it and almost fell down. Because on the balloon was written in gold glitter:
POLINA YEREMEEVA, 2016.
No matter how many times Polina asked her household, no one told her who had left the inscription. And no one had heard any suspicious noises either....
It was pageant day, and Pauline began to get ready for school.
Ded Moroz approached each contestant, talked a little and asked about the toy. And now it was Polina's turn.
- What a beautiful balloon! - said Santa Claus - But what is it? Excuse me, can anyone read what is written here? Does anyone have a magnifying glass?
No one was able to read the inscription, but the magnifying glass, strangely enough, was found. When Santa Claus read the inscription, he said:
- I've never seen anything like it, and I think Pauline deserves a special prize.
- And with those words, Santa pulled an experiment kit out of his sack!
It should be noted here that Polina asked Santa Claus for this particular gift, and no one else knew that she wanted this set at all. No one argued that Polina deserved this set, although the others had much simpler gifts, and several people said:
- I'd rather Pauline get the spot. She made her own balloon, and I didn't.
That's how Pauline got third place.
***
Many years have passed since then. Polina has already grown up, but she still doesn't know who wrote the inscription on the balloon, and most importantly, how did Santa Claus get the set?
The end