TRAIN IN THE SNOW A story from Croatian past about a brave
boy called Ljuban
TRAIN IN THE SNOW This is a true story from our past which happened to children in a small village of Croatia.
The main character of the story is a boy called Ljuban. He was
cheerful, brave and smart and everybody loved him. His classmates chose him to be the class president.
TRAIN IN THE SNOW ď ś Ljuban used to spend his free time with his friends, happily playing and hopping on the green meadows.
ď ś Once Ljuban and his friends organized a wedding ceremony and a celebration just to have fun. They put a great effort in the organization of the event.
TRAIN IN THE SNOW ď ś Since they lived far away from the capital, which none of them had visited before, one day Ljuban came up with the idea to go with his class on a field trip to Zagreb.
ď ś The teacher agreed, so one winter morning joyful pupils went on their trip to Zagreb by train.
TRAIN IN THE SNOW ď ś Pupils were enthusiastically observing tall buildings and beautiful sights of Zagreb. They were having a great time until the moment when their dear teacher suddenly got ill.
ď ś Children called an ambulance. The teacher had to be rushed into hospital.
The teacher didn’t feel well, but he didn’t want to leave his class.
Then, the class president Ljuban stepped forward and promised his teacher that he would make sure to bring the class home safely.
Although heavy-hearted, the teacher let Ljuban take his class back home.
TRAIN IN THE SNOW ď ś Although the children were very upset because of the situation, Ljuban managed to encourage them and bring the class to the train which soon moved towards their village.
TRAIN IN THE SNOW ď ś However, that wasn’t the end of their troubles. The sky turned grey, and it started snowing. There was a strong wind and the train stopped. It was a very cold night.
TRAIN IN THE SNOW The train driver told the children that the train got blocked by a snowdrift and that they had to wait for help. The children were tired and hungry and they started crying in fear that they wouldn’t be able to come home soon. However, Ljuban didn’t cry. He was comforting his friends and organizing pupils to share the lunch food that they had. Then he started reasoning the train driver to let him and his friends help removing the snow from the rails which prevented the train from moving. The train driver, surprised by Ljuban’s determination and courage, let the children help.
TRAIN IN THE SNOW ď ś Children soon left the train and all together started removing the snow. When they had almost finished, the help arrived. The rails were cleaned and the train moved.
TRAIN IN THE SNOW ď ś The train soon reached its destination. Parents were waiting for their children at the train station. All people were talking about the events of the day with excitement.
ď ś Most of all they talked about Ljuban, the hero boy who helped his friends, and other passengers, to arrive home safely.
THE END The story was illustrated and described by pupils from class 4B (aged 10) from Primary school Jure Kaštelan, Zagreb, Croatia:
Marta Vračar, Marta Vukoja, Klara Kovač, Hana Demeter, Hana
Urukalović, Petra Dundović, Sara Basarić, Natalija Horvatinović, Paula Makk, Laura Gudeljević, Stela Kopić, Matija Hrgetić, Tomislav Mamić. Luka Nikolić, Luka Mić, Andreas Salopek, Lucijan Bednjanec Kahrić and Tomislav Miletić Mentor: Ms Suzana Plevnik, class teacher and librarian Translation: Ms Daliborka Zappalorto Rotim, English teacher The story was prepared and edited by: Ms Vesna Starešinić, project coordinator