Years passed, and Nicholas grew from a quiet, lonely orphan into a sturdy, energetic boy of fourteen. He had lived with many families in the village, moving each year according to the custom the villagers had established.
Every winter, true to his promise, Nicholas carved more and more intricate wooden toys for the children. By now, his craftsmanship had become remarkable. Using only his father's pocketknife and whatever scraps of wood he could find, he crafted tiny animals, spinning tops, dolls with painted faces, and miniature wagons.
The highlight of that winter was the annual village sled race down the steep snowy hill overlooking the frozen bay. All the children gathered, eager to test their homemade wooden sleds. Nicholas stood proudly beside his own creation—a sleek, finely balanced sled built for speed.
When the signal was given, the sleds launched down the icy slope amidst cheers and laughter. Nicholas steered his sled with expert precision, gliding past the other racers to cross the finish line first. The children erupted into enthusiastic cheers, hoisting him up and celebrating his victory on that crisp, joyful Christmas day.