Mikkel stod ved vinduet i den hyggelige stue på hans fars gamle gård.

Mikkel stood by the window in the cozy living room of his father's old farm.

Sneen lå tungt over markerne.

The snow lay heavy over the fields.

December havde endelig bragt vinterens kulde med sig, og jul var lige rundt om hjørnet.

December had finally brought winter's chill with it, and Christmas was just around the corner.

Inde i stuen duftede der af gran og peberkager.

Inside the living room, there was the scent of gran and peberkager.

Men Mikkels hjerte var tungt.

But Mikkel's heart was heavy.

En prisvindende malkeko var forsvundet fra stalden.

An award-winning dairy cow had disappeared from the stable.

Den var vigtig for både mejeriproduktionen og gårdens gode omdømme.

It was important for both the dairy production and the farm's good reputation.

Mikkel tørrede svedperlerne af panden.

Mikkel wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead.

Han havde søgt over hele gården, men der var ingen spor af koen.

He had searched the entire farm, but there was no trace of the cow.

Med en dyb indånding tog Mikkel en beslutning.

With a deep breath, Mikkel made a decision.

Han ville bede om hjælp.

He would ask for help.

Mikkel greb sin tykke vinterfrakke og gik ud i kulden.

Mikkel grabbed his thick winter coat and went out into the cold.

Hen over den sneklædte gårdsplads så han Astrid og Lars, hans naboer, komme gående.

Across the snow-covered courtyard, he saw Astrid and Lars, his neighbors, approaching.

Han havde altid haft svært ved at bede om hjælp, men nu var det nødvendigt.

He had always found it difficult to ask for help, but now it was necessary.

"Astrid, Lars!"

"Astrid, Lars!"

råbte han over vinden.

he shouted over the wind.

De to stoppede og ventede på ham.

The two stopped and waited for him.

"Jeg har brug for jeres hjælp.

"I need your help.

Koen er væk."

The cow is gone."

Astrid, en kvik kvinde med en altid venlig tilgang, nikkede med det samme.

Astrid, a quick-witted woman with an always friendly approach, nodded immediately.

"Selvfølgelig, Mikkel.

"Of course, Mikkel.

Vi hjælper gerne."

We're happy to help."

Lars, en stærk og erfaren landmand, klappede Mikkel på skulderen.

Lars, a strong and experienced farmer, patted Mikkel on the shoulder.

"Lad os finde hende sammen."

"Let's find her together."

De tre satte kurs mod markerne.

The three set out toward the fields.

Sneen faldt tungt, og vinden hylede omkring dem.

The snow fell heavily, and the wind howled around them.

Det var næsten umuligt at se noget, men Mikkel følte sig varm ved tanken om støtte fra sine naboer.

It was almost impossible to see anything, but Mikkel felt warm at the thought of support from his neighbors.

De søgte i flere timer.

They searched for several hours.

Både Astrid og Lars forsøgte at opmuntre ham, men bekymringen voksede i Mikkels mave.

Both Astrid and Lars tried to encourage him, but the worry grew in Mikkel's stomach.

Pludselig stansede han op.

Suddenly, he stopped.

"Der er noget dér," sagde han og pegede.

"There's something there," he said, pointing.

En svag bevægelse i sneen tydede på noget levende.

A faint movement in the snow suggested something living.

Mikkel gik forsigtigt nærmere.

Mikkel cautiously approached.

Hans hjerte sprang et slag over, da han så det velkendte sorte og hvide mønster.

His heart skipped a beat when he saw the familiar black and white pattern.

Koen lå fint skjult i en lille lund, hvor sneen ikke nåede.

The cow was nicely hidden in a small grove where the snow hadn't reached.

Med et lettet suk smilte Mikkel til Astrid og Lars.

With a relieved sigh, Mikkel smiled at Astrid and Lars.

"Vi gjorde det!"

"We did it!"

Koen blev bragt tilbage til stalden, og de tre venner gik tilbage til huset.

The cow was brought back to the stable, and the three friends returned to the house.

Indenfor lunede bålet i kaminen.

Inside, the fire in the hearth warmed them.

Mikkel vidste nu, at han ikke var alene.

Mikkel now knew he was not alone.

Han havde atter fået troen på sig selv og forstået værdien af fællesskab.

He had regained his confidence and understood the value of community.

Julens festligheder kunne begynde med ro i sindet, og Mikkel vidste, at han altid kunne stole på sine naboer i vanskelige tider.

Christmas festivities could begin with peace of mind, and Mikkel knew he could always rely on his neighbors in difficult times.

Skønt vinterens kulde stadig holdt fast udenfor, strålede varmen af venskab og håb indenfor.

Although winter's cold still gripped outside, the warmth of friendship and hope shone inside.