The New-Year's Bargain

"The New-Year's Bargain" by Susan Coolidge is a late 19th-century children's story where two children, Max and Thekla, living in a cottage in the Black Forest, meet Old Time and discover the months as living characters, which starts a fantastic journey about time and tales of the seasons. On a cold winter day, while gathering wood, they stumble upon Old Time and his clay figures, the twelve months, but when Max steals some "sand of time," the months want it back, leading to Max's bargain where each month promises a visit, sharing a story and gifts to repay for their time. This sets up an enchanting tale teaching kids about time, seasons, being thankful, and having good responsibility.