February

February is the shortest month of the year. It has only twenty-eight days, and sometimes twenty-nine in a leap year. The days are still cold, and winter is not over yet.

The rivers and lakes are still covered with ice. The ice is thick in some places, and boys and girls can skate on it. They wear warm clothes, gloves and hats. But if the ice is not thick, it can break. The skaters can fall into the cold water. So it is very important to be careful when you skate on the river or lake. You should always go with friends or adults and never skate alone.

Winter is still here, but the days are getting longer. The sun comes up earlier and goes down later. Many birds, which have stayed here all winter, begin to gather in groups. They fly together in the sky and make the forest and fields look alive. People enjoy watching the birds and sometimes feed them with bread or seeds. February is still a cold month, but there are signs that spring is coming soon.