Бесплатный фрагмент - The adventures of the brave kid

Chapter 1 — First adventure

In a cozy little cottage on the edge of a sprawling forest lived a young kid, a little goat named Mitya. He lived with his mom and sister, Zoe. Mitya was a very mischievous and curious little goat.

— Good morning, Mitya, — said his mom. -It’s time to get up; breakfast is getting cold.

— If only I could make breakfast come to me, feed me, and wash the dishes, that would be great! — said Mitya.

— That only happens in fairy tales, — his mom replied.

— What’s for breakfast? — asked Mitya.

— Your favorite stewed cabbage and pancakes with condensed milk, — his mom answered. -Your sister will eat your portion now, so get to the table quickly.

— That Zoe again, — muttered Mitya, and went to the kitchen.

When they had all finished breakfast, his mom said,

— I need your help today.

— What? We won’t go for a walk? — asked Mitya.

— If you finish your chores, you can go for a walk, — his mom answered.

— What should we do? — asked Mitya.

— Today we need to plant cabbage, carrots, and beets. Take the shovel, Mitya, and dig some holes. Zoe will plant the cabbage seedlings, — said his mom.

When the cabbage planting was finished, they moved on to the carrots and beets. His mom showed Mitya how to use a hoe, and he started making furrows where Zoe dropped the seeds.

Soon, the work was done, and his mom let Mitya go play.

Mitya was jumping around in the meadow when a fox came up to him and asked,

— Where did you come from in our parts?

— My mom found me in the cabbage, — replied Mitya.

— And were there many of you like this in the cabbage? — asked the fox.

— Enough to last you a lifetime, — replied Mitya.

— Aren’t you afraid to walk alone in the woods? — asked the fox.

— Who should I be afraid of? Well, maybe you, red one, — replied Mitya.

— Maybe me, too, — said the fox and was about to jump on the kid, but Mitya managed to jump aside, and the fox hit her head on a stump.

— What, red one, doesn’t your head hurt? — asked Mitya.

— We’ll meet again, — said the fox, and ran off.

— I don’t doubt it, — replied Mitya.

A hedgehog came out of the bushes and said,

— Well done, Mitya, for standing your ground. I see you have a brave heart. But be careful, she’s very cunning, and she won’t forget this. You can always count on me.

— Thanks, Uncle Hedgehog, — said Mitya.

— “Bravo, bravo, — said a magpie. -Call me when there’s a rematch; I’d love to watch that.

— She’s been asking for it. I have children, too, and I’m scared to leave them alone without supervision, — said a squirrel, sitting on a tree.

— We need to stick together, and if necessary, help each other in trouble, — said Mitya.

The happy little goat went skipping home and was so eager to tell his mom his story.

— I chased away the fox today, — boasted Mitya.

— You have to be careful, son. Be wary of the fox, the wolf, the bear. They will always be looking for a reason to eat you, — said his mom.

— Let them try! When I grow up, I’ll fight them all off, — said Mitya, and began to jump for joy.

Chapter 2 — Water from the well

Mitya’s mom sent him to get water from the well, which was located at the other end of the forest.

— Can I come with you? — asked his little sister.

— Come on, but stay close, — said Mitya.

— Yes, sir, — said Zoe, saluting with her hoof.

Mitya took a small cart, put a bucket and a water jug on it, and they set off on their journey.

As they walked, they saw a mole sticking its head out of the ground.

— Who’s passing by? — asked the mole.

— It’s Mitya the kid and his little sister, Zoe, — answered Mitya.

— Mitya, can you tell me what day it is? — asked the mole.

— It was Tuesday this morning. Don’t you know? — asked Mitya.

— I’m blind, so I often get confused about the calendar, — answered the mole.

— Then you need to see a doctor, — advised Mitya.

— No, it runs in the family. My ancestors were always blind, too, — said the mole.

— Maybe you should buy glasses. You might get your sight back, — asked Mitya.

— That’s a good idea. I should think about it, — answered the mole.

They went on, and Mitya saw a giant snake climbing up a tree to feast on the baby birds that were sitting on the branch in their nest.

— Get down from there right now, or you’ll be sorry! — yelled Mitya.

— Who are you? — asked the snake.

— I’m Mitya the kid — protector of all the weak and defenseless, — replied Mitya.

— You’re a protector! Ha! Ha! Ha! You look at yourself. If I get down from here, you won’t like what happens to you, — hissed the snake.

Zoe hid behind the cart and trembled with fear.

Mitya looked around for something, anything, that could help him in this battle with the snake. He saw a long stick. As the snake descended to the right distance, Mitya hit it several times with the stick. The snake fell, hissed, and slithered away.

— Thank you, kid, I don’t forget kindness, — said a titmouse.

He went over to Zoe, hugged her, and asked,

— You were scared?

— I was scared, — said Zoe.

— Don’t worry, I’m your brother, so I won’t let anyone bully you, — said the kid.

They reached the well and started to get water. Once they had filled the jug and the bucket, they rested a little and then set off back home.

On their way back, a bear came toward them.

— So, this is the tough guy who’s shown up in the forest. Well, well, well, — said the bear.

— Yes, I am. What about it? — asked the kid.

— I’ve heard about your heroic deeds. That fox is still at home taking headache pills. Do you mind sharing your water with me? — asked the bear.

— No, you can have it, — said Mitya, and gave him the bucket of water.

The bear drank his fill and said,

— You’re a good guy. Brave, honest, noble. I like you, and just because I like you, I offer you my friendship. If you’re ever in trouble, just call on me. I’ll always come to your aid, — said the bear.

— And you won’t eat us now? — asked Zoe, scared.

— What, sweetie? There’s enough normal food in this forest. I don’t go hungry. You go home. Your mom is probably waiting for you, — said the bear, and went away.

Mitya continued driving the cart with water when he saw a raccoon hiding in the bushes. Mitya asked him,

— Who are you hiding from, raccoon?

— Well, I promised the boar I’d help him with his chores, but I didn’t come. Now I’m afraid he’s going to make a cutlet out of me, — said the raccoon.

— You need to keep your word. Don’t worry about him. I’ll take care of everything, — said Mitya, stepping out of the bushes with the raccoon.

Just then, the boar came running to the raccoon, all angry. He said,

— So, that’s how you treat me! I come to you with an open heart, and you don’t even come to help me.

— Sorry, boar, but he was busy. I asked him to help me get some water. That’s why he agreed. Not right away, though. He said he’d made an agreement with you, but I told him to help me first. Then we’d help you with your chores. So forgive him. It’s my fault, — said Mitya.

— So what should we do now? — asked the boar.

— Nothing, he’s now free, so he’s at your disposal. Don’t be angry at us, it’s better to drink some of my water. It’s clean, from the well, — said Mitya.

He drank the water, calmed down, and said,

— Thank you, kid, the water is really good. I got a little angry, but I don’t hold any grudges against you. Well, raccoon, let’s get to work? — said the boar.

— Of course, boar, whatever you say, — answered the raccoon, winking at the kid.

— That’s what happens when you don’t keep your word, — said Mitya to his sister. And soon, they reached home, where his mom was waiting for them.

Chapter 3: Who to help?

Mitya was walking through the forest.

— Hey! Do you want to help me? — asked a badger.