Как котенок Правду искал

- Squirrel knows more. I just tread the ground and she can even jump from

tree to tree. She knows much better from there. You’ll find Squirrel in a hollow

where she hides her nuts from view and lay them in a store for winter.

- Thank you, uncle Hedgehog! – said the kitten and went on through the

wood without even knowing where to go and where to find Squirrel that knows

where Truth hides.

It seemed to little Murzik that he was walking for so much time whereas it

wasn’t more than one hour. The kitten was looking around frightenedly in a

gradually darkling forest when he heard threatening:

- Who-o-o! Who-o-o!

The kitten bristled, arched his back and started to move back to a tree

when he saw a huge Owl just in front of him.

- G-good evening, uncle Owl! – The kitten said stammering from fright and

began to straighten little by little.

Owl looked at him carefully before greeting. Then he said:

-Why are you strolling alone in the woods so late?

- I’m not strolling, uncle Owl, I’m looking for Truth, - the kitten answered.

- Truth, you say? Wel , to look for Truth is a good, noble thing. – Owl

nodded stately.

- Uncle Hedgehog advised me to address Squirrel.

- It is truly advised. Wait here a minute and don’t go anywhere. I’l be back

right now.

Owl spread his huge wings, flapped and went out of sight reaching into the

sky. The kitten was following him with his eyes trying to trace a big wise bird but

he didn’t see anything but the darkling sky above the crowns of the old pines. He

sat down by a tree and began to wait.

Owl was back shortly – he dived down with a gentle flap, folded his wings

along his strong body and landed steadily. A din of voices was heard from a tree

and by the next moment squirrel kits went down one by one with their mother

Squirrel behind. Kits were chatting cheerfully, looking at the kitten and hiding

behind old Owl.

The kitten admired funny switches on their ears, golden tint of their hair

and enormous fluffy tails. He unwittingly waved his tail to see it better and grew

sad as it wasn’t so fluffy. Squirrel passed her kids paying attention to everyone

and turned to the kitten.

- They say you went bravely into the deep dark forest to find Truth for your

friend… - Squirrel started speaking.

The kitten nodded humbly, standing in front of two adults and the whole

brood of playing squirrel kits.

Squirrel smiled to the kitten encouragingly.

- Why does your friend need Truth? – she asked little Murzik.

- Aunt Squirrel, my friend Vanechka got into trouble. His mother is very

upset because of a broken vase and he needs to bring back her good mood

badly. He said that Truth could help him. I heard it and went to look for her. On my

way I met a chick and a duckling, kind Water from the pond, the old father

Pinestry, Titmouse and Hedgehog. Then, Owl flew away to find you, because

you’re said to know for sure where to find Lesovichok-Borovichok, who knows

where to find Truth. – The kitten pattered.

- Wel , - Squirrel replied sedately. – Returning Vania’s mother her good

mood is worthwhile. And looking for Truth is a good idea as well. I’l help you.

Squirrel whistled as ever she could and the kitten even covered his ears

with his paws. The sound broke but nothing happened. The kitten began looking

around and squirrel kits ran to their mother to protect them. She hugged them all

and cuddled. And suddenly they heard heavy:

- Pooh, pooh, pooh…

The kitten also snuggled frightenedly against Squirrel, looking away the

side where the sound was coming. A minute after a bear cub stepped forward

from the trees. He was puffing heavily, trying to recover his breath from a fast run.

Slowing down he came to Squirrel.

- Good evening, aunt Squirrel! I heard you called me and came racing

along. – A bear cub sniffed.

Squirrel waved her paw to her kits and they darted away on a tree at once.

There they were sitting on a branch and observing the events happening down

with their enormous fluffy tails and pricked ears with funny golden tassels. One kit

was constantly eating nuts and was the plumpest one. The second couldn’t sit stil

even for a minute and was the slimmest and the most energetic. The third one

heard everything because he always had his ears pricked. And two other kits

always cuddled their mother in search of her warm and protection as they were

the youngest ones.

- You did everything right, little Potapych, - Squirrel replied to a bear cub.

– Lead him to Lesovichok-Borovichok.

- Alright, - a bear cub sniffed and moved his back up to the kitten. Murzik

stretched his paw out flabbily and then jerked it back frightenedly. Though, there

was no moment when he forgot that he had to help his friend by all means.

That’s why he climbed on the bear cub back. They took to the road after saying

goodbye to everyone. A bear cub was making his way through the forest and the

sky above their heads shone with a lot of stars. They were lightening their way in

order to help them.