Finally, an old owl perched nearby said, “You don’t need to hide, Pyotr. Try trusting others for once.”
Pyotr hesitated but decided to walk through the forest without his needles. To his surprise, no one attacked him. His friends stayed by his side, protecting him.
As spring arrived, Pyotr’s needles grew back, but he had learned an important lesson: strength isn’t just about what you carry on your back.
Moral:
True strength lies in trust and friendship.
Notes:
– Needles – sharp spikes on a hedgehog’s back (иголки).
– Exposed – without protection (уязвимый).
– Replace – to put something new in place of something else (заменить).
– Hesitated – paused before making a decision (колебался).
The Moonlight Fox and the Frozen River (Лиса-луна и замёрзшая река)
On the outskirts of a snowy Russian village, people whispered about a magical fox with a silvery coat that shimmered like moonlight. She was called Luna.
One harsh winter, the river froze solid, cutting the villagers off from the other side where food and firewood lay stored. Desperate, they called out, “Who will cross the ice for us?”
Luna appeared that night, her coat glowing under the moon. “I will guide you,” she said, her voice soft as snow.
The villagers followed her carefully as she traced a safe path across the ice. They moved slowly, but Luna’s tail brushed the surface, revealing cracks they couldn’t see.
By dawn, everyone was safely across, and the villagers cheered, thanking Luna. She bowed her head and disappeared into the forest, leaving behind only her glowing pawprints in the snow.
Moral:
True leaders guide others safely, even through the darkest nights.
Notes:
– Shimmered – sparkled or shone faintly (мерцала).
– Outskirts – the outer edge of a village or town (окраина).
– Trace – to mark or follow a path (прокладывать).
– Pawprints – marks left by an animal’s paws (следы лап).
The Willow That Caught the Storm (Ива, которая поймала бурю)
In a small Russian village by the river, there grew an old willow tree. Her branches bent low, almost touching the ground, and she whispered secrets to the children who played beneath her.
One summer evening, the sky darkened, and a fierce storm rolled in. The wind howled, lightning flashed, and the villagers ran inside their homes, frightened.
The willow, seeing the storm’s fury, called out, “Come closer, and I will protect you!”
A family of sparrows fluttered into her branches, followed by a rabbit and her young, then a pair of fox cubs. The willow bent her branches even lower, creating a shelter.
The storm raged, but the willow held firm, her roots gripping the earth. The animals huddled together, safe under her canopy.
When the storm passed, the willow stood tall again, though some of her leaves were torn away. The sparrows chirped, “Thank you, Willow. Without you, we wouldn’t have survived.”
The willow swayed gently and replied, “Sometimes, we must bend so others won’t break.”
Moral:
True strength is in protecting others, even if it costs you something.
Notes:
– Fierce – very strong or violent (яростный).
– Howled – made a loud, long sound, like the wind or wolves (завыл).
– Huddled – stayed close together for warmth or safety (сбились в кучу).
– Canopy – a covering, like the top of a tree (крона).
The Frog Who Wanted to Fly (Лягушка, которая хотела летать)
Near a calm Russian pond, there lived a frog named Tosha. He was happy hopping from lily pad to lily pad, but deep down, he dreamed of flying like the swallows above.
