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.