Finally, the long-awaited summer vacation had arrived. A girl named Zhenya and her mother Katya came to visit their grandmother in the village. Early summer in the village is wonderful—all of nature has awakened, everything is blooming, and the air is filled with the scent of wildflowers. The June sun is warm and gentle, rising high above the horizon.
That day, Zhenya woke up earlier than usual. Outside the window, the bright sun was already shining warmly. Grandmother Maria Alekseyevna was baking her favorite pies in the kitchen and humming a little song. The girl stepped onto the porch, where her mother was sitting on a bench by the house, sunbathing.
Mom, let's have a picnic today!
Exclaimed the girl
We'll pack a basket with snacks and go to the river!
That's an excellent idea, especially since the day promises to be warm
Her mother agreed.
After gathering everything they needed for their outing, Zhenya and her mother set off for the river. Near the small stream, there was a meadow filled with wildflowers. Finding a cozy spot near a willow tree, they settled down on the grass.
Can I go for a walk in the field? Look at all the different flowers! I want to pick a big bouquet for grandmother
Zhenya asked.
Of course
Her mother replied
Just make sure you don't wander out of sight! I'll sunbathe here.
Zhenya walked along the river toward the edge of the forest, where beautiful yellow flowers grew—flowers whose heads looked like the sun, round and bright. The girl picked a large bouquet and ran back to show her mother. When her mother saw the flowers, she frowned.
Mom, don't you like my bouquet?
The girl asked, surprised
Look how beautiful these flowers are—I've never seen ones like them before!
No, Zhenya, that's not it! The flowers are very beautiful, and they're among my favorites!
Her mother answered
But you see, these flowers are very rare—they're listed in the Red Book of Russia.
What is the Red Book? Is it called that because it has a red cover?
Zhenya asked with interest.
You see, Zhenya!
Her mother began to explain
Although our planet is large, it is very fragile. Modern human activities—deforestation, environmental pollution, poaching—all of this leads to the disappearance of certain species of plants, animals, birds, and many other living creatures. To preserve animal populations and endangered plant species, people created the Red Book, which contains information about each endangered species and measures to protect them. Each region has its own Red Book. These flowers, which are called Globeflowers, are listed in the Red Book of our region.
Time passed unnoticed, and the sun was already high in the sky. Zhenya and her mother returned home, and the girl placed her bouquet in a vase.
Mom, let's help protect the remaining flowers in that meadow so that no one else picks them by mistake!
Exclaimed the girl.
How can we do that?
Her mother asked.
I've thought of everything! We'll draw a flower on plywood that looks like a globeflower and write that it's listed in the Red Book. Then we'll take it to that meadow and plant it there.
Zhenya and her mother found a piece of plywood in grandmother's shed, an old shovel handle, and some oil paint. They worked all evening, and a beautiful sign was created. The next morning, they took a shovel and went to that same meadow where Zhenya had picked the flowers the day before. There were still several globeflower bushes there. They dug in their sign next to them.
Forgive me, little flowers. I didn't know you shouldn't be picked, but now we'll tell everyone that you are rare in our region
The girl said to the globeflowers
Mom, I'll definitely tell my classmates in the fall that there are plants that shouldn't be picked because they're protected by the state. Let's come back to this meadow tomorrow to look at your favorite flowers.
Her mother agreed with Zhenya.
