In a wonderful forest, in a cozy hollow of a mighty oak tree, lived a charming little squirrel. And she was beautiful in every way. Her fur was smooth, her tail was fluffy, and the tufts on her ears were absolutely delightful, and the way she jumped through the trees was breathtaking. Even her name was beautiful — Bella. But the little squirrel had no friends. And all because she kept choosing and choosing, and couldn't find anyone better than herself.
One day she was walking through the forest. A cheerful and nimble rabbit came toward her.
Oh, Bella, let's run together. We're about to play tag with the other animals.
No way, Rabbit! You're cross-eyed, your ears are so long, and your tail is just a little pom-pom, and your name is b-r-r
The squirrel snorted and hopped away.
A name is a name — "Floppy" — my mother gave it to me and I don't need any other
The Rabbit thought cheerfully and ran off to his friends.
The squirrel met a little mouse near her home one day.
Bella, please help me. My burrow entrance is blocked with pinecones, and my paw hurts.
No way. You're so tiny, and you seem sick too. No, you'll manage on your own
And she hid in her hollow.
One day, a white bear cub named Snowball came to visit his distant cousin, the brown bear.
The squirrel saw them together and started laughing at Snowball:
Ha-ha-ha, hee-hee-hee. White as snow, and your name is Snowball too. Oh, I'm dying laughing, ha-ho-hee, have you looked in a mirror?
Bella mocked him.
Snowball burst into tears, feeling hurt. He had always been proud of his white fur, but now they were laughing and insulting him.
The animals couldn't take it anymore. And the brown bear spoke in his deep voice:
So what, should we all be squirrels? And live without friends? Open your eyes and look around: everyone is different — in height, in color, in talents. Everyone has their own special qualities. The rabbit is cross-eyed, but those eyes help him see all his enemies. But he's fast and cheerful.
The mouse is small but clever. She always helps everyone. And if she twisted her paw, that can happen to anyone. But she's so kind. And why do you insult my Snowball? He was born white, you're red, I'm brown, and the frog is green. So should we laugh at you? My bear cub won't be seen in the white snow in winter, but your fiery beauty can be seen from a mile away. So which is better?
The bear roared and asked:
Should we all be squirrels?
Live without friends like this?
Look around quickly
And you might understand suddenly.
And the ant spoke as if he were the bravest of all:
There are countless differences in the world, and each one here is just as they are.
A tiny ant, but oh so clever.
A small hedgehog, but with a big heart.
All covered in spines, but not mean at all.
The hedgehog also spoke, though he had been silent until now:
A white rabbit, a red fox. A green frog is also nice.
If a grasshopper has a broken leg, that doesn't mean he's bad now.
One is faster, another is more agile. One is kinder, another is smarter.
There are countless differences in the world, and each one here is just as they are.
The friends spoke together then:
It's not for us to decide, not for us to judge.
For we must live together in friendship.
