Autumn had arrived. A girl named Katya traveled to the countryside with her parents to visit her grandfather and grandmother. Katya had prepared carefully for this trip, as her grandfather had promised her a mushroom-picking expedition in the forest.
The weather was wonderful. Katya jumped out of bed as soon as it began to dawn, and Fyodor Petrovich was already bustling about in the kitchen—preparing provisions for the hike. The mushroom hunters had breakfast, got dressed, left the house, and headed to the edge of the village. Then they crossed a field and reached the forest's edge. The trees had already dressed themselves in colorful clothes. Autumn sunlight shone through the branches. Between the bushes gleamed thin, delicate cobwebs. The air smelled of mushrooms.
As soon as Katya entered the forest, she spotted a mushroom. She ran over and pulled it out of the ground along with its root.
Grandfather, look at the mushroom I found!
Finding a mushroom is good,—grandfather frowned,—but pulling it out with the root is bad. Next autumn, a new mushroom won't grow in this spot. You have a small knife in your basket. You should have used it to cut the mushroom. That way, you wouldn't have damaged the mycelium.
Alright, grandfather, I'll definitely bring a knife next time,—said Katya, and she walked deeper into the forest along the path without looking back.
She saw nuts hanging high on a tree ahead. She wanted to collect them. She found a large stick and began knocking them down. After gathering some nuts, she looked around, but grandfather was nowhere to be seen. Katya became frightened: which way should she go? Tears were already beginning to appear in her eyes. But Fyodor Petrovich emerged from behind a tree.
Katya, you cannot fall behind your elders in the forest. And if you lose sight of me, you must shout loudly "Hello!" Otherwise, I'll have to search for you for a long time.
Grandfather, I won't wander far from you anymore,—said the girl happily,—look at what I collected!
The girl took the nuts from her pocket. Fyodor Petrovich looked at Katya's hand and smiled.
Those are acorns you've collected. Such nuts are the best treats for wild boars and squirrels, and even some birds love to peck at them.
So they're completely useless, and I should throw them away?—asked the girl.
When we get home, I'll teach you how to make little figures from acorns!—answered grandfather.
Fyodor Petrovich and his granddaughter continued their walk through the autumn forest. Katya collected a large, bright bouquet of leaves for her mother. Then they found a large stump, which served as their dining table, and ate lunch. Grandfather treated Katya to a candy. She unwrapped the candy and threw the wrapper on the ground, then put the candy in her mouth.
Katya, please pick up the wrapper,—asked Fyodor Petrovich,—there's no one here to clean up after us. This wrapper could cause much harm to the forest creatures, and remember, we are their guests.
Oh, grandfather, I love the forest so much! But there are so many rules we have to follow...—murmured Katya.
Fyodor Petrovich saw that his granddaughter was tired. They began to make their way out of the forest. When they arrived home, Katya immediately began telling her mother about all the adventures that had happened to her and about how to behave properly in the forest. Mother Svetlana put the bright bouquet in a vase, and grandfather began teaching the girl how to make various figures from acorns.
What an interesting weekend Katya had! She would definitely tell her classmates about it. And she would bring a beautiful autumn craft to school! And you, little one, will you go for a walk in the forest? Will you follow the rules of behavior in nature? I wish you to collect many interesting materials for autumn crafts for your kindergarten and school!
