In a forest there lived two best mates — Chipmunk Charlie and Possum Pete. The mates had been thick as thieves since childhood, they always helped each other in difficult times and looked after one another.
The forest where the mates lived was the most beautiful of all in the area, there were so many interesting and beautiful trees, and in summer, when everything around turned green, gorgeous bright flowers bloomed in the clearings.
Charlie and Pete often came here to play and admire the incredible beauty, bringing along various treats and toys. On one beautiful summer day, when the bright sun was shining outside and birds were singing their lovely songs all around, the mates decided to have fun in the flower clearing again.
They brought from home all the tastiest things — nuts, berries, seeds and other delicacies. Each of them had their own little house, and each decorated it however they liked.
The doorstep of the house where Charlie lived was decorated with different twigs that looked like crafts made from coloured paper. All the forest creatures even came to look at this beauty. Pete stuck beautiful patterns made of leaves on the windows of his house, he knew how to make very beautiful collages. The mates often visited each other and had great fun together.
And so, arriving at the flower clearing, Charlie and Pete spread out their mat, made from willow twigs, on the warm green grass, laid out the food and started running and playing. Right in the middle of the clearing stood a tall tree, and our mates loved to climb to the very top to see all the hidden spots in the forest, all the burrows and houses of their neighbours and all the clearings where they could go to play.
Charlie: Come on, catch me! I'm almost at the very top already.
Pete exclaimed.
The tree was very tall, and if you looked down from the very top, the mates' paws sometimes trembled with fear. But still, it was very interesting for them to compete to see who would reach the highest branch first.
Pete, how do you always climb to the top so quickly? Do you eat something special that gives you so much strength?
Charlie asked.
Ha-ha-ha! You're funny! You're just weak, and I'm strong, that's all!
Possum Pete laughed.
Chipmunk frowned, he always did that when he was offended. Every time the mates played games where they had to climb or run somewhere, Pete won, and always teased the slow chipmunk.
You know I was just joking! You're doing great, and I'm deliberately encouraging you so you'll move faster! You're my best mate, and I'll never love anyone else as much as I love you! I won't say that anymore, I really don't like it when you get upset!
Charlie offered Pete his paw and helped him climb to the very top.
And suddenly, when the mates settled on the very outermost and strongest branch, they heard a strange sound "chr-chr-chr".
Who's there???
Charlie was frightened.
Who's sitting here besides us? Where are you hiding?
Pete shouted.
From behind the leaves that covered the tree trunk, a small ginger face suddenly appeared. First a little nose appeared, and then eyes and ears.
G'day! My name's Arrow, and I live here now.
The new tree resident suddenly exclaimed loudly. It was a squirrel, with a fluffy fiery-red tail and a fluffy black chest.
Crikey! You scared us so much we nearly fell off the branches.
Charlie said with a loud sigh.
I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you at all. It's just that I'm new here, don't know anyone, so I didn't show myself straight away. You know what? Let's be mates! I know so many different interesting games, we'll never be bored. Come visit me often, and I'll treat you to sweets.
Arrow babbled and hugged her new forest friends.
From then on the little animals played and walked together, ran around the flower clearing, gathered berries and seeds together, and were happy.
One day Charlie, Pete and Arrow decided to go to the creek together. Arrow brought a small raft she'd made herself, and the boys brought various treats.
Arriving at the creek, Arrow sat on the raft and said:
There's only room for two here. You decide amongst yourselves who'll float down the creek with me, and I'll have a wash in the meantime.
Me, of course, me!
Charlie shouted.
Why you? I want to as well!
Pete protested.
You know, Arrow! You're my best mate now, so you should let me on the raft!
Charlie insisted.
What about me? I want to be mates and play with you too, Arrow. Charlie doesn't have as many wonderful and interesting games, and with you it's always fun and interesting!
Pete shouted.
The little animals started arguing amongst themselves and, in the end, both rushed onto the raft. Crashing onto it simultaneously, the raft suddenly broke into two pieces and floated off in different directions.
Well, you've ruined everything!
Arrow shouted.
She waved her fluffy tail and quickly hopped home.
And Charlie and Pete turned away from each other and went to their own houses.
Winter came, and it became very cold in the forest. White fluffy snow fell, in such a thick layer that you couldn't even see the bushes. One day Charlie decided to go outside from his house, he decided to gather new twigs to decorate his home. Having gathered everything necessary, the chipmunk started heading home, it was already getting dark outside, and he didn't want to wander through the dark wilderness.
But approaching his house he fell down in amazement — instead of his house, a huge tree lay on the ground, which had fallen right onto the roof from the wind. Charlie burst into tears, because now he had nowhere to live, and it was so cold outside. And then he remembered his new best mate who lived in the clearing at the top of the biggest tree in the forest. He set off to see her.
Squirrel, it's me, Charlie! Let me in, my house has been crushed by a tree, and now I've got nowhere to live! We're mates, aren't we!
As if? If I let you in, there'll be hardly any room left for me, and I'll have to share my food with you. No, I won't let you in. Go and build yourself a new home, I don't want to live with you!
Charlie heard a completely unexpected answer.
Confused by such a terrible response, Charlie sobbed, so loudly that Pete heard. The possum's house wasn't far from the clearing where Arrow lived.
He rushed towards the sound, and running to the spot, asked:
What happened, Charlie? You're crying so loudly I can hear it even at my place!
Pete? Aren't you angry with me? We had a fight, I thought you wouldn't want to see me anymore! I don't have a house anymore, it was crushed by a huge tree, and now I've got nowhere to go.
The chipmunk cried.
Pete lifted Charlie from the cold snowy ground and they headed home to the possum's place.
You know, Charlie, I've been thinking and decided that I've never had, don't have and never will have a better mate than you. Stay and live here, together we'll be happier, and we'll gather food together!
Pete sobbed with happiness.
From then on the chipmunk and possum never parted. They understood that you can't betray your best and loyal mates, you must always help each other, look after one another and never fight.
Free stories — they're a real and very good textbook for children and adults. These tales teach us to live in kindness and care.
