After breakfast, young bear Motya and his grandfather Boris Mikhailovich set off into the forest to pick berries. Along the way, they were hotly discussing the news about coronavirus:
You need to eat berries and vegetables so your immune system stays strong, then no virus will frighten us, not even 'Corona'!
Grandfather said.
Once we fill our baskets with berries, we'll eat some ourselves and give the rest to our parents!
That's very good that you want to share!
Grandfather nodded approvingly. Coming towards them was their neighbour, badger Gregory:
Hello there, neighbours! Where are you headed?
Hello, Gregory!
Boris Mikhailovich replied and looked at his grandson. But Motya stayed silent, shivering.
Hello, Motya! I haven't seen you in ages, you've grown so big!
Gregory addressed the young bear. Motya said nothing, turned away, and frowned.
We're going for berries to strengthen our immune system.
Grandfather started chatting with the neighbour to distract him from Motya.
Well, all the best to you!
The neighbour waved and went on his way. Grandfather felt very awkward about his grandson, and he told him a story:
This happened long ago in our village. There was a hedgehog named Fufik. He never greeted anyone, just snuffled to himself: 'Foo-fik, foo-fik-fuite', and everyone thought he was saying: 'I won't greet anyone'. But we all know that when people greet each other, they wish each other good health. No one wished him health, no one greeted him. Soon our hedgehog grew weak, his back hurt, his legs ached, and his eyesight became poor. He walks around with a stick and snuffles: 'Foo-fik, foo-fik-fuite'. Well, thinks the hedgehog, I might end up bedridden. He went to the dentist and had his missing front tooth replaced. He smiled at the dentist and said clearly: 'Fdraastvfuite!', thought again and pronounced it even more clearly: 'Hello!'. Since then, you wouldn't recognise our hedgehog: he walks without a stick, smiles, and greets everyone.
On the way to the forest, Motya walked in silence. He imagined the poor hedgehog who wanted to greet others but couldn't. But he, Motya, could—all his teeth were in place, everything was fine—yet for some reason it was very difficult for him to say the word: 'Hello'.
And he remembered his grandfather's words: 'The first step is always the hardest, but you must overcome it. Otherwise, you'll never find happiness for everyone'
The first time Motya greeted someone very quietly, shyly, almost inaudibly, then louder and more confidently. Now he waves his paw at everyone in greeting so they can see him even from far away, and says with a smile: 'Hello!'.
