Once upon a time there lived an old man and an old woman. They lived modestly and didn't indulge in luxuries. Their house was small, with ordinary furniture. Their only joy was a television—Grandma watched her favourite dramas on it, while Grandpa watched football. One evening, when the news was on the telly, Grandpa heard an interesting story. Apparently, in the city at the market, they were selling a magical wonder-turnip that grows enormous and, when it ripens, grants wishes.
Grandma, did you hear what they were saying on the telly?
Grandpa called out excitedly.
No, I didn't hear. What was it?
Grandma asked lazily.
Apparently, at the market in the city they're selling a magical wonder-turnip that grows to enormous size and can grant wishes!
Grandpa explained enthusiastically.
We need to go to the market, buy seeds and plant loads of them. Then we can make lots and lots of wishes, and they'll all come true.
My word, that's amazing! Does such a thing really exist?
Grandma wondered.
It's the twenty-first century, old girl, all sorts of things happen these days!
Grandpa replied quickly and started getting ready.
We'll go to town in the morning and find the seeds for this turnip.
Morning came. Grandpa and Grandma climbed into their old Opel, which took ten attempts to start, and set off for the wonder-turnip. They drove for ages with stops along the way, and finally arrived. They parked their old banger near the market and set off searching.
Excuse me, could you tell us where we might find the magical wonder-turnip?
They asked every market stall holder.
There were no seeds anywhere, until a young lad quietly asked:
Do you need a turnip?
Yes, but we need seeds for a magical wonder-turnip, not an ordinary one.
Grandpa replied.
I've got some, five seeds left. Will you take them?
Of course!
Grandpa and Grandma were delighted.
Putting the seeds in the safest place, Grandpa and Grandma headed home. After ten attempts, they got their Opel started and after several hours finally arrived.
The next morning came. Grandpa and Grandma got up early, went to the vegetable patch, dug over the beds and planted five seeds.
Time passed, but the turnip wouldn't grow.
Grandpa and Grandma walked around it, muttering:
That market seller conned us!
And suddenly, after many days, a little shoot pushed through the soil. It grew so quickly that within a week the wonder-turnip had grown enormous.
Well then, Grandma, reckon we should pull it up?
Grandpa suggested.
Oh, I don't know, are we in a hurry? Maybe we should wait a bit longer?
Grandma replied.
So they decided to wait.
Every day Grandpa watered the turnip and whispered under his breath:
Grow, turnip, grow enormous, grow huge!
After several more days, Grandpa decided to pull the turnip from the ground. He and Grandma went to the vegetable patch and pulled, but they couldn't manage it.
What a business!
Sighed the tired Grandpa.
How are we going to pull it out?
Maybe we should ask someone for help?
Grandma asked.
We can't let it grow here much longer. I've made a wish, and it needs to grant it quickly.
Grandpa and Grandma thought for a long time, and decided to call their neighbour for help. They pulled together, but still couldn't get it out.
Why don't I call my son?
The neighbour asked.
Maybe he can help us?
The son came, assessed the situation, and said:
We won't manage this. We need to ask for help from stronger creatures—the forest animals. They'll have more strength, and maybe they'll help us pull it out.
Since the neighbour's son worked as a forester, he had connections with the animals. He went into the forest for help and brought back a bear. They all pulled together, the bear at the front. He roared and waved his paw, but they still couldn't get it out.
Then the bear suggested calling the wolf—he's also considered the strongest animal in the forest, maybe together they'd manage.
The wolf came, howled everyone away and said:
I don't need your help, you're weaklings. Now I'll show you how to pull out a turnip.
He hooked the top with his tail, howled and pulled with all his might… But it didn't work, he just fell to the ground and hit his nose.
I know who can help us!
After resting, the wolf suddenly remembered.
Let's call the fox, my friend. She's clever, she's got imagination and resourcefulness, maybe she can help us. The wolf went off for the fox, and on the way told her that they couldn't manage this wonder-turnip together.
The wolf and fox ran along the road, and the fox thought:
The old woman and old man mustn't get this turnip! I should keep it for myself and make my own wish!
Of course, the fox didn't tell anyone her thoughts, and pretended she was trying very hard to pull out the turnip.
Night fell, and Grandpa and Grandma let all the animals stay the night so they could tackle pulling out the wonder-turnip first thing in the morning. They put the fox on a feather bed to make her comfortable, the wolf settled in an armchair in the corridor, curled up like a bun, and the bear sprawled out on the floor next to him.
Everyone fell asleep, but the fox stayed awake. A brilliant plan had formed in her head. The fox took her phone, dialled the emergency services number, and called the rescue team. A whole crew arrived with an enormous tractor that dug up the turnip in just one minute. They loaded the turnip onto a trailer and took it to the fox's house.
In the morning, Grandpa and Grandma got up, woke the wolf and bear, and went to the vegetable patch—but the turnip was gone.
And so the fox deceived Grandpa and Grandma and took the wonder-turnip for herself. But it turned out the turnip wasn't magical at all, just an ordinary one. Or perhaps the turnip only grants wishes to those who are kind and honest?
