Once upon a time there lived a Cornflower in the field. It was very beautiful, with petals as blue as the sky itself. Early in the morning it would wake up, open its little eyes, smile at the sun, breathe in the fresh air and share its delicate fragrance with everyone around. But the moment came when it needed to send its seeds out into the world.
A gentle breeze blew, and the little seeds scattered in all directions. One tiny seed flew far, far away, fell into a stream, and floated away…
The seed drifted along for quite some time until it caught on a branch lying on the bank.
I really like this place, the soil here is good.
Thought the future Cornflower.
But there's so much rubbish here! What should I do?
There was no other choice. It sent its roots into the earth and began to grow. Time passed, and the Cornflower became beautiful. Then one day two giggling friends, Masha and Dasha, were out for a walk when they spotted the Cornflower.
Oh, look how pretty it is! If I put it in my hair, it will look so lovely!
Masha said excitedly.
The Cornflower was frightened, hung its head and trembled with fear.
Why pick it? Don't do that. Let it bloom and bring joy to everyone with its beauty. Look at all this rubbish here. I suggest we clean it up and tidy the place, then we can come back and admire the little flower.
Said Dasha.
I'm all for it. Let's get to work.
Masha agreed with her friend.
The girls, singing a little song, collected all the rubbish. And there was plenty of it: tins, bottles, papers... Though the girls were small, they weren't afraid of the work and cleaned everything up. How the meadow bloomed!
Thank you so much for your care.
Said the Cornflower.
But the girls didn't hear him, because he was speaking in his flower language, which people cannot hear.
Masha and Dasha headed home in high spirits. They had done a good deed, cleaning Nature of its rubbish.
But suddenly, out of nowhere, appeared the Old Forest Keeper, the master of the forest. He lives in every forest, but especially loves the pine forests. The old fellow was dressed like a man: in a red sash, with the left side of his coat tucked into the right. His shoes were mixed up: the left bast shoe on his right foot, and the right one on his left. His eyes were bright green, glowing like embers. But there was such sadness in his eyes!
Hello, grandfather.
The girls greeted him.
Why are you so sad? What's wrong?
The master of the forest told the friends how clean and beautiful the forest used to be. Birds and animals lived in it, and many flowers and berries grew there. But people don't appreciate the forest's beauty—they litter and don't clean up after themselves.
I suppose I'll have to move to another clean forest, far from my home, just so I don't have to see how people are destroying Nature.
The Old Forest Keeper explained sadly.
Don't be upset. We'll think of something.
The girls encouraged the Old Keeper. They looked around and realised that the two of them couldn't handle this problem alone. The work was just too much.
What if we ask the whole class to come and help clean up the forest?
Masha thought aloud.
That's right! Let's call everyone to help. We'll organise a working bee!
Dasha supported her friend again.
On one of the weekends, the children went to the forest to clean it of rubbish. It wasn't an easy task they'd taken on, but no one gave up or lost heart. After all, they were almost grown up and understood what a good deed they were doing for their planet. When the work was finished, the schoolchildren hung up posters they had drawn, warning that rubbish shouldn't be left in the forest.
And the Old Keeper watched from the side, and he was so pleased and happy that he couldn't help but sing a little song:
They've called me Leshy since I was small.
I respect all the beasts and birds of all.
In my domain, I know every bush and tree.
I guard my native forest carefully.
A fairy tale is a lie, but it holds a lesson for good folk! Let this tale be a good example for everyone. Let each of us join the fight against rubbish, for the world is suffocating from it.
Don't litter, and Nature itself will say to you: "Thank you so much, friends!"
