This story happened in the Ural forest.
It was during the coldest and snowiest winter. Moose were walking through the forest. At the front was the leader ― the oldest and most resilient. He was tramping a path through deep snowdrifts. In the middle of the herd ― two cow moose with little calves.
A cold wind blew and snow began to fall. The gusts became stronger and stronger, and a terrible blizzard swirled around them.
The leader said that soon there would be a clearing where everyone should lie down in a big snowdrift. That way it would be warmer ― they could wait out the bad weather.
When the moose came out into the clearing, a pack of hungry wolves appeared. The moose were frightened and scattered in different directions. A struggle began with the hungry predators.
One mother moose was pushing her calf with her forehead and urging him to run: "Little one, move your legs faster, we need to get away from the edge and hide from the wolves in the forest, get lost among the pines and spruces".
Go into the forest, and I'll fight off the wolf! He's almost caught us! ― she suddenly cried out…
Not far from this clearing, on the edge of the forest, stood a sturdy log cabin with barns. In the cabin lived an old ranger with his wife.
Granny, tomorrow the grandchildren will arrive for winter holidays, ― said the ranger, sitting at the table and sipping fragrant herbal tea.
It will be fun with them!… Look what a blizzard has started up, ― replied his wife, looking out the window.
I'll go to the station on horseback in the morning to meet them, ― said grandfather.
Better on the snowmobile, ― suggested the mistress.
You're right. Why torture the horse in such snow. Better on the snowmobile.
I'll prepare a fur coat and felt boots, just in case the grandchildren get cold. They're city folk after all: they don't wear fur coats or felt boots.
Early in the morning the ranger took the snowmobile and went to the station. Suddenly he sees: not far from the road there's a strange snowdrift ― it's moving. The ranger stopped and approached the snowdrift. He looks, and there's a little moose calf lying there. Frozen, shivering.
Oh, you poor thing... Where's your mother? ― sighed grandfather. He looked around and noticed blood on some of the trees here and there.
Wolves attacked. I wonder if your mother is alive or if the wolves killed her? I'll have to go back, I can't leave you here.
The ranger wrapped the moose calf in a fur coat, tied it with ropes to the snowmobile and slowly drove back.
Granny, I've brought you a gift, ― he said, entering the cabin. ― Here it is!
Oh my goodness! A moose calf! We need to warm it up and give it warm milk to drink. You go quickly, or you'll be late for the train. I'll take care of everything.
The ranger met his grandchildren ― ten-year-old Lera and Lyonya ― and came home.
Grandma, grandma, is that a calf you have? Did Burenka bring a calf? ― asked the children, seeing the animal.
No, Burenka will become a mother in spring, but this is a moose calf. Grandfather found it in the forest this morning.
Grandfather, where are his parents? ― wondered Lera and Lyonya.
I don't know if his mother is alive. It looks like wolves attacked the moose herd last night. That's why the herd scattered in different directions. And the little one got lost, separated from his mother, ― answered grandfather.
Maybe she was protecting him from the wolf, ― added grandmother, ― and died herself…
Oh, how sad, ― said Lera, almost crying.
She's alive. Don't whine! ― said grandfather, looking reproachfully at grandmother. ― There was a blizzard all night, that's why the little one got lost.
But how will the mother moose find him now? ― asked Lyonya.
She'll find him, ― answered grandmother. ― I warmed him up and gave him warm milk. When it gets warmer outside, I'll let him out to play in the pen with the goats. And the moose will find him by scent. Wash your hands and sit down at the table, I've made pancakes. And then you'll take the calf out to the pen with grandfather.
What else will we do today? ― asked Lyonya with interest.
What else! I need to check the property, see if everything is in order. Do you want to come with me? And after lunch we'll go skiing, ― offered the ranger.
Grandfather, do you check your property every day? ― asked the grandson.
Twice a day: morning and evening.
Will we decorate the tree? ― Lera asked, distracted from the pancakes.
I'll go to the forest right now and bring one back, ― answered grandfather.
I'm coming with you! ― said the grandson eagerly.
And I'll help grandmother, ― offered the girl and started clearing the dishes. ― And then we'll decorate the tree.
Granddaughter, I'll give you some chopped vegetables. Take them to the goats, and maybe the calf will eat some too, ― said grandmother, getting up from her chair.
Grandma, what if the mother moose doesn't show up? Will the calf stay with us? ― squeaked the granddaughter.
Probably.
Let's give him a name.
We can, we can. Think!
Losya. Let's call him Losya. We don't know if it's a girl or a boy. And this name will suit anyone.
Oh, you're such a clever one! ― laughed grandmother.
A day passed. Losya settled in and played around with the goats in the pen.
Early in the morning, a moose came out of the forest, limping slowly. She approached the pen and called out loudly to her calf.
A-a-a-e-e-e, a-a-a-e-e-e! Little one, I found you!
Ma-ma-a-a, ― answered Losya.
In the ranger's house they heard the cry. The dog barked loudly. Everyone ran outside.
The moose is exhausted, she's wounded, ― said the ranger anxiously, buttoning his fur coat as he walked, ― I can see that from a distance.
As the people ran to the pen, the moose collapsed to the ground.
We need to call the vet, ― said the man with concern.
Is she dead? ― the girl was frightened.
What will we do with her now? ― asked the boy quietly, standing at attention. ― For meat?
No, no! We'll drag her into the pen and treat her, feed her, ― answered grandmother.
We'll carry her to the barn with Burenka, there's plenty of space and it's warm, ― added grandfather.
Grandmother, grandfather, will we treat the moose and the calf?! ― said Lyonya excitedly. ― That's great! I'll write an essay at school about winter holidays. All my classmates will be amazed!
You just want to brag and show off, ― giggled the sister.
When they get better, then they'll go back to the forest. We won't keep them here, ― decided the ranger.
The vet came in the evening. He said that the wolves had badly mauled the moose.
I'm amazed how she survived. She must have really wanted to find her calf. It looks like we'll have guests until spring, ― said grandfather, entering the cabin. ― Well, granny, now we definitely won't be bored.
Grandfather laughed.
Hurray! Losya will live here until spring. We'll come visit you during spring holidays too, ― said the granddaughter happily. ― Will they cure the moose?
Of course, we have a knowledgeable vet.
