Once upon a time there lived three old close friends: Leshy, Domovoy and Vodyanoy.
Leshy — the master of the forest — kept order in his domain. People were wary of the forest spirit, although he never harmed people, but only punished them for bad behaviour in the forest.
Domovoy lived by the stove in a tall beautiful house with columns, protected his master and looked after all the household.
Vodyanoy — the king of water and rivers — lived in a deep pool of the lake. A shaggy old man, covered in mud and with a big belly, didn't particularly like people.
One day they met and started a conversation about life.
I know everything about the forest down to the smallest detail.
Leshy said proudly.
I know where a new little tree has grown, what mushrooms grow under it, which clearing has lots of berries. But unfortunately, people come to my domain and don't look after it at all. If only you knew how many trees have been cut down, rubbish left behind, animals and birds destroyed. They should be punished!
I agree!
Vodyanoy supported him.
All the waste from cities and villages ends up in rivers and lakes. Fish die, everything living dies. People don't think that they're destroying themselves, because clean water is life!
I have to observe humans more than anyone else, so there's a lot I don't like either. Children don't respect their elders, elders quarrel with each other. There's no understanding, no love in families. Family is the most important thing in a person's life, and they don't value it. They should be punished!
The friends became so absorbed in conversation that they didn't notice the girl who was standing and listening to them.
I agree with you, but you judge people very harshly!
The girl said.
Who are you? Where are you from? What are you doing here?
Leshy, Domovoy and Vodyanoy began asking questions one after another, interrupting each other.
I'm Masha, a schoolgirl. Our whole class and our teacher came to plant bushes, collect dry branches and rubbish. At the entrance to the forest we hung a big poster saying you can't light fires. Last week we cleaned the lake shore of rubbish. Each of us looks after our home too. We're taught this at school. Don't punish people!
Domovoy was the kindest among friends.
Having thought it through wisely, he said:
With such a good young generation, our Earth will be clean, strong and beautiful, and people will live in mutual understanding and love.
Leshy and Vodyanoy supported him. And together with people they began to beautify the Earth with their actions.
