In a taiga forest under an old large oak tree, in a small and cosy den, lived a little bear cub. The animals affectionately called him Mishutka. Because of his thick and shiny fur, he looked like a plush toy, and a white triangle on his chest gave him a noble appearance.
And what a terrible sweet tooth he had! He was always munching on raspberries, constantly smacking his lips and washing them down with sticky honey. When he was very small, his mother, the she-bear, often treated him to this delicacy, and afterwards his paws would become sticky and fragrant.
With his mum, Mishutka was always cheerful and calm. But one day hunters came into their forest. Loud gunshots frightened the little bear and made him curl up into a ball in the deepest part of the den.
Don't go anywhere, wait for me here! ― his mother the she-bear commanded strictly.
Then she hugged him tightly to herself with her large furry paw for a few moments, growled mournfully and, sighing heavily, let him go. The little bear only saw her dash away quickly in the direction from which the gunshots were coming.
Soon everything went quiet. Mishutka calmed down and began patiently waiting for his mum. But she didn't come back...
That evening he wandered through the forest for a long time hoping to find her. But he only met a disgruntled hedgehog, who reluctantly crawled out of his burrow and looked at him with sleepy, frequently blinking eyes.
Little bear, why are you making such a racket through the whole forest?! You won't let me sleep! ― the hedgehog protested.
I've lost my mum, ― answered the bewildered Mishutka, sniffling, ― and I'm lost too.
Come on, I'll take you back to your den. I know where it is! ― the hedgehog offered kindly, already scurrying along on his little legs down the narrow path leading deeper into the forest.
From that day on, the little bear and the hedgehog became inseparable friends. They played and had fun all day long, and then, tired out, they would go into the den and together sip fragrant tea with jam or honey. Mishutka loved his friend and affectionately called him Puff because his tiny black nose was constantly whistling and snuffling.
Hey, are you home? ― came the hedgehog's voice one early spring morning.
Yes, Puff, come in! ― the little bear replied happily, half asleep.
The hedgehog rolled into the den, nimbly unrolled himself from his ball and, blinking his black bead-like eyes frequently, exclaimed enthusiastically:
Look quick at what I found at the loggers' camp!
The little bear froze for a moment at what he saw, and a sparkle appeared in his eyes. In the hedgehog's paws was nothing other than a tin of open condensed milk.
Mishutka, you hide it for now! I'll come this evening and we'll have tea with it. But I'm in a hurry now, I need to rush off to gather mushrooms, look how many have popped up after the rain!
The little bear could hardly wait for evening. He brewed his favourite linden tea with raspberries, carefully placed the tin of condensed milk in the middle of the table and patiently began to wait...
The tea had already gone cold and it had been dark for ages, but the hedgehog still hadn't returned. He'd gathered so many mushrooms that day, enough for almost the whole winter.
And Mishutka couldn't sleep, tossing and turning from side to side and constantly scolding himself:
Why did I have to sniff it, now I can't forget that smell! Just one more little sniff, what's the harm...
The little bear took out the hidden tin, timidly opened the lid and... couldn't help himself: his paw treacherously reached out for the treat all by itself.
In the morning a pleased hedgehog appeared. A smile never left his little face, he was all anticipation of the sweet treat.
Mishutka, I didn't make it to you yesterday. Forgive me. I hope you didn't try the condensed milk without me?
The little bear didn't know what to say to his friend. He guiltily lowered his eyes and shrank back, so much so that his little plush ears pressed against his cheeks.
I thought we were friends, ― Puff mumbled in confusion and, snorting loudly, quickly rolled out of the den.
The little bear watched the fleeing hedgehog for a long time. And then a thought came into his head that made him feel both joyful and terrified at the same time. But Mishutka couldn't lose his friend, so he quickly made a decision.
His little heart was pounding so hard that his paws kept slipping off the path. With quick bounds he headed in the direction from which the loud sound of axes could be heard.
The loggers spotted the uninvited guest from far away and fell silent. The frightened little one stopped quite close to them and, rising slightly on his hind legs, tried to growl menacingly. But from fear, the plush brave one's throat seemed to tighten, and the roar came out sounding more like a moan.
Well, my friend, you've come back? ― one of the workers called out kindly to the little bear.
We know, we know, who pinched our condensed milk. You liked it, didn't you? Well, come here then, since you've come. We'll treat you again!
And the loggers brought out a new tin of condensed milk from their wagon. Carefully opening it with a penknife, they cautiously placed it under a spruce tree not far from the little bear and began to watch what would happen. Mishutka, without thinking twice, quickly grabbed it in his teeth and with confident bounds headed towards the hedgehog's home.
Mishutka, I still can't understand how you weren't scared? ― the hedgehog mused, sipping fragrant raspberry and blackberry tea and carefully dipping his paw into the condensed milk.
You know, Puff, I don't know myself how it happened. I just really wanted to sit here next to you again like this and drink our favourite tea...
To be continued…
