A baby was born into a family of blue trucks. Compared to his parents, he was quite a small blue truck. Dad transported large loads, and Mum was just as busy – people trusted her with their important heavy purchases. Time passed, and the little truck Tyoma grew, wanting more each day to become bigger and more grown-up. "Then people will definitely trust me with important purchases!" He often stood in front of the mirror:
Mum, Mum, when will I grow up?
Don't rush, son, everything in its own time.
That's easy for you to say – people trust you with furniture and other things, but not me… – sighed Tyoma.
Mum always smiled at this:
It's our actions that make us big, not the size of our cargo bed, like mine or your dad's!
But Tyoma couldn't understand how actions could do that – would they make the wheels bigger or make the cargo bed grow?
Then one summer day, Tyoma finally got an important job: deliver building blocks to the kindergarten. Proud and delighted, he set off to complete the task, but the road to his destination was blocked by roadworks. He'd have to take a detour, which would cost him a whole extra hour! Tyoma was so upset he almost cried, but then he remembered another route through a small forest. He might only lose a couple of minutes, and he'd end up right in front of the kindergarten.
Driving along the forest path was pure pleasure on such a hot day, but the little truck had an important task and decided not to get distracted. Suddenly, a young squirrel jumped out in front of him.
It's a good thing I wasn't going fast – I managed to brake. Why did you jump onto the road? – Tyoma began to scold the squirrel.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I've lost my mum! – and the little one started crying.
Tyoma was in a hurry, of course, but he couldn't leave the squirrel.
Don't cry, we'll find your mum. Get in the cab, and I'll honk the horn – she'll hear us faster that way.
The squirrel stopped crying and looked out of the cab with interest – when else would he get a ride like this! And Tyoma honked the horn with all his might, which caught the attention of a magpie:
What's all this noise? Are you causing trouble?
No, Auntie Magpie, we're looking for the squirrel's mum – he's lost!
Ah – said the curious bird – then I'll help you look too.
The squirrel's looking for his mum! The squirrel's looking for his mum! The squirrel's looking for his mum! – the magpie chattered non-stop, flying through the forest.
Where, where is my little one? – the mother squirrel appeared and was right there with her rascal.
Thank you, my dear! – the mother squirrel carefully kissed the little truck.
It was nothing, really – squeaked the now-red truck weakly, which happened when he was very embarrassed.
After saying goodbye to his new friends, Tyoma hurried on his way – it wouldn't do to be late for such an important task! He hadn't gone far when he heard a groan.
The truck stopped and listened carefully. The sound was very faint. Tyoma began to examine the road carefully and spotted a young frog with a large branch pinning him down – the poor thing could barely breathe.
Poor thing, I'll help you right away! – Tyoma carefully moved the branch – Are you alright?
After lying still for a couple of minutes, the frog was already hopping about near the truck:
Ribbit-ribbit, thank you, my friend! Would you like to hear the cheerful songs of my frog friends?
I'd love to, but only next time – I'm terribly in a hurry! Goodbye, little frog!
Goodbye, truck!
With all his forest adventures, Tyoma forgot about the time – he was thirty minutes late! The kindergarten teacher was waiting for him at the entrance.
Tyoma, Tyoma – she said sternly – I thought you were a responsible truck, arriving this late!
And the blue truck turned red again, this time from shame.
I'll have to tell your parents that you're too small to carry even such loads!
Wait, don't scold him, it's not his fault! – the squirrel and young squirrel were already hurrying towards the teacher and the truck, and the young frog too – the magpie had brought them.
They all began talking over each other, telling what had happened on the forest path. The teacher listened with great interest without interrupting, and Tyoma… He felt just like a chameleon, turning red then blue, all his feelings mixed up – on one hand he was ashamed of being late, but on the other he was embarrassed by all the praise from the forest creatures, when he'd done nothing special, just helped!
I'm sorry, Tyoma – said the teacher – I didn't know you had such important reasons. Your parents are very lucky to have such a kind and caring son!
At home, his parents looked at their little truck son with pride (the teacher had told them everything) as he stood in front of the mirror.
And Mum truck, wiping tears of joy from her headlights, said:
Tyoma, how big you've become!
Tyoma looked at his reflection in surprise – it all looked the same, the cargo bed, the wheels, what had changed? And then the little truck remembered his mum's words, that it's our actions that make us big!
