In a wonderful, magical forest there lived a Rabbit. The long-eared one lived in his little house under a huge tree that spread its branches in all directions. Every day the Rabbit would leave his house in search of food, and when he returned, he would invite all his numerous forest friends over. Together they would eat and share interesting stories.
The Rabbit was very kind; he never hurt anyone and always tried to help the other forest inhabitants. Once the long-eared one caught a nut that his friend Squirrel had dropped. The nut fell from the tree and rolled down the hill. The Rabbit saw this and rushed after it. Once he caught it, he gave the nut back to Squirrel. He ran very fast and could outrun any forest creature.
And once the Rabbit helped Owl find her way home. The bright sun had blinded Owl's eyes, and she got lost. The Rabbit saw that the night hunter was sitting on a branch crying. He immediately understood what was wrong and offered his help.
And so one fine morning the Rabbit woke up and remembered that tomorrow was his birthday. Of course, he immediately thought about what gift he would receive. After all, it often happens that you dream of one thing, but you get a completely different thing as a gift. And then it becomes so disappointing. And sometimes you fall asleep thinking about wanting to be given, for example, a new beautiful game, and they give it to you. But for some reason you suddenly change your mind and start dreaming of something else.
The Rabbit's thoughts were interrupted by the singing of birds, who were singing their beautiful songs at the top of their voices. The Rabbit stretched out his paws, stretched nicely, and got up. He had no idea at all what he wanted for his birthday. He already had toys, and all sorts of interesting books, and beautiful clothes.
And so the long-eared one decided to go for a walk in the forest. There, someone would surely help him figure out what gift he was dreaming of.
The Rabbit runs through the forest and suddenly sees Mole in front of him.
Hello, friend!
The Rabbit was happy to meet him.
Hello.
The Mole mumbled barely audibly.
Why are you so gloomy? Did something happen?
The Rabbit asked cheerfully.
No, nothing. I'm just tired. I've been digging a burrow all day, and all by myself, without tools or help.
The Mole answered.
The Rabbit thought for a moment, scratched his head, and said:
Oh, that would be the perfect gift! Come on, Mole, see you later, I still have a lot to do.
The Rabbit ran further into the forest. And suddenly a large bag of nuts came crashing down to the ground in front of him.
Hey, up there. Why are you throwing things! Does it matter that I'm standing under the tree, and you almost hit me on the head?
The Rabbit shouted, raising his long-eared head.
Sorry, friend!
A guilty voice was heard from above.
The Rabbit looked up and saw a squirrel on the branch.
I dropped the little bag where I collect nuts. It's already quite old and the handles have fallen off. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.
The Squirrel jumped down from the branch to the ground and smiled shyly.
The Rabbit scratched his head again, looked carefully at the little bag, and went on.
He runs through the forest, humming a little song, thinking about tomorrow. And suddenly his thoughts were interrupted by a terrible knocking sound. It was the Woodpecker on the tree making a hole.
Hey, Woodpecker, hello, friend!
The Rabbit shouted.
Hello, little Rabbit. I'm making a new hole, getting ready for winter, I need to insulate. I spent last winter in a small house, and I froze so much that I had to brew berries and drink tea for two whole weeks.
The Woodpecker answered.
Meanwhile, it was already getting dark outside, so the Rabbit decided to go home. He wanted to go to bed early today so he could wake up early tomorrow. After all, tomorrow is his birthday and he can't wait to get his gifts.
Every year the Rabbit makes a wish, and gifts appear in his house early in the morning. Who brings them is still unknown. But the Rabbit knows that he will never be without a gift.
The Rabbit lay down in his warm bed and began to dream. What was going on in his head, in his thoughts—no one knows. But the main thing was that the Rabbit knew what he wanted and firmly believed that it would definitely come true.
In the morning he woke up in a wonderful mood. Getting out of bed and going to the door, he saw a huge box. Hooray! This is a gift!
There was a knock on the door, and the Rabbit hurried to open it. On the doorstep stood Mole, Squirrel, and Woodpecker.
Happy birthday, friend!
They shouted in unison.
Thank you so much! Thank you for not forgetting my birthday and coming to congratulate me. I was just about to open my gift! Let's go quickly!
The Rabbit was delighted.
The Rabbit placed the box in the centre and began to open it. He reached his paw down and joyfully said:
This is for you! You'll dig burrows quickly and easily!
He handed a beautiful bright shovel to the Mole.
And this is for you!
The Rabbit took a beautiful red little bag out of the box and handed it to the Squirrel.
This little bag is just right for nuts.
The Rabbit's friends were speechless; they couldn't understand what was really happening! Why was the Rabbit giving them gifts when it was his birthday?!
And this is for you!
The Rabbit took a set of hammers out of the box for the Woodpecker.
This is so you don't break your beak on the hard bark of the tree. You'll make yourself a big and warm house.
What does this mean?
The Rabbit's friends shouted in unison, full of bewilderment!
It means, friends, that for my birthday I ordered friends, or rather happiness for my friends. After all, if you're all doing well, then I'll be happy with you! True friends are the best gift in the world!
