After breakfast, young bear Motya and his grandfather Boris Mikhailovich set off into the forest to pick berries. Along the way, they were discussing news about coronavirus:
We need to eat berries and vegetables to keep our immune system strong, then no virus will frighten us, not even "Corona"!
Grandfather said.
Once we fill our baskets with berries, we'll eat some ourselves and give the rest to our parents!
That's very kind of you to want to share!
Grandfather nodded approvingly. A neighbour, badger Grigory, was coming towards them:
Hello, neighbours! Where are you headed?
Hello, Grigory!
Boris Mikhailovich replied and looked at his grandson. But Motya was silent and shivering.
Hello, Motya! I haven't seen you in a while, you've grown so big!
Grigory addressed the young bear. Motya silently turned away and frowned.
We're going for berries to strengthen our immune system.
Grandfather began talking to the neighbour to distract him from Motya.
Well, all the best to you!
The neighbour waved and went on his way. Grandfather felt very embarrassed for his grandson, and he told him a story:
This story happened long ago in our village. There was a hedgehog named Fufik. He never greeted anyone, just snorted to himself: "Foo-fik, foo-fik-fooyay", and everyone thought he was saying: "I won't greet anyone". But we all know that when people greet each other, they wish each other good health. No one wished him good health, no one greeted him. Soon our hedgehog grew weak, his back and legs hurt, and his eyesight became poor. He walks with a stick and snorts: "Foo-fik, foo-fik-fooyay". Well, thinks the hedgehog, I might end up bedridden. He went to the dentist and had his missing front tooth replaced. He smiled at the dentist and clearly said: "Fdravstfooyay!", thought again and pronounced it even more clearly: "Hello!". Since then, you wouldn't recognize our hedgehog: he walks without a stick, smiles, and greets everyone.
On the way to the forest, Motya was silent. He imagined the poor hedgehog who wanted to greet others but couldn't. But he, Motya, could—all his teeth were in place, everything was fine, yet for some reason it was very difficult for him to say the word: "Hello".
And he remembered his grandfather's words: "The first step is always the hardest, but you must overcome it. Otherwise, you will never find happiness for everyone."
The first time Motya greeted someone very quietly, shyly, almost inaudibly, then louder and more confidently. Now he waves his paw at everyone so they can see him from far away, and says with a smile: "Hello!".
