Winter had arrived. The forest stood in a silver garment. In the rays of the sun, it shimmered and gleamed with multicoloured sparkles.
A little rabbit with long ears, in a white fluffy coat, hopped along the forest path. Hop-skip, hop-skip… He had never seen such a forest before: it was the first winter of his life.
The rabbit's mood was playful. He was gnawing on a large orange carrot and humming a little song:
I'm a cheerful little rabbit.
I hop through the forest.
I sing a cheerful song.
A black crow
Gave me a carrot,
I gnaw it and sing a song.
A little squirrel descended from a large oak tree to meet the hopper.
Hello, little rabbit! You're so cheerful, gnawing on a carrot, singing a song. But where is your grey coat? And who gave you this new one—so white and fluffy?
Hello, squirrel! All rabbits change their grey coat for a white one in winter. It's so we can hide easily in the forest: behind white snowdrifts, bushes in the snow, and trees in white garments. That way, the fox and wolf won't be able to see us. Nature gave us little rabbits—cheerful rascals—such a gift.
I have a new coat too! Didn't you notice!
That's right, I didn't notice... So you change your coat for winter too?
Yes. Only our squirrel coat changes from reddish to greyish. It's so we're not visible in the trees, — answered the squirrel. — And we also store tasty provisions in our little pantries in the hollows of trees in summer: pinecones, dried mushrooms, nuts, berries. And in winter we take them out and eat them, and treat our friends. Here's an acorn for you! Enjoy!
Thank you, squirrel. I'll give you a piece of sweet carrot.
The rabbit bit off a piece of carrot, gave it to the squirrel, and hopped on. He hops, sings a song, and gnaws on the carrot:
I'm a cheerful little rabbit,
In my new white coat.
I sing a cheerful song
And I gnaw on my carrot.
I treat everyone to sweet,
Juicy... candy!
A grouse appeared on the path in front of the rabbit.
Hello, rabbit! I want some candy.
Hello, grouse! Here's my candy, — and the rabbit handed him the carrot.
What kind of candy is that? — the grouse was surprised. — That's a carrot!
For me, a rabbit, it's delicious candy! — the hopper said cheekily with a wink, and then boasted, — I have a new coat, look: it's white!
In winter I hide in a snowdrift, I'm warm and don't need a coat, — answered the grouse, — but I'll take a piece of carrot. Thank you! Here are some birch buds for you. They're so delicious! We love them very much!
Thank you, grouse, for the gift! — the rabbit was delighted and hopped on.
The happy rabbit hops along the path and sings a song:
I'm a cheerful little rabbit,
I jump and hop—
I sing a song.
I treat everyone to carrot
And receive gifts!
Suddenly, long shaggy sticks appeared out of nowhere in his path. The rabbit raised his head, and there stood an enormous moose. He had large antlers on his head. The rabbit was frightened, trembled, and fell silent at once.
Why are you scared of me, rabbit? — the moose said loudly. — Don't be afraid. We moose don't hurt such small creatures.
I'm a cheerful little rabbit. I sing a song, I gnaw on a carrot… — the rabbit mumbled.
You're a good fellow! Will you treat me to some carrot?
Help yourself, — the rabbit said quietly and handed all his carrot to the moose.
The large moose head bent down to the ground, and the rabbit placed the carrot right into the large mouth.
Thank you, rabbit, for such a delicious gift!
From behind the bushes, a red fox watched this scene. She had been following the rabbit for a long time, wanting to attack, grab him, and take him to her burrow. But suddenly the little rabbit started talking to an enormous moose. And the fox was afraid of moose: they had large antlers that hurt when they poke. And the brave rabbit had treated this giant to a carrot…
The fox became frightened. She realized that the rabbit was a friend of the big moose, and now she couldn't hurt him. In a panic, the fox ran through the forest and began telling all the animals and birds about the brave rabbit.
The little rabbit is now a friend of the big moose! — she cried, running through the forest and sweeping her fluffy tail to cover her tracks.
