Once upon a time there lived a grandfather and grandmother. They lived modestly, never indulging in luxuries. Their house was small, with ordinary furniture. Their only joy was a television—Grandma watched her soap operas while Grandpa watched football. One evening, while the news was on, Grandpa heard an interesting story. Apparently, in the city at the market, they were selling a wonder-turnip that grows enormous and, when it ripens, grants wishes.
Grandma, did you hear what they said on the television?
Grandpa called out excitedly.
No, I didn't hear. What is it?
Grandma asked lazily.
Apparently, at the market in the city they're selling a wonder-turnip that grows to enormous size and can grant wishes!
Grandpa said with admiration.
We need to go to the market, buy seeds, and plant a whole bunch of them. Then we can make lots and lots of wishes, and they'll all come true.
My goodness, what miracles! Can such things really happen?
Grandma wondered.
It's the twenty-first century, old woman, many things are possible!
Grandpa answered quickly and began to prepare.
We'll go to the city in the morning and find the seeds for this turnip.
Morning came. Grandpa and Grandma got into their old Opel, which took ten tries to start, and drove off to find the wonder-turnip. They drove for a long time with stops, and finally arrived. They parked their jalopy near the market and set off to search.
Excuse me, could you tell us where we can find the wonder-turnip?
They asked every vendor at every stall.
There were no seeds anywhere, but one young fellow quietly asked:
Do you need a turnip?
Yes, but we need seeds for a wonder-turnip, not an ordinary one.
Grandpa answered.
I have some, five seeds left. Will you take them?
Of course!
Grandpa and Grandma were delighted.
Placing the seeds in the safest spot, Grandpa and Grandma headed home. After ten tries, they got their Opel started and after several hours finally arrived.
The next morning came. Grandpa and Grandma woke up early, went to the garden, dug up the beds, and planted five seeds.
Time passed, but the turnip wouldn't grow.
Grandpa and Grandma walked around it, saying:
That vendor at the market cheated us!
And suddenly, after many days, a little sprout broke through the soil. It grew so quickly that within a week the wonder-turnip had grown enormous.
Well, Grandma, shouldn't we pull it up now?
Grandpa suggested.
Oh, I don't know, are we in a hurry? Maybe we should wait a bit longer?
Grandma replied.
And so they decided to wait.
Every day Grandpa watered the turnip and whispered under his breath:
Grow, turnip, grow enormous and huge!
After several more days, Grandpa decided to pull the turnip from the ground. He and Grandma came to the garden and pulled, but they couldn't manage it.
Oh my!
Sighed the tired Grandpa.
How can we pull it out?
Maybe we should ask someone for help?
Grandma asked.
We can't let it grow here too long. I made a wish, and it needs to grant it quickly.
Grandpa and Grandma thought for a long time and decided to call their neighbour for help. They pulled together, but still couldn't get it out.
Why don't I call my son?
The neighbour asked.
Maybe he can help us?
The son came, assessed the situation, and said:
We won't manage this. We need to ask for help from stronger ones—the forest animals. They'll have more strength, and maybe they'll help us pull it out.
Since the neighbour's son worked as a forester, he had connections with the animals. He went into the forest for help and brought back a bear. They all pulled together, with the bear at the front. He roared and waved his paw, but they still couldn't get it out.
Then the bear suggested calling the wolf—he's also considered the strongest animal in the forest, maybe together they could pull it out.
The wolf came, drove everyone back with his howl, and said:
I don't need your help, you weaklings. Now I'll show you how to pull out a turnip.
He hooked the top with his tail, howled, and pulled with all his might… But it didn't work, he just fell to the ground and hit his nose.
I know who can help us!
After resting, the wolf suddenly remembered.
Let's call the fox, my friend. She's clever, with imagination and resourcefulness, maybe she can help us.
The wolf went off for the fox, and on the way told her that they all together couldn't manage this wonder-turnip.
The wolf and fox ran down the road, and the fox thought:
I can't let Grandma and Grandpa get this turnip! I should keep it for myself and make my own wish!
Of course, the fox didn't tell anyone her thoughts and pretended to try very hard to pull out the turnip.
Night fell, and Grandma and Grandpa let all the animals stay the night so they could start pulling the wonder-turnip early in the morning. They put the fox on a soft bed to make her comfortable, the wolf curled up in an armchair in the hallway, and the bear sprawled on the floor next to him.
Everyone fell asleep, but the fox stayed awake. A brilliant plan had formed in her mind. The fox took a phone, dialled the emergency services number, and called the rescue team. A whole brigade arrived with a huge tractor that dug up the turnip in just one minute. They loaded the turnip onto a trailer and took it to the fox's house.
In the morning, Grandma and Grandpa woke up, woke the wolf and bear, and went to the garden—but the turnip was gone.
And so the fox deceived Grandma and Grandpa and took the wonder-turnip for herself. But it turned out the turnip wasn't magical at all, just an ordinary one. Or perhaps the turnip only grants wishes to those who are kind and honest?
