Once upon a time there lived a Cornflower in the field. It was very beautiful, for its petals were as blue as the sky itself—a deep, true blue. Early in the morning it would wake up, open its little eyes, smile at the sun, breathe in the fresh air, and share its delicate fragrance with everyone around. But the moment came when it had to let its seeds go out into the world on their own.
A gentle breeze blew, and the little seeds scattered in all directions. One tiny seed flew far, far away, fell into the water of a little stream, and floated on...
The seed drifted along for quite some time until it caught on a small branch lying on the shore.
I really like this place; the soil here is good.
Thought the future Cornflower.
But there's so much garbage here! What should I do?
There was no other choice. It pushed its roots into the earth and began to grow. Time passed, and the Cornflower became a beauty. One day, two giggling girlfriends, Masha and Dasha, were taking a walk when they spotted the Cornflower.
Oh, look how pretty it is! If I put it in my hair, it will look so beautiful!
Masha said with delight.
The Cornflower was frightened, hung its head, and trembled with fear.
Why pick it? We shouldn't. Let it bloom and bring joy to everyone with its beauty. Look at all this garbage here. I suggest we clean it up and clear the area, and then we can come back and admire the little flower.
Said Dasha.
I'm all for it. Let's get to work.
Masha agreed with her friend.
The girls, singing a little song, collected all the garbage. And there was plenty of it: cans, bottles, papers... Although the girls were small, they weren't afraid of the work and cleaned everything up. How the meadow bloomed!
Thank you so much for your care.
Said the Cornflower.
But the girls didn't hear him, because he was speaking in his flower language, which people cannot hear.
In high spirits, Masha and Dasha headed home. They had done a good deed, cleaning Nature of its garbage.
But suddenly, out of nowhere, appeared the Old Forest Keeper, the master of the forest. He lives in every forest, but especially loves the spruce forests. The old man was dressed like a person: in a red sash, with the left side of his caftan tucked behind the right. His shoes were mixed up: the left bast shoe on his right foot, and the right one on his left. His eyes were green, green, burning like hot coals. But there was such sadness in his eyes!
Hello, grandfather.
The girls greeted him.
Why are you so sad? What happened?
The master of the forest told the girlfriends how clean and beautiful the forest used to be. Birds and animals lived in it, and many flowers and berries grew there. But people don't value the beauty of the forest; they litter and don't clean up after themselves.
I suppose I'll have to move to another, cleaner forest, far from my home, just so I don't have to see how people are destroying Nature.
Explained the Old Forest Keeper sadly.
Don't be upset. We'll think of something.
The girls encouraged the Old Man. They looked around and realized that the two of them couldn't handle this problem alone. The work was just too much.
What if we ask the whole class to come help us fight the garbage in the forest?
Masha thought aloud.
Exactly! Let's call everyone to help. Let's organize a community cleanup day!
Dasha supported her friend again.
On one of the weekends, the children went to the forest to clean it of garbage. It was no easy task they had undertaken, but no one gave up or lost heart. After all, they were almost grown up and understood what a good deed they were doing for their planet. When the work was finished, the schoolchildren hung up the posters they had drawn, which warned that garbage should not be left in the forest.
And the Old Forest Keeper watched from the side, and he was so pleased and joyful that he couldn't help but sing a little song:
They've called me the Forest Spirit since I was small.
I respect all the animals and birds, one and all.
In my domain, I know every bush and tree.
I guard my native forest carefully.
A fairy tale is a lie, but it holds a lesson for good people! Let this tale be a good example for everyone. Let each person join the fight against garbage, for the world is suffocating from it.
Don't litter, and Nature itself will say to you: "Thank you so much, friends!"
