In a certain fairy tale forest there lived a little bee named Zhenya. He loved physical education very much. With his friend the wind, he would do exercises in the mornings, and during the day he flew a lot, developing agility and endurance.
I want to be the strongest, stronger than the wind!
He said firmly. But Zhenya was still small and lost in competitions with the wind. Playing around, the breeze would carry him to the neighbouring meadow, or lift him to the top of a curly birch tree.
I'm still stronger than you! It's me, I'm the fastest!
Zhenya once shouted angrily at the wind.
Me! Me! Me!
The wind blew a bit stronger than usual and the little bee flew away to the magical land of "Yakalkа". In this country everything seemed ordinary at first glance, but as soon as you start talking to someone, you feel the difference.
Seeing a bearded beetle, Zhenya, like a well-mannered boy, greeted him:
Good day, kind sir, could you tell me where I've ended up?
This is my home, I'm in charge here. I built myself a little house on a pine tree. I'm very hardworking, I…
Zhenya flew away from the boastful beetle and met a beautiful butterfly:
Dear butterfly, good day, please tell me, what kind of country is this?
Hello, little bee! Yes, I'm lovely, I'm beautiful, I've been flying here for a month and don't notice anyone but myself, I have such colourful little wings, I flutter them so gracefully in the air? I…
Without listening to the end, Zhenya flew on, but everyone he met on his way boasted about themselves: the ant about his intelligence, the mosquito about his voice, the ladybug about her spots on her wings, even the worm bragged about his crawling ability.
By the end of the day, Zhenya's head was spinning: "Everyone here talks, and no one listens to anyone. How can I find out where I am and how to get home?" — with these thoughts the little bee fell asleep, using a plantain leaf as a pillow.
This leaf was also magical. In his sleep, it told Zhenya that it had lived in the land of Yakalkа for 100 years, and that conceited ones who like to say "me" end up here. To escape from here, you must not say the word "me" even once for three days, and accomplish three good deeds.
In the morning, Zhenya was awakened by a cry:
I want a new toy, I want sweet pollen, give it to me!
The little bee whined, kicking his legs.
Why are you screaming? Get it yourself, there are plenty of flowers, they're full of nectar. And if you don't work, you'll turn into a drone!
Zhenya asked him.
I can't!
Why?
Because I'm Prince Venya, I'm special, I…
That's enough, enough, your majesty. I know one magical trick, if you do it, you won't even notice how satisfied you'll become.
How's that?
Like this, repeat after me:
One stomp, two clap,
Three bend down, and turn around!
Squat down, give your hand!
Two jumps,
by the puddle,
And off we go!
I'm flying!!! I haven't done this in so long! What's this trick called?
Venya cried out joyfully and cheerfully, spinning over the flowers.
Exercises!
Wow! I'll do exercises every day!
Wonderful!
All day long Zhenya and Venya flew races and enjoyed delicious nectar. In the evening, Venya invited his friend to stay the night at his hive.
On the second day, after waking up, the friends did their exercises and flew to the fragrant meadow. Under a daisy, someone sneezed:
Bless you!
The friends wished in unison.
Thank you, I think I'm about to get sick, my throat feels scratchy.
A caterpillar peeked out from behind a flower.
Breathing exercises might help you, my friend the wind taught me how to do them.
What kind of exercises?
You breathe in deeply through your nose, hold your breath, and exhale slowly through your nose or sharply through your mouth, you can alternate. Let's try:
We breathe in the aroma of flowers,
Feel the sweetness in our throat.
And we blow on a leaf
Like a gentle breeze.
Great! I feel relief.
Said the caterpillar.
You can also do breathing exercises while moving, the wind brought it from China, it's called qigong. The main thing here is maintaining harmony of body and spirit. You need to breathe with your "belly" — when you inhale, puff out your belly, your chest stays still, when you exhale, deflate your belly. Your back stays straight, movements are smooth, just like your breathing.
Zhenya demonstrated the breathing exercise "Waves" by raising his arms parallel with palms down, and squatting slightly when he lowered his arms. Venya and the caterpillar repeated, with their legs spread wide:
All is calm, the waves sleep.
We will wake those friends.
One wave — we raised our hands
Lowered them,
exhale to the clouds.
Two waves, it's higher,
We exhale, quiet as mice.
Three we raised high,
Breathe in and out —
deeply.
After some time, other inhabitants of the fairy tale land began to join them. Surprisingly, no one said "me", everyone really liked the qigong breathing exercises. They smoothly waved their arms, sometimes bringing them together, sometimes spreading them to the sides, making a rainbow over their heads, then playing an accordion in front of their chests, while breathing deeply in time with the movement. So another day passed.
On the third day, friends Zhenya and Venya, flying around the meadow, saw a very sad ground beetle.
Why are you so sad?
The friends asked.
I don't know why I'm sad?
Let's play a game.
Zhenya suggested.
How?
I suggest a circle dance game called "Garland".
And Zhenya explained the rules: in the centre is the chaser, everyone else stands around him, saying the words:
"One flower, two flower, → Raise your left hand, lower it; same with the right
Together we'll weave a garland. → Rotate your arms in front of your chest
It's very sad to be alone, → Hold hands, lead the circle dance
Together we play the game.
Let's send the garland on the waves, → Standing in the circle dance, each child takes turns raising their hands
Flowers to the river, we run.
One, two, three – catch.
After these words, the friends scattered, and the ground beetle chased them.
Such a fun activity attracted the inhabitants of Yakalkа again. Everyone wanted to join the circle dance, and they were accepted on the condition that they wouldn't say "me".
One circle dance you cannot break!
Zhenya explained. The wind flew by and saw how the inhabitants of the land of Yakalkа were having fun.
Who is playing here?
Asked the wind.
We are! We're having so much fun!
The friends answered in unison and the evil spell was broken.
From that day on, the country was called the Land of Friendship. And Zhenya was able to return home. He continued to do physical education and became strong and agile, but never again was conceited or said "me". Zhenya often visited his friends, flying to the Land of Friendship with a gentle breeze.
