In a very thick forest, on the edge of a bright clearing that stretched out near a small lake, the cheerful mischievous cries of three close friends could be heard.
A little hippopotamus, whom everyone called Shorty-Boom because of his chubby appearance and short little legs.
A frog named Ribanya, because she felt as comfortable in the lake as a fish in water.
And a drake named Quack, because he always quacked loudly when he was very happy.
The friends always loved to gather on the shore of the clearing, because on clear sunny days it was very cozy there. The sun warmed the sand and water. Shorty-Boom, burrowing into the wet warm sand, basked in the rays of the gentle sun.
Through half-open eyelids, he watched as Ribanya showed Quack her latest pirouette. Jumping from a branch into the water, the little frog performed such tricks that Quack couldn't stop laughing continuously.
All three friends felt incredibly good, so they enjoyed life.
One day, during one of the games invented by the restless little frog, they needed to reach the other side of the lake. The little frog, jumping high, disappeared into the water. You could see how quickly, moving his little legs, he rushed to the other shore.
Quack only quacked in surprise, but, calmly settling onto the water's surface, with a few powerful strokes of his feet overtook Ribanya and watched slyly as he was just getting to shore, breathing heavily.
Wow, you're something!
That's all the little frog could say.
Well, I'm the best swimmer on this lake!
The drake answered proudly.
Both friends watched sympathetically as Shorty-Boom reached the shore, snorting and raising clouds of spray.
The friends wondered who among them was the best at water activities. It was clear that Quack was the fastest swimmer, but was that enough?
And then the clever little frog suggested:
So, we need to vary our competition! Let's see who among us dives the best!
Shorty-Boom dived first. His large body disappeared under the water, but after some time a head with large nostrils and eyes popped out from under the water.
That's it, I'm done, I can't anymore.
Quack disappeared under the water second. More time passed, and suddenly almost in the middle of the lake his cute little head appeared. Quack held a sprig of seaweed in his beak.
Now it's my turn!
Ribanya croaked across the entire lake and dove under the water like a swallow. Time passed. The surface of the lake had long since calmed down, but there was no sign of Ribanya.
The friends became worried, started running along the shore of the lake, calling the little frog. In response, only the rustling of reeds could be heard. The worry grew. Quack and Shorty-Boom were genuinely frightened.
And then they saw their friend emerge from under the water with a smile across his entire frog face!
Hurray!!!! I won!
Echoed across the entire lake! Yes—Ribanya proved himself worthy.
The friends had barely caught their breath when the little frog suggested another test. They needed to find out who could splash into the water the loudest.
Quack volunteered first. Running up and flapping his wings loudly, the drake fell into the water.
Well, that's something!
Said Ribanya and immediately, spreading out, splashed into the water with a loud slap.
Quack appreciated his effort. The friends started discussing who had made more spray.
However, just then a wave washed them into the reeds: a crash of such force rang out across the clearing that all the birds in the area took flight.
Well, little ones, learn from this!
Shorty-Boom answered cheekily to his two wet friends, who were peeking out of the reeds in amazement!
All three friends were very pleased with themselves, because each of them had won in one category, becoming the best.
Deciding to rest a bit from their games, Ribanya, Shorty-Boom and Quack thought they would take a walk. A small stream flowed out of the lake, and the friends walked along it, happily discussing their recent adventures.
And suddenly keen-eyed Quack noticed that a very small bunny was floating down the river on some driftwood. He was so weak that, clinging to a small branch, he could barely hold on. Ahead, the river made a turn, so surely the branch would flip over, and the little bunny would certainly drown.
Without thinking twice, Quack flapped his wings, jumped into the water and quickly rushed straight to the unfortunate little bunny. Before the friends could even look around, the bunny was already on the shore.
All three began asking what had happened.
The wet and frightened little bunny told his story.
I was walking near the river, got distracted by a branch floating downstream, didn't notice and stumbled. Falling into the water, I managed to grab a branch that was passing by.
The little bunny told, sniffling.
Thank you! How wonderful that you, Quack, swim so fast.
Said the little bunny.
We're very glad you're safe. But always be careful near the water.
Quack answered for everyone.
The friends, waving with paw and wing, saw the bunny off into the bushes and, pleased, continued their walk.
But before they could turn the corner of the river, they saw an even more unexpected sight.
A huge bold raven was circling around a large burdock leaf that was stuck between two large stones. And in it, clinging with all his might with his little claws to the edge of the leaf, a small hedgehog was counting his last minutes.
The raven, flapping its huge wings, descended lower and lower. Any moment now and the black beast would snatch the little hedgehog.
Oh no, you don't!
Shorty-Boom's cry rang out. He ran up and simply jumped into the river like a cannonball. What happened next was incredible.
A cloud of spray that rose into the air simply washed the raven away. Everyone only managed to notice how it, all wet, scurried away, not even looking back.
And what about the little hedgehog? Well, he was carried away by a wave, as if on a water carriage, to a safe distance, where his friends met him. Another soul was saved! That's our Shorty-Boom for you!
The adventures continued!
The friends, discussing the little hippopotamus's pirouette, went to the final destination of their journey: a large tree that had once fallen into the water, and at that spot a large and deep pool had formed.
But when they approached the tree, they saw a small squirrel. She was crying loudly, clutching her little bundle.
What happened?
The friends asked eagerly.
I lost my key. My key to my little box, which I have in my tree hollow.
The squirrel answered, crying loudly through her tears.
In the box I have stored the most delicious nuts. What am I to do? Everything is lost!
How did you drop it?
I was playing near the tree and saw a pinecone right at the water's edge. I wanted to get it, but my bundle opened, and the key fell right into the water. I barely held on myself. Now I'm without a key and without my favorite nuts.
The squirrel cried louder and louder.
Calm down. Where did the key fall?
Asked Ribanya.
The squirrel, through her tears, pointed to a spot near the tree. The dark water suggested that the pool was very deep.
The little frog jumped high and entered the water vertically like a candle. Everyone watched, and the squirrel even gasped.
Only the branches of the tree, rustling in the wind, indicated that someone was there. Everyone froze and fixed their gaze on the spot where the frog had jumped. The circles slowly spread, and the water's surface became mirror-smooth again.
Where is your friend?
The squirrel asked cautiously!
He's here, everything will be fine.
Shorty-Boom reassured the squirrel.
Everyone exchanged glances and again began to stare intently at the water near the tree.
After quite some time had passed, suddenly a frog's little paw appeared above the water, and in the paw was the key!
Behind the paw appeared the satisfied little face of the frog with a smile as wide as could be!
Hurray!!!
Everyone shouted together: Shorty-Boom and Quack and the squirrel.
The friends rushed to embrace Ribanya, but the squirrel beat them all to it, nearly suffocating her rescuer.
It was time to say goodbye. The squirrel went to check her box with delicious nuts, and the friends, pleased, headed home.
Their joy knew no bounds, because each of them turned out to be the best. Their abilities helped the animals in trouble very much. And that's the best thing—when someone needs you and your help comes at just the right time.
