Once upon a time there lived a little girl named Masha. Together with her mum, she often went to the store for groceries, and passing by the toy department, she would stop and gaze at the beautiful dolls, large construction sets, and stuffed animals.
And so, once again, when mum and daughter went to the store, Masha saw a beautiful stuffed panda. It was huge, black and white, fluffy, and seemed to look at Masha as if alive and smile at her. Masha so wanted this wonder to live at her home, in her room. Especially since her birthday was coming soon, and this was exactly the gift she so wanted to receive for her long-awaited magical holiday.
The girl began to cry and begged her mum to buy her this toy immediately. But mum had so many bags in her hands, and no money left after shopping, so she promised her daughter that she would buy her this toy a bit later, on Masha's birthday.
Coming home, the girl couldn't forget about the beautiful panda she had seen in the store window.
Masha approached her mum once more and said:
Mummy, couldn't we go right now and buy that wonderful toy? After all, tomorrow they might sell it to another girl, and then I'll be left without a present at all.
My sunshine, we'll definitely buy you that panda when your birthday comes. Right now it's night-time, the store is already closed.
Masha looked at her mum sadly and went to her room. And then Masha decided to go to the store and buy the toy herself. Of course, she wouldn't go anywhere now—it was night outside—but tomorrow the girl would definitely think of something and set off for her dream to the children's toy store.
Morning came, and mum took Masha to daycare. As usual, the children in the group spent the whole day learning to write, read, count, making various crafts and playing with toys. And then came time for the afternoon nap. All the children put on their lovely pyjamas, folded their clothes on chairs, and lay down in their beds. Masha also settled in comfortably to fall asleep quickly, but the beautiful stuffed panda wouldn't leave her mind.
Without thinking long, and seeing that all the children were already fast asleep in their beds, Masha decided to quietly, unnoticed, slip out from under the blanket and set off for her dream to the toy store. Sneaking past the teacher unnoticed, the girl headed along the familiar road to the store where she and her mum often went. Masha ran along the path for a long time, but couldn't see that very counter with a pile of bright toys.
And then evening came, it became quite cold outside and almost dark. Masha got frightened and decided to return to daycare after all, so she wouldn't get in trouble. But turning around, the girl realized she was lost. She hadn't seen any of the stores and other buildings that surrounded her now before, so she didn't know which way to go.
Masha walked along, crying, and suddenly a grandmother approached her and asked:
Little girl, why are you wandering the streets alone in the evening? Where's your mum?
I'm lost. I was looking for my favourite toy store, and I must have walked past it. Now I don't know where to go.
Masha answered.
Let's sort this out. What's your name?
The grandmother asked.
Masha.
And who do you live with?
With my mum.
And do you go to school or daycare?
Yes, I go to daycare.
What's it called?
My daycare is called "Strawberry," and our house with mum is very close by.
Well then, I know where that is. Come along, I'll take you to daycare, and we'll sort things out there.
After some time, Masha and the grandmother were already approaching the daycare. And suddenly Masha saw her mum, who was sitting on the porch crying bitterly.
Masha rushed to her and shouted loudly:
Mummy, darling, I'm here, don't cry!
Sweetheart, where have you been? I've been beside myself with worry!
The tearful mum answered, rushing towards Masha.
Mummy, I wanted that beautiful panda we saw in the store so badly that I decided to buy it for myself no matter what. I left daycare on my own and set off for it, but I got lost. This kind grandmother showed me the way and brought me here. It was so scary outside, unfamiliar men and women all around, it got really cold, and I thought I'd never see you again! Mummy, I was so frightened, please don't be cross with me, I'll never do it again!
Mum hugged the girl and wiped away her tears. The next day they went to the store together and bought that very panda the girl had liked so much. From that day on, Masha never went outside without her mum's permission, she always held her hand and didn't run off.
And if Masha really wanted something badly, she would tell her mum about it, and they would go together for the toy she fancied. The girl understood that if she ran off like that, one day she might get lost forever and never see her beloved mum and her friends from daycare, with whom she played so happily, again.
