In a very dense 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 Fishfrog, because she felt as comfortable in the lake as a fish in water.
And a drake named Quack, because he always quacked loudly whenever he was very happy.
The friends always loved to gather on the shore of the clearing, as on clear sunny days it was very cosy here. The sun warmed the sand and the water. Shorty-Boom, having buried himself in the wet warm sand, basked in the rays of the gentle sun.
Through half-open eyelids he watched as Fishfrog showed Quack yet another pirouette. Jumping from a twig 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 he quickly, moving his little legs, 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 legs overtook Fishfrog and watched with a sly grin as he was only just getting out onto the shore, breathing heavily.
Well, you're something!
Was all the little frog could manage to say.
Well, I'm the best swimmer on this lake!
The drake answered proudly.
Both friends watched with sympathy as Shorty-Boom made his way to 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:
Right then, we need to vary our competition! Let's see who of us can dive 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 do any more.
Quack disappeared under the water second. More time passed, and suddenly almost in the middle of the lake his pretty little head appeared. In his beak Quack held a sprig of seaweed.
Now it's my turn!
Fishfrog croaked across the entire lake and like a swallow disappeared under the water. Time passed. The surface of the lake had long since calmed down, but there was no sign of Fishfrog whatsoever.
The friends became worried, started running along the shore of the lake, calling the little frog. In response came only the rustling of reeds. Worry grew. Quack and Shorty-Boom became genuinely frightened.
And then they saw their friend emerge from under the water with a smile across his entire frog face!
Hurray!!!! I won!
Rang out across the entire lake! Yes—Fishfrog proved to be up to the task.
The friends had barely caught their breath when the little frog suggested another test. They needed to find out who could jump into the water the loudest.
Quack volunteered first. Having built up speed and flapping his wings loudly, the drake fell into the water.
Not bad!
Said Fishfrog and immediately, spreading himself out, splashed down with a loud slap into the water.
Quack appreciated his efforts. The friends began discussing who had made more spray.
However, at that moment a wave simply swept them into the reeds: a crash of such force rang out across the clearing that all the birds in the area took flight.
Well then, you little ones, learn from this!
Shorty-Boom answered sarcastically to his two wet friends, who were peering out bewilderedly from the reeds!
All three friends turned out to be very pleased with themselves, because each of them had won in one category, becoming the best.
Deciding to rest a bit from their games, Fishfrog, Shorty-Boom and Quack thought they would take a walk. A small stream flowed out of the lake, and so the friends walked along it, cheerfully discussing their recent adventures.
And suddenly keen-eyed Quack noticed that a very small young hare 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 the branch would surely tip over, and the little hare would certainly drown.
Without thinking twice, Quack flapped his wings, jumped into the water and quickly rushed straight to the unfortunate little hare. Before the friends could blink, the hare was already on the shore.
All three began asking one after another what had happened.
The soaked and frightened little hare told his story.
I was walking near the river, got distracted by a twig floating downstream, didn't notice and stumbled. Falling into the water, I managed to grab a branch that was floating past.
The little hare recounted, sniffling.
Thank you! How wonderful that you Quack swim so fast.
Said the little hare.
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 respectively, saw the hare disappear into the bushes and, pleased, continued their walk.
But before they had gone around the bend in the river, they saw an even more unexpected sight.
A huge impudent raven was circling around a large burdock leaf that was wedged between two large stones. And in it, gripping the edge of the leaf with all his might with his little claws, a small hedgehog was counting his last minutes.
The raven, flapping its enormous wings, was descending lower and lower. Any moment now and the black beast would snatch the little hedgehog.
Oh no you don't!
Came the cry of Shorty-Boom. He built up speed and simply cannonballed into the river. What happened next was incredible.
A cloud of spray that rose into the air simply swept the raven out of sight. Everyone only managed to notice how the completely soaked bird flew off in a hurry, not even looking back.
And what about the little hedgehog? Well, he, as if on a water carriage, was carried by the wave to a safe distance, where his friends met him. Another soul had been saved! That's 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 bundle.
What's happened?
The friends began asking one after another.
I've lost my key. My key to my little box, which I have in my tree hollow.
Through tears, the squirrel answered loudly sobbing.
In the box I have the most delicious nuts stored. What am I to do? Everything is lost!
How did you drop it?
I was playing near the tree and saw a little cone right at the water's edge. I wanted to get it, but my bundle came open, and the key fell straight into the water. I barely held on myself. Now I'm without my key and without my favourite nuts.
The squirrel cried louder and louder.
Don't worry. Where did the key fall?
Asked Fishfrog.
The squirrel, bursting into 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 intently, 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 out, 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 looked at each other and again began to stare intently at the water near the tree.
More time passed, when suddenly a little frog's paw appeared above the water, and in the paw was the key!
Behind the paw appeared the frog's pleased little face with a smile stretching across its entire width!
Hurray!!!
Everyone shouted together: both Shorty-Boom and Quack and the squirrel.
The friends rushed into Fishfrog's embrace, but the squirrel beat them all to it, nearly squeezing her rescuer to death.
It was time to say goodbye. The squirrel went to check her box with delicious nuts, and the friends, pleased, set off home.
Their joy knew no bounds, because each of them turned out to be the best. Their skills had greatly helped the little animals in trouble. And that's the very best thing—when someone needs you and your help comes at just the right time.
