The little bear was born in autumn. Autumn changed the forest every day, and the little bear loved to watch how the leaves fell, how the grass turned yellow, how frost painted everything grey in the mornings.
Not long ago, beautiful curly trees stood all around, but now they had turned into long grey sticks. However, a colourful rustling carpet appeared under his feet, which was great fun to run across!
Where did it come from? ― wondered the little bear.
It was getting colder, and mum bear, telling her son about some unknown winter, tried to persuade him to eat well, to store up fat, so that he would fall into a deep sleep and sleep peacefully and sweetly for a long time.
The mother bear forced her son to eat to build up a layer of fat for hibernation, but the restless cub ran off to play and ate very poorly. He was wrong not to listen to his wise and experienced mum…
Winter arrived, and mother began to prepare the little bear for hibernation. Misha was very upset. Lying in the den for three whole months seemed like a waste of time to him, when there was so much interesting stuff around!
The mother bear knew that the little bear had not built up the necessary layer of fat for winter, so she held him as close to her as possible. This kept the little one warm. Finally, the bears fell asleep. Outside, a harsh winter raged with strong, biting frosts.
The hungry little bear woke up before his mum. He was terribly hungry and decided to look for food in the forest. He barely managed to climb out of the den, which was buried in snow. From the white colour and the sun, his eyes began to water. There was no food anywhere.
The little bear returned to the den and snuggled up to his sleeping mum. He warmed up, but he was still hungry. A whole month remained until spring. The little one became very sad and frightened.
Spring saw how hard it was for the little bear and decided to help him.
When the hungry little bear peeked out of the den once more, he saw a beautiful girl in a bright green dress, decorated with flowers and leaves, with a wreath of dandelions on her head.
The girl walked towards the little bear, and wherever she walked, the snow melted.
Who are you? ― asked the little bear in surprise.
I am Spring, ― answered the girl.
What does Spring mean? ― the curious little one persisted.
It is a season that comes after the cold winter. In spring it is warm. The snow melts, and nature wakes up.
Will my mum wake up too? I am so hungry!
But why didn't you listen to her? She tried her very best to prepare you for winter hibernation, but games were more important to you.
I won't do it again. Please, save me!
Very well, I will help you, but only this once. From now on, you must listen to your mum.
Spring removed her sunny shawl and wrapped it around the little bear. He warmed up instantly.
Spring twirled in the meadow, and the meadow became covered with juicy grass with flowers and berries. The little bear rushed at the food hungrily.
When he had eaten his fill, he thanked his saviour and returned to the den to his mum. He snuggled up to the mother bear again and slept through the last winter month. When spring arrived, they woke up.
Hurray, spring! ― cried the little bear joyfully, peeking out of the den.
Do you know what spring is? ― the mother bear was surprised.
Of course I do! It is the most wonderful time of year!
The little bear told his mum what had happened to him during the winter. He was ashamed of how foolishly he had behaved in autumn. He promised that from now on he would listen to the mother bear in everything.
And indeed, he became very obedient. Even when mum forbade him something, he didn't get upset or be naughty. Because he knew that the mother bear loved him very much and would never give him bad advice.
You must always listen to adults. They only want the best for their little ones.
