Once upon a time there lived an old man and an old woman. They lived modestly and didn't indulge in luxuries. Their house was small, with ordinary furniture. Their only joy was a television—Grandmother watched her favourite serials whilst Grandfather watched football. One evening, whilst watching the news on television, Grandfather heard an interesting story. Apparently, in the city at the market, they were selling a wonder turnip that grows enormous and, when it ripens, grants wishes.
Grandmother, did you hear what they were saying on the telly?
Grandfather cried out upon hearing the news.
No, I didn't hear. What was it?
Grandmother asked lazily.
Apparently, in the city at the market they're selling a wonder turnip that grows to enormous size and can grant wishes!
Grandfather told her excitedly.
We must go to the market, buy some seeds and plant loads of them. Then we'll be able to make lots and lots of wishes, and they'll all come true.
My goodness, what marvels! Can such things really happen?
Grandmother wondered.
It's the twenty-first century, old girl, all sorts of things happen!
Grandfather replied quickly and began to prepare.
We'll go to the city in the morning and find the seeds for this turnip.
Morning came. Grandfather and Grandmother climbed into their old Opel, which took ten attempts to start, and set off for the wonder turnip. They drove for a long time, stopping along the way, and finally arrived. They parked their old banger near the market and set off to search.
Excuse me, could you tell us where we might find wonder turnip seeds?
They asked the market sellers at each stall.
There were no seeds anywhere, and only one young lad quietly asked:
Do you need turnip seeds?
Yes, but we need wonder turnip seeds, not ordinary ones.
Grandfather replied.
I have some left—five seeds. Will you take them?
Of course!
Grandfather and Grandmother were delighted.
Placing the seeds in the safest spot, Grandfather and Grandmother set off home. After ten attempts, they got their Opel started and after several hours finally arrived.
The next morning came. Grandfather and Grandmother rose early, went to the garden, dug the beds and planted five seeds.
Time passed, but the turnip wouldn't grow.
Grandfather and Grandmother walked around it, muttering:
That market seller cheated us!
And suddenly, after many days, a little shoot broke through the soil. It grew so quickly that within a week the wonder turnip had grown enormous.
Well then, Grandmother, I suppose we ought to pull it up?
Grandfather suggested.
Oh, I don't know, are we not rushing? Perhaps we should wait a bit longer?
Grandmother replied.
And so they decided to wait.
Every day Grandfather watered the turnip and whispered under his breath:
Grow, turnip, grow enormous, grow huge!
After several more days, Grandfather decided to pull the turnip from the ground. He and Grandmother came to the garden and pulled, but they couldn't manage it.
What a task!
Sighed the weary Grandfather.
How are we to pull it out?
Perhaps we should ask someone for help?
Grandmother asked.
We can't let it grow here much longer. I've made a wish, and it needs to grant it quickly.
Grandfather and Grandmother thought for a long time, and decided to call their neighbour for help. They pulled together, but still couldn't manage it.
Why don't I call my son?
The neighbour asked.
Perhaps he can help us?
The son came, assessed the situation, and said:
We won't manage this. We need to ask for help from stronger creatures—the forest animals. They'll have more strength, look here, and they'll help us pull it out.
Since the neighbour's son worked as a forester, he had connections with the animals. He went into the forest for help and brought back a bear. They all pulled together, the bear at the front. He roared and waved his paw, but they still couldn't manage it.
Then the bear suggested calling the wolf—he's also considered the strongest animal in the forest, perhaps together they'd manage.
The wolf came, scattered everyone with his howling and said:
I don't need your help, you weaklings. Now I'll show you how to pull out a turnip.
He hooked the top with his tail, howled and pulled with all his might… But it didn't work, he just fell to the ground and hit his nose.
I know who can help us!
After resting, the wolf suddenly remembered.
Let's call the fox, my friend. She's cunning, clever and resourceful, perhaps she can help us. The wolf went off for the fox, and on the way told her that they couldn't manage this wonder turnip together.
The wolf and fox ran down the road, and the fox thought:
I can't let Grandmother and Grandfather get this turnip! I must keep it for myself and make my own wish!
Of course, the fox didn't tell anyone her thoughts, and pretended she was trying very hard to pull out the turnip.
Night fell, and Grandmother and Grandfather let all the animals stay the night so they could start pulling out the wonder turnip early the next morning. They put the fox on a feather bed to make her comfortable, the wolf settled in an armchair in the corridor, curled up like a bun, and the bear sprawled on the floor beside him.
Everyone fell asleep, but the fox stayed awake. A brilliant plan had formed in her head. The fox took her telephone, dialled the emergency services number, and called the rescue team. A whole brigade arrived with an enormous tractor that dug up the turnip in just one minute. They loaded the turnip onto a trailer and took it to the fox's home.
In the morning, Grandmother and Grandfather woke up, woke the wolf and bear, and went to the garden—but the turnip was gone.
And so the fox deceived Grandmother and Grandfather and took the wonder turnip for herself. But it turned out the turnip wasn't magical at all, just an ordinary one. Or perhaps the turnip only grants wishes to those who are kind and honest?
