Once upon a time there lived a Cornflower in a field. It was very beautiful, for its petals were as blue as the sky itself. Early in the morning it would wake up, open its eyes, smile at the sun, breathe in the fresh air and give everyone around it its delicate fragrance. But the moment came when it had to let its seeds go out into the world on their own.
A gentle breeze blew, and the little seeds scattered in all directions. One tiny seed flew far, far away, fell into the stream water, and floated on...
The seed floated along the current for quite some time until it caught on a twig lying on the bank.
I really like this place, the soil here is good.
Thought the future Cornflower.
But there's so much rubbish here! What should I do?
There was no other choice. It put down its roots into the earth and began to grow. Time passed, and the Cornflower became a beauty. And one day two giggling friends, Masha and Dasha, were out for a walk when they spotted the Cornflower.
Oh, look how pretty it is, if I tuck it into my hair, it will look so lovely!
Masha said with delight.
The Cornflower was terrified, hung its head and trembled with fear.
Why pick it? No, don't. Let it bloom and bring joy to everyone with its beauty. Look how much rubbish is here. I suggest we clean it up, clear the place, and then come here and admire the little flower.
Said Dasha.
I'm all for it, let's get to work.
Masha supported her friend.
The girls, singing a little song, collected all the rubbish. And there was plenty of it: tins, bottles, papers... Although the girls were small, they weren't afraid of the work and tidied everything up. How the meadow blossomed!
Thank you so much for your care.
Said the Cornflower.
But the girls didn't hear him, because he was speaking in his flower language, which people cannot hear.
In high spirits, Masha and Dasha headed home. They had done a good deed, cleaning Nature of rubbish.
But suddenly, out of nowhere, appeared the Old Forest Keeper, the master of the forest. He lives in every forest, but especially loves the pine forests. The old man was dressed like a person: in a red sash, with the left side of his kaftan tucked behind the right. His shoes were mixed up: the left bast shoe on his right foot, and the right one on his left. His eyes were green, green, glowing like embers. But there was such sadness in his eyes!
Hello, grandfather.
The girls greeted him.
Why are you so sad? What's happened?
The master of the forest told the friends how clean and beautiful the forest used to be. Birds and animals lived in it, many flowers and berries grew. But people don't value the beauty of the forest, they litter and don't clean up after themselves.
I suppose I'll have to move to another, cleaner forest, far from my native place, just so I don't have to see how people are destroying Nature.
Explained the Old Forest Keeper sadly.
Don't be upset, we'll think of something.
The girls supported the Old Man. They looked around and realised that the two of them couldn't handle this problem alone. The work was far too much.
What if we ask the whole class to come and fight the rubbish in the forest?
Masha thought aloud.
That's right, let's call everyone to help, let's organise a working bee!
Dasha supported her friend again.
On one of the weekends, the children went to the forest to clean it of rubbish. It wasn't an easy task they had undertaken, but no one gave up or lost heart. After all, they were already almost grown up and understood what a good deed they were doing for their planet. After finishing the work, the schoolchildren hung up drawn posters that warned that rubbish should not be left in the forest.
And the Old Man watched from the side, and he was so pleased and happy that he couldn't help but sing a little song:
They've called me Leshy since I was small.
I respect all the beasts and birds of all.
In my domain, every bush I know.
I guard my native forest with care's glow.
A fairy tale is a lie, but it holds a hint, a lesson for all good folk, I'm convinced! Let this tale be a good example for everyone. Let everyone take up the fight against rubbish, for the world is suffocating from it.
Don't litter and Nature itself will say to you: "Thank you so much, friends!"
