In a large city there lived a little car called Vzhik. She lived in a spacious garage situated on a well-maintained plot of land, right next to a house.
Every morning Vzhik would wake up early, drive her uncle to work, and on weekends they would simply travel about.
But Vzhik's dream was a simple drive through the forest.
After a working week, as he was putting the car in the garage, her uncle said:
Tomorrow you can spend the day as you wish. I'm not going anywhere, you're completely free, you can go wherever you like.
Waking with the first rays of sunshine, happy Vzhik rushed off to meet new adventures. Driving through the city streets, past multi-storey buildings, colourful shop windows, squares and parks, she found herself outside the city, on a wide road, almost without noticing.
All the while her favourite little song kept running through her head:
I'm driving, driving far away,
driving at the wheel,
Together with you
I'm singing a song.
Vzhik drove further and further away from the city. To the left of the road she saw a large field with a working combine harvester. Having passed a small village with houses quite unlike those in the city, she approached the forest.
The forest greeted her with tall, straight trees, bright green grass and beautiful bird song.
How quiet and peaceful it was in the forest! The sun had already risen high, but there was no heat in the car's interior. The tree leaves protected the little car from the hot rays of the sun, creating shade. She didn't even notice how she was humming along with the birds…
Driving past a huge dry tree stump, she spotted a clearing full of white mushrooms. Without hesitation, Vzhik began collecting them in her boot.
Oh, there are so many of them! These are little orange chanterelles.
Further on she found several birch boletes and aspen boletes. There were more and more mushrooms. On her way the little car came across a clearing with wild strawberries, she had a snack, rested and decided to head back.
But having driven deep into the forest, Vzhik couldn't find the road by which she had come in. She was lost. Pressing her horn several times in a row, Vzhik hoped that someone would hear her and come to help.
What am I to do? It's already getting dark, I'll probably have to spend the night in the forest.
The little car thought sadly.
Vzhik spotted a small clearing nearby, chose a spot under a birch tree and began to settle in comfortably.
Suddenly she heard someone crying. Vzhik listened carefully.
That was it, someone nearby was definitely crying. The little car drove towards the sound and saw a small girl sitting on a tree stump.
Hello! What's happened, why are you alone and crying?
Asked the little car.
I got so absorbed in gathering mushrooms that I got lost.
The girl answered, still crying.
Well, I've found myself in exactly the same situation.
Said Vzhik.
Let's introduce ourselves.
I'm Lola.
The child answered, still sniffling.
And my name is Vzhik. Come with me quickly, I think there's going to be a downpour. Let's go, I've found a nice spot under a birch tree. We'll wait out the bad weather there, sleep, and tomorrow with fresh strength we'll find the way home.
Lola jumped into the car, and they sheltered from the rain under the tree.
Raindrops pattered on the roof of the car. To this little song, tired out, the girl and Vzhik didn't notice how they fell asleep.
So they slept through the whole night.
Early in the morning, somewhere very close by, the sound of a working engine could be heard.
Quickly, quickly.
Vzhik bustled about.
I think there's a tractor working nearby. It will help us figure out how to get out of the forest.
The friends in misfortune immediately set off towards the sound… And indeed, just about three hundred metres away, an old tractor was working.
Good morning.
Said the friends.
And good health to you.
The tractor answered, surprised.
We got lost, we had to spend the night, could you help us get out of here.
The little car asked politely.
No problem at all, of course I'll help. Drive along this forest track, don't turn off anywhere, you'll reach a large spreading oak tree, turn right, then turn right again, then keep going straight ahead, and you'll come out onto the main road.
The tractor explained to them.
Is it really that simple?
Lola was delighted.
Thank you ever so much. Goodbye!
Vzhik thanked them and she and the girl set off home.
All the best.
The old tractor called after them.
Following the tractor's advice, they quickly found the road and drove onto the main highway.
Vzhik took Lola home to the village, and she herself headed for the city.
Her home city welcomed her with the same bright sunshine, only fast white clouds drifted across the sky. The little car sped along the road and, remembering the little forest, the clearing, the mushrooms, the girl Lola, the rain and the old tractor, she was the happiest! What a wonderful way she had spent her day off!
