This story took place in the Ural forest.
It happened during the coldest and snowiest winter. Moose were walking through the forest. At the front was the leader ― the oldest and most resilient. He was tramping a path through deep snowdrifts. In the middle of the herd were two cow moose with little calves.
A cold wind blew and snow began to fall. The gusts grew stronger and stronger, and a terrible blizzard swirled around them.
The leader said that soon there would be a clearing where everyone should lie down in a large snowdrift. That way it would be warmer ― they could wait out the bad weather.
When the moose reached the clearing, a pack of hungry wolves appeared. The moose, in fright, scattered in different directions. A struggle began with the hungry predators.
One mother moose pushed her calf forward with her forehead and urged him to run: "Little one, move your legs faster, we need to leave the edge of the forest and hide from the wolves in the woods, get lost among the pines and spruces".
Go into the forest, and I will fight off the wolf! He's almost caught us! ― she suddenly cried out…
Not far from this clearing, on the edge of the forest, stood a sturdy log cabin with barns. In the cabin lived an old forester with his wife.
Granny, tomorrow the grandchildren will arrive for winter holidays, ― said the forester, sitting at the table and sipping fragrant herbal tea.
It will be fun with them!… Look what a blizzard has started up, ― replied his wife, looking out the window.
I'll go to the station on the mare in the morning to meet them, ― said grandfather.
Better on the snowmobile, ― suggested the mistress of the house.
You're right. Why torture the mare in such snow. Better on the snowmobile.
I'll prepare a fur coat and felt boots, just in case the grandchildren get cold. They're city children after all: they don't wear fur coats or felt boots.
Early in the morning the forester took the snowmobile and went to the station. Suddenly he sees: not far from the road there's a strange snowdrift ― it's moving. The forester stopped and approached the snowdrift. He looks, and there's a little moose calf lying there. Frozen, shivering.
Oh, you poor thing... Where is your mother? ― sighed grandfather. He looked around and noticed blood on some of the trees here and there.
The wolves attacked. I wonder if your mother is alive or if the wolves got her? I'll have to go back, I can't leave you here.
The forester wrapped the moose calf in a fur coat, tied it with ropes to the snowmobile and slowly drove back.
Granny, I've brought you a gift, ― he said, entering the cabin. ― Here it is!
Oh my goodness! A moose calf! We need to warm it up and give it warm milk to drink. You go quickly or you'll miss the train. I'll take care of everything.
The forester met his grandchildren ― ten-year-old Lera and Lyonya ― and came home.
Granny, granny, is that a calf you have? Did Burenka bring a calf? ― asked the children, seeing the animal.
No, Burenka will become a mother in spring, but this is a moose calf. Grandfather found it in the forest this morning.
Grandfather, where are his parents? ― wondered Lera and Lyonya.
I don't know if his mother is alive. Wolves apparently attacked the moose last night. The herd scattered in different directions. And the little one got lost, separated from his mother, ― answered grandfather.
Maybe she was protecting him from the wolf, ― added grandmother, ― and died herself…
Oh, how sad, ― said Lera, almost in tears.
No, she's alive. Don't whine! ― said grandfather, looking reproachfully at grandmother. ― There was a blizzard all night, so the little one got lost.
But how will the mother moose find him now? ― asked Lyonya.
She'll find him, ― answered grandmother. ― I warmed him up and gave him warm milk. When it gets warmer outside, I'll let him out to play in the pen with the goats. And the moose will find him by scent. Wash your hands and sit down at the table, I've made pancakes. And then you'll go with grandfather to take the moose calf to the pen.
What else will we do today? ― asked Lyonya with interest.
What else! I need to check the property and make sure everything is in order. Do you want to come with me? And after lunch we'll go skiing, ― offered the forester.
Grandfather, do you check your lands every day? ― pressed the grandson.
Twice a day: morning and evening.
Will we decorate the Christmas tree? ― asked Lera, distracted from her pancakes.
I'll go to the forest right now and bring one back, ― answered grandfather.
I'm coming with you! ― said the grandson eagerly.
And I'll help grandmother, ― offered the girl and began clearing the dishes. ― And then we'll decorate the tree.
Granddaughter, I'll give you some chopped vegetables. Take them to the goats, and maybe the moose calf will eat some too, ― said grandmother, getting up from her chair.
Granny, what if the mother moose doesn't come back? Will the moose calf stay with us? ― squeaked the granddaughter.
Probably.
Let's give him a name.
We can, we can. Think!
Losya. Let's call him Losya. We don't know if it's a girl or a boy. And this name will suit anyone.
Oh, what an imaginative one you are! ― laughed grandmother.
A day passed. Losya settled in and played with the goats in the pen.
Early in the morning, a mother moose came out of the forest, limping slowly. She approached the pen and called out loudly to her calf.
A-a-a-e-e-e, a-a-a-e-e-e! Little one, I found you!
Ma-ma-a-a, ― answered Losya.
In the forester's cabin they heard the roar. The dog barked loudly. Everyone ran outside.
The moose is exhausted, she's wounded, ― said the forester anxiously, buttoning his coat as he went, ― I can see that from a distance.
As the people ran to the pen, the moose collapsed to the ground.
We need to call the veterinarian, ― said the man with concern.
Is she dead? ― the girl was frightened.
What will we do with her now? ― asked the boy quietly, standing at attention. ― For meat?
No, no! We'll drag her into the pen and treat her, feed her, ― answered grandmother.
We'll carry her to the barn with Burenka, there's plenty of space and it's warm, ― added grandfather.
Granny, grandfather, will we treat the moose and the calf?! ― said Lyonya excitedly. ― That's brilliant! I'll write an essay at school about winter holidays. All my classmates will be amazed!
You just want to brag and show off, ― giggled the sister.
When they get better, they'll go back to the forest. We won't keep them here, ― decided the forester.
The veterinarian came in the evening. He said the wolves had badly mauled the moose.
I'm amazed she survived. She must have really wanted to find her calf. It looks like we'll have guests until spring, ― said grandfather, entering the cabin. ― Well, granny, we certainly won't be bored now.
Grandfather laughed.
Hurray! Losya will live here until spring. We'll come visit you during spring holidays too, ― said the granddaughter happily. ― Will they heal the moose?
Of course, we have a knowledgeable veterinarian.
