Once upon a time there lived three old bosom friends: Leshy, Domovoi and Vodyanoi.
Leshy — the master of the forest — kept order in his domain. People were wary of the forest spirit, although he never harmed people, but only punished them for bad behaviour in the forest.
Domovoi lived by the stove in a tall, beautiful house with columns, protected his master and watched over the entire household.
Vodyanoi — the tsar of water and rivers — dwelt in the deep pool of a lake. A shaggy old man, covered in slime and with a large belly, did not particularly like people.
One day they met and struck up a conversation about life.
I know everything about the forest down to the smallest detail.
Leshy said proudly.
I know where a new little tree has grown, what mushrooms grow beneath it, which clearing has plenty of berries. But, unfortunately, people come into my domain and do not care for it at all. If only you knew how many trees have been felled, rubbish left behind, animals and birds destroyed. They ought to be punished!
I agree!
Vodyanoi concurred.
All waste from towns and villages ends up in rivers and lakes. Fish die, all living things perish. People do not think that they are destroying themselves, for clean water is life!
I have to observe humans more than anyone else, so there is much that I do not like either. Children show disrespect to their elders, elders quarrel amongst themselves. There is no understanding, no love in families. Family is the most important thing in a person's life, yet they do not value it. They ought to be punished!
The friends became so engrossed in their conversation that they did not notice the girl who stood listening to them.
I agree with you, but you judge people very harshly!
The girl said.
Who are you? Where are you from? What are you doing here?
Leshy, Domovoi and Vodyanoi began asking questions in turn, interrupting one another.
I am Masha, a schoolgirl. Our whole class and our teacher came to plant bushes, collect dry branches and rubbish. At the entrance to the forest we hung a large poster saying that you cannot light fires. Last week we cleaned the lake shore of rubbish. Each of us cares for our home hearth. We are taught this at school. Do not punish people!
Domovoi was the kindest amongst friends.
Having wisely weighed everything, he said:
With such a good young generation, our Earth will be clean, strong and beautiful, and people will live in mutual understanding and love.
Leshy and Vodyanoi supported him. And together with people they began to adorn the Earth with their actions.
