In a taiga forest beneath an old large oak tree, in a small and cosy den, lived a bear cub. The animals affectionately called him Mishutka. Because of his thick and glossy fur, he looked like a plush toy, and a white triangle on his chest gave him a noble appearance.
And what a terrible sweet-toothed creature he was! He was always munching raspberries, constantly smacking his lips and washing them down with sticky honey. When he was just a tiny thing, his mother the she-bear would often treat him to this delicacy, and afterwards his paws would become sticky and fragrant.
With his mother, Mishutka was always cheerful and calm. But one day hunters came to their forest. Loud gunshots frightened the bear cub and made him curl up into a ball in the deepest part of the den.
Don't go anywhere, wait for me here! ― his mother the she-bear ordered strictly.
Then she pressed him tightly against herself with her large furry paw for a few moments, growled mournfully and, sighing heavily, let him go. The bear cub only saw how she quickly bounded off in the direction from which the gunshots were coming.
Soon everything fell silent. Mishutka calmed down and began patiently waiting for his mother. But she never returned...
That evening he wandered through the forest for a long time, hoping to find her. But he only met a disgruntled hedgehog, who reluctantly crawled out of his burrow and looked at him in surprise with sleepy, frequently blinking eyes.
Bear cub, why are you making such a racket through the whole forest?! You won't let me sleep! ― the hedgehog protested.
I've lost my mother, ― answered the bewildered Mishutka, sniffling, ― and I'm lost too.
Come on, I'll take you to your den. I know where it is! ― the hedgehog offered helpfully, already shuffling along on his little legs down a narrow path leading deep into the forest.
From that moment on, the bear cub and the hedgehog became inseparable friends. They played and had fun all day long, and then, tired out, they would go to the den and together sip fragrant tea with jam or honey. Mishutka loved his friend and affectionately called him Puff because his tiny black nose was constantly whistling and snuffling.
Hey, are you home? ― came the hedgehog's voice one early spring morning.
Yes, Puff, come in! ― the bear cub replied happily, half asleep.
The hedgehog rolled into the den, nimbly unrolled himself from his ball and, blinking frequently with his black bead-like eyes, exclaimed enthusiastically:
Look quick at what I found at the loggers' camp!
The bear cub froze for a moment at the sight, and a gleam appeared in his eyes. In the hedgehog's paws was nothing other than a tin of open condensed milk.
Mishutka, you hide it for now! I'll come in the evening, and we'll have tea with it. But I haven't got time now, I need to rush off to gather mushrooms, look how many have sprung up after the rain!
The bear cub could hardly wait for evening. He brewed his favourite linden tea with raspberries, carefully placed the tin of condensed milk in the middle of the table and patiently began to wait...
The tea had already gone cold and it had been dark for a long time, but the hedgehog still hadn't returned. He had gathered so many mushrooms that day, almost enough for the whole winter.
And Mishutka couldn't sleep, tossed and turned from side to side and kept scolding himself:
Why did I have to smell it, now I can't forget that smell! Just one more little sniff, what's the harm...
The bear cub took out the hidden tin, timidly opened the lid and... couldn't help himself: his paw treacherously reached out for the treat all on its own.
In the morning, a pleased hedgehog appeared. A smile didn't leave his little face, he was all anticipation of the sweet treat.
Mishutka, I didn't manage to come to you yesterday. Forgive me. I hope you didn't try the condensed milk without me?
The bear cub didn't know what to say to his friend. He guiltily lowered his eyes and shrank back, so much so that his little plush ears pressed against his cheeks.
I thought we were friends, ― Puff mumbled in confusion and, snuffling loudly, quickly rolled out of the den.
The bear cub watched the fleeing hedgehog for a long time. And then a thought came to him that made him feel both joyful and terrified at the same time. But Mishutka couldn't lose his friend, so he quickly made a decision.
His little heart was beating so hard that his paws kept slipping off the path. With quick bounds, he headed in the direction from which the loud sound of axes could be heard.
The loggers spotted the uninvited guest from far away and fell silent. The frightened little one stopped quite close to them and, rising slightly on his hind legs, tried to growl menacingly. But from fear, the plush-like brave one's throat seemed to tighten, and the roar came out sounding more like a moan.
Well, my friend, you've come back? ― one of the workers called out affectionately to the bear.
We know, we know, who pinched our condensed milk. You liked it, didn't you? Well, come here then, since you've come. We'll treat you again!
And the loggers brought out a new tin of condensed milk from their van. Carefully opening it with a penknife, they cautiously placed it under a spruce tree not far from the bear cub and began to watch what would happen. Mishutka, without thinking twice, quickly grabbed it in his teeth and with confident bounds headed towards the hedgehog's home.
Mishutka, I still can't understand how you weren't frightened? ― the hedgehog mused, sipping fragrant raspberry and blackberry tea and carefully dipping his paw into the condensed milk.
You know, Puff, I don't know myself how it happened. I just really wanted to sit here next to you again and drink our favourite tea...
To be continued…
