You, mate, are not fashionable at all. Dull, grey! said the vixen to the wolf cub one day.
And what's fashionable, then? asked the wolf cub, puzzled.
Well, you're a proper numpty! the vixen laughed brightly. Don't you know any modern words?
I know words like «hello» and «please». Are those the kind you mean?
A hopeless case! the vixen said with a dramatic flick of her paws. But you're in luck: I'll take charge of your look!
My name? But everyone already calls me Wolfie.
You really do amaze me! the vixen said, rolling her clever little eyes. Look is «kit». You know, how you look!
Well, why didn't you just say so! First a name, then some kit… said the wolf cub, huffily.
The vixen brought out her fashion magazines and set about making over the wolf cub with great determination. But he, to be honest, did not want to change. He liked his grey coat, but he kept quiet, thinking that the ginger fashionista could not be wrong and knew better how he ought to look.
The makeover took the whole day. In between, the vixen taught the wolf cub some fashionable words.
Remember this, she said insistently, «kit» is your style and appearance, and «chilling» means relaxing.
Do we really have to say chilling? the wolf cub sighed. Couldn't I just say, «I'm relaxing»?
Silly, the vixen replied, that sounds far too plain. I only want what's good for you, and you'll be the most fashionable!
Vixen, the wolf cub tried to argue, but you don't talk like that yourself!
I don't need to! I'm already dazzling! Not everyone is as lucky with their coat as I am. But you need this. You're drab and grey, so at least you'll stand out!
The next day the wolf cub was unrecognisable. His fur had turned multicoloured – the vixen had done her best and dyed it in different colours. The helper couldn't choose just one shade, so the wolf cub looked like some fairy-tale creature with red, yellow, green, purple and even pink stripes.
And this character spoke very oddly, too. Many of the woodland creatures preferred to hide from him. The wolf cub wondered why his friends scattered in all directions when they spotted him.
He popped into the vegetable patch of the old rabbit – to say hello and try out his new words in conversation.
Cheers, Uncle Rabbit, what do you think of my new «kit»?
The rabbit was so surprised he dropped his spade and, blinking, said:
Sorry, I've got no ash for the fire, and I don't buy leeks.
I'm not selling leeks, I'm asking about my image, the wolf cub tried to explain.
Midge? the rabbit asked in surprise. I don't know any vegetables by that name!
They're not vegetables... It's…
Listen, young fellow, be off on your way, I don't understand you. You're a strange one! the rabbit finally snapped.
The wolf cub was a little upset, but then he thought: Uncle Rabbit is getting on, that's why he didn't understand. He should have a chat with one of his other friends. Then he spotted Little Mouse:
Cheers, Little Mouse!
The mouse looked at the wolf cub in bewilderment.
It's me, Wolfie!
Wolfie? You don't look a bit like you usually do.
Fashionable, isn't it? the wolf cub said with a smile.
More like strange, the mouse answered quietly.
The wolf cub decided to impress his friend with his new words. He wanted to invite her to the river, so he said:
Shall we go to the river for a chill?
Chilling, as the vixen had already explained, meant relaxing, but the mouse didn't know that! Tears began to shine in her eyes:
How mean you are, Wolfie! You know I'm allergic to pepper, especially such a hot one as chilli!
The wolf cub was at a loss: the mouse was sobbing, and he didn't even know how to calm her down.
Luckily, Auntie Owl happened to be flying past:
Children, what's happened? Wolfie, is that you? What on earth is this look?
It's the latest thing, said the wolf cub.
More like strange, the owl said sternly, and you, mouse, why are you crying?
He wanted to feed me chilli pepper, and he knows I'm allergic, some friend he is! Wah-wah…
I didn't want to feed you anything, the wolf cub said in bewilderment, I only invited you to the river to relax.
But you said it differently!
I said exactly the same thing: «Let's go and chill by the river». Those are modern, fashionable words.
Wolfie, the owl said sternly, the mouse doesn't know these words. And if I'm honest, neither do I. Where did you pick them up?
From fashion magazines, the wolf cub said sadly. Then he told them how the vixen had changed his look, and how he had talked to the old rabbit, who hadn't understood him.
The mouse stopped crying and began to giggle. The owl burst out laughing too:
Wolfie, do you actually like your new look? And these fashionable words?
Honestly, no, the wolf cub said, smiling too as he realised how silly he looked, I prefer my grey coat, and these words are beyond me. I keep mixing them up and forgetting what they mean.
The dye washed out after a couple of days, and the wolf cub was a wolf cub again. He speaks normally now too, because it's much nicer when people understand you.
Yes, my dear little ones, that's how it goes. It's a good thing we are all different. There's no need to become someone else, because everyone is unique!
