In the village of Dubrovskoye lived a cat nicknamed Mischief. He was given this name because more than anything in the world, he loved to misbehave, play tricks on everyone, and spend long hours playing in the yard. Mischief also loved to eat well and nap on the green grass in the garden.
The cat's best friend was his owner, a boy named Kolya Knotkin. He was a small boy who lived with his mum and dad in a house on the edge of the village near a dense forest. The friends spent a lot of time together. They played in the garden and yard, and went into the forest. Mischief loved to pick berries, and Kolya loved to pick mushrooms.
But everything changed when the boy started at his village school in Year 1. He was a diligent pupil. There was less time for games with his pet. The cat felt hurt by Kolya and missed him very much when the boy was in lessons.
Kolya explained to his friend that studying was very important and that everyone should learn. But Mischief said that he got on perfectly well without studying.
Yes, I can't read, count or write. I don't need any of that! — the fluffy cat meowed glumly.
You're wrong about that! Would you like me to help you study? — Kolya said again and again.
No, I don't want to! — Mischief answered stubbornly.
After such conversations, the cat would run off to play in the yard, or more often, into the forest. There he had another friend — a young rabbit named Floppy. The friends loved to run along forest paths, smell the flowers, chase bright butterflies, and lie in the shade under a fir tree.
One day Mischief ran into the forest but couldn't find the young rabbit. He waited for him on the forest clearing for a very long time. When they finally met, the cat learned that Floppy, like Kolya, had become a pupil. He goes to school.
Is there a school in the forest? — the cat asked the rabbit.
Of course! Our Forest School, — the friend answered proudly.
But why do you need to study? — Mischief persisted.
It's my dream! — answered Floppy. — You need to be able to read well. After all, you can learn so many interesting things from books. For example, about distant countries, seas and oceans, about exotic animals living far, far away. I'm very curious!
Mischief thought seriously, because both his friends now went to school. And only he alone was not a pupil.
Floppy, I'm not a forest dweller. But perhaps they would accept me into the Forest School too?
Of course! We'll sit at the same desk and study together! I'm so pleased!
The cat said nothing to Kolya and kept it all a secret. Every morning the boy went to his school, and Mischief went to his. He really enjoyed studying. At Forest School the cat made new friends.
Time passed. Mischief learned to read, count and write. He was a diligent pupil. Now the cat could study interesting books. He especially loved fairy tales.
Kolya's birthday arrived. In the morning the boy received a birthday greeting from Mischief by email. Kolya couldn't believe his eyes. The boy thought someone was playing a trick on him. But then the cat came into the room with a large bunch of flowers that he had picked in the forest together with Floppy. Mischief revealed his secret to Kolya. Their faces shone with joy. Now their friendship became even stronger.
Mischief's favourite activity became reading fairy tales together with Kolya. In those moments, both were absolutely happy.
