In a kingdom far, far away, beyond seven mountains, there grew an enchanted forest. Everything there was magical: the plants and the animals. Each morning, dew glistened on the grass in the rays of the sun. Birds sang clear songs, and after a warm rain, a bright rainbow appeared in the sky. The forest's inhabitants kept it clean and protected it from ill-wishers as best they could.
And there was another forest. Animals and birds lived there too, but drearily and joylessly. The forest was full of rubbish, and everyone was often ill.
One day, the king of the dreary forest—the grey wolf—fell seriously ill. He became sorrowful and howled long and loudly because of it. At the sound of his howling, the forest fell silent, and its inhabitants were afraid to leave their homes. The wolf's sadness wouldn't let go, and he decided to call the animals to a council.
Foxes, rabbits with hedgehogs, beavers, snakes, and various birds gathered at the forest edge.
My illness is no accident: I live without joy, — said the wolf, looking at everyone. — I've heard rumours that not far from us there is an enchanted forest, and there one can find a real rainbow. A magpie used to say that if you sit on a rainbow, you can become happy and healthy. I can't get there myself; I've no strength left because of my illness. And the guards won't let me in anyway. If only one of you would steal that rainbow for me! Then I'd get better right away!
The animals listened to the grey wolf and were afraid to contradict him.
Caw! — said the raven, sitting on a pine branch. — Interesting business. But I have questions. How are we to steal this rainbow if we don't know where it lives? The forest is large. And who would go on such a task?
The animals lowered their eyes. They stood trembling with fear, knowing that one of them would be sent on a bad errand. And they couldn't refuse the king!
So be it! Here is my decree! — continued the wolf. — You, raven, will fly to the enchanted forest first and distract the guards with your 'caw-caw'. You, snake, will crawl there in the meantime and find out where the rainbow lives. And you, spiders, start weaving nets, and plenty of them. You'll wrap the rainbow in them and bring it to me.
Early in the morning, the raven and snake set off to the enchanted forest. The raven perched on a branch above the guards and began to caw: 'Caw-caw-caw! Caw-caw-caw! Caw-caw-caw!'.
What are you cawing about there, you silly thing? — asked the guard-bear. — It seems to me you've come to no good. What, tired of the mess in your own forest and decided to make a mess here?
No, — replied the raven, — I was flying past and decided to rest in a beautiful place. I have no bad thoughts. I'm curious, bear, why is your forest so cosy? Perhaps you know a secret and would share it?
Oh, you've made me laugh, raven! — laughed the bear. — There's only one secret here: wherever you live, you clean up after yourself. The forest is our home. This means everyone must pick up their rubbish and treat what surrounds us with care.
The raven remembered the secret and headed home, and forgot all about the snake. Meanwhile, the snake crawled into the depths of the wonder-forest, but found no rainbow anywhere. Instead, she met the hedgehog guards.
Snake, you're not from these parts, what do you want? — the hedgehogs asked the snake sternly.
It's well known that hedgehogs quickly deal with snakes. Out of fear, the snake immediately confessed why she'd been sent.
Hedgehogs! Little brothers! Spare me, don't destroy me! The grey wolf sent me—the king of the dreary forest. He wants to know where the rainbow lives and steal it. He's been ill for a long time and can't get better.
Crawl home and tell the grey wolf to clean up his forest. Perhaps then he'll have his own rainbow. Cleanliness and order—that's the secret to joy and health. And we won't give our rainbow to anyone! — answered the hedgehogs.
Meanwhile, the raven flew back to the dreary forest and found the grey wolf.
Wolf, oh Wolf! I've discovered the secret of our neighbours, — blurted out the raven, — it's cleanliness! Praise me, king, and give me a reward!
Ugh, you silly bird! — said the wolf sadly. — Why did I send you to the wonder-forest? To tell me about cleanliness? Off with you! Out of my sight!
The king threw a dry branch at the raven and even shouted: 'Silly thing!'. After some time, the snake crawled to him.
Wolf, ruler of our forest! I didn't find out where the rainbow lives. They hide it well. But I did discover the secret of joy, health and happiness. It's cleanliness!
What am I to do with you? — sighed the wolf. He didn't even have the strength to bare his teeth. — It seems you and the raven have conspired to deceive me, and you weren't even in the neighbouring forest. A secret about cleanliness, no less. Couldn't you think of anything cleverer? The spiders are weaving nets for nothing.
And the raven, offended by the grey wolf, was already flying about the dreary forest telling everyone about the secret of the enchanted forest. The animals decided to check if the bird was telling the truth. They all gathered together for a general clean-up.
They worked on tidying up for a long time, almost until winter—there was so much rubbish! White snow covered the clean forest, and the rainbow still didn't appear. The birds flew to warmer lands, the hedgehogs and snakes settled down for winter hibernation. Nature rested and gathered its strength.
Spring came, and the snow melted. The inhabitants of the dreary forest emerged from their burrows and gasped: how beautiful and clean everything was around them!
We didn't work in vain before hibernation! — chattered the animals excitedly. They smiled, enjoyed the freshness and sunshine, and joy reigned everywhere. And after a warm spring rain, a long-awaited bright rainbow appeared over the dreary forest. The wolf saw it and was delighted.
What beauty all around: a clear stream, a rainbow, and flowers! It turns out our neighbours were right. Cleanliness—that's what we needed! Our forest is no longer dreary! — he said with admiration.
And hard work helps with everything! — added the hedgehogs running past.
Now our forest has become enchanted too! — sang the birds cheerfully and loudly in the trees.
