Once upon a time there lived a little girl called Masha. Together with her mum she often went to the shop for groceries and, passing by the toy department, would stop and gaze longingly at the beautiful dolls, the large construction sets and the soft toys.
And so, once again, when mum and daughter went to the shop, Masha saw a beautiful soft panda. It was enormous, black-and-white, fluffy, and seemed almost alive as it looked at Masha and smiled at her. Masha so wanted this marvel to live at her home, in her room. Especially as her birthday was coming soon, and this was exactly the present she so wanted to receive on her long-awaited magical holiday.
The girl began to cry and begged her mum to buy her this toy immediately. But mum had so many bags in her hands, and no money left after the shopping, so she promised her daughter that she would buy her this toy a little later, on Masha's birthday.
Coming home, the girl couldn't forget about the beautiful panda she had seen in the shop window.
Masha went up to her mum once more and said:
Mummy, couldn't we go right now and buy that wonderful toy? After all, tomorrow they might sell it to another girl, and then I'll be left without a present at all.
My sunshine, we will definitely buy you that panda when your birthday comes. Right now it's night-time, the shop is already closed.
Masha looked sadly at her mum and went to her room. And then Masha decided to go to the shop and buy the toy herself. Of course, she wouldn't go anywhere now — it was night outside — but tomorrow the girl would definitely think of something and set off for her dream to the children's toy shop.
Morning came, and mum took Masha to nursery. As usual, the children in the group spent the whole day learning to write, read and count, making various crafts and playing with toys. And then it was time for the afternoon nap. All the children put on their lovely pyjamas, folded their clothes on their chairs and lay down in their beds. Masha also settled down comfortably to fall asleep quickly, but the beautiful soft panda wouldn't leave her mind.
Without thinking long, and seeing that all the children were already fast asleep in their beds, Masha decided to quietly, unnoticed, slip out from under the blanket and set off for her dream to the toy shop. Slipping past the teacher unnoticed, the girl headed along the familiar road to the shop where she and her mum often went. Masha ran along the path for a long time, but still couldn't see that very counter with the pile of bright toys.
And then evening came. It became quite cold outside and almost dark. Masha got frightened and decided to return to the nursery after all, so she wouldn't be told off. But turning round, the girl realised she was lost. She hadn't seen any of the shops and other houses that surrounded her now before, so she didn't know which way to go.
Masha walked along, crying, and suddenly a granny came up to her and asked:
Little girl, why are you wandering about the street alone in the evening? Where's your mum?
I'm lost. I was looking for my favourite toy shop and must have walked past it. Now I don't know where to go.
Masha answered.
Let's sort this out. What's your name?
The granny asked.
Masha.
And who do you live with?
With my mum.
And do you go to school or nursery?
Yes, I go to nursery.
What's it called?
My nursery is called 'Little Strawberry', and our house with mum is very close by.
Well then, I know where that is. Come on, I'll take you to the nursery, and we'll sort things out there.
After some time Masha and the granny were already approaching the nursery. And suddenly Masha saw her mum, who was sitting on the porch crying bitterly.
Masha rushed to her and shouted loudly:
Mummy, darling, I'm here, don't cry!
Sweetheart, where have you been? I've been beside myself with worry!
The tearful mum answered, rushing towards Masha.
Mummy, I wanted that beautiful panda we saw in the shop so much that I decided to buy it for myself no matter what. I left the nursery by myself and set off for it, but got lost. This kind granny showed me the way and brought me here. It was so frightening outside, there were unfamiliar men and women all around, it became quite cold, and I thought I would never see you again! Mummy, I was so scared, please don't tell me off, I'll never do it again!
Mum hugged the girl and wiped away her tears. The next day they went to the shop together and bought that very panda that the girl had liked so much. From that day on, Masha never went outside without her mum's permission. She always held her hand and didn't run off.
And if Masha really wanted something very much, she would tell her mum about it, and they would go together for the toy she liked. The girl understood that if she ran off like that, one day she might get lost forever and never see her beloved mum and her friends from nursery, with whom she played so happily, again.
