In a small village called Horsebury there lived kind and cheerful little animals: Rosie the pig, Tyapa the dog, Zorka the cow, Be-Be the sheep and others. And the leader there was a horse named Vyuga. Vyuga was quite old and knew many wonderful stories about everything in the world.
One snowy winter evening all the animals gathered at Zorka's place. They drank herbal tea with warm oatmeal buns and chatted enthusiastically. Tyapa told about a lost treasure – a bone that she had hidden in the forest but could never find. The sheep Be-Be shared a secret dream: she wanted to ride on a white fluffy cloud, as she looked so much like one… Only old Vyuga remained silent.
Vyuga, – Rosie the pig addressed her, – tell us an interesting story, for you know so much!
A story? Hmm… What would you like to know? – the horse asked slowly.
Well, for example, something unusual about our little village! – exclaimed Zorka.
Very well. Pour yourselves more tea and listen, – Vyuga began her tale. – Long, long ago, when I was very small, a great bear attacked our village. He was evil, hungry and very strong. He bullied the little ones, broke houses, took food for himself. Hens, ducks, piglets, cows, horses – everyone hid from him deep in the forest. The village became deserted.
The poor little animals had nowhere to live. The nights grew colder and colder. Winter was approaching. The animals held a council to decide what to do next, how to live, how to drive the bear from the village. They lit a fire and thought and wondered all night long.
And in the early morning a beautiful black horse came upon that fire. This was my grandfather. He was returning to our village from service: as a foal he had been given to a soldier. For many years he travelled the world with that soldier, saw much and heard much.
Grandfather listened to the animals' complaints and offered to drive the bear away. But first he suggested building a den for the bear in the forest, so that he would never again think of robbing other people's homes or bullying the little ones.
But why did the black horse decide to build a house for the bear? After all, the bear had behaved so cruelly! – protested Zorka the cow.
Life is given for good deeds, – Vyuga continued, – my grandfather was very wise. He always said:
