A baby was born into a family of blue lorries. Compared to his parents, he was quite a small blue lorry. Dad transported large loads, and Mum was just as busy, with people trusting her with their important heavy purchases. Time passed, and the little lorry Tyoma grew, wanting each day to become bigger and more grown-up. "Then people will surely trust me with important purchases!" He often stood in front of the mirror:
Mum, Mummy, when will I grow up?
Don't rush, son, everything in its own time.
That's all right for you to say, people trust you with furniture and other things, but not me… — sighed Tyoma.
Mum always smiled at this:
It's our actions that make us big, not the size of our cargo bed, like mine or Dad's!
But Tyoma couldn't understand how actions could do that – would they make the wheels bigger or perhaps the cargo bed grow?
Then one summer's day, Tyoma was given an important task: to deliver building blocks to the nursery. Proud and delighted, he set off to complete the task, but the road to his destination was closed for roadworks, and he would have to take a detour, losing a whole extra hour! Tyoma was so upset he nearly cried, but then he remembered another route, through a small wood. He might only lose a couple of minutes, and he'd end up right in front of the nursery.
Driving along the forest path was pure pleasure on such a hot day, but the little lorry had an important task and decided not to get distracted, when suddenly a young squirrel jumped out in front of him.
It's a good thing I wasn't going fast, I've slowed down – why did you jump into the road? — Tyoma began to scold the squirrel.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I've lost my mum! — and the little one cried.
Tyoma was in a hurry, of course, but he couldn't leave the squirrel.
Don't cry, we'll find your mum, get in the cab, and I'll sound my horn, then she'll hear us quicker.
The squirrel stopped crying and looked out of the cab with interest – when else would he get a ride! And Tyoma honked his horn with all his might, which caught the attention of a magpie:
What's all this noise, are you causing trouble?
No, Auntie Magpie, we're looking for the squirrel's mum, he's lost!
Ah… — said the curious bird, — Then I'll help you look too.
A squirrel is looking for his mum! A squirrel is looking for his mum! A squirrel is looking for his mum! — she chattered non-stop, flying through the wood.
Where, where is my baby? — the mother squirrel appeared and was right next to her little rascal.
Thank you, my dear! — the mother squirrel carefully kissed the little lorry.
Please, don't mention it — squeaked the now red lorry weakly, this happened when he was very embarrassed.
After saying goodbye to his new friends, Tyoma hurried on his way, it wouldn't do to be late for such an important task! He hadn't gone far when he heard a groan.
The lorry stopped and listened carefully, the sound was very faint. Tyoma began to examine the road carefully and then saw a young frog with a large branch pinning him down, and the poor thing could barely breathe.
Poor thing, I'll help you now! — Tyoma carefully moved the branch, — Are you all right?
After lying still for a couple of minutes, the frog was already hopping about next to the lorry:
Ribbit-ribbit, thank you, my friend! Would you like to hear the cheerful songs of my frog friends?
I'd love to, but only next time, I'm terribly in a hurry! Goodbye, little frog!
Goodbye, lorry!
With all his forest adventures, Tyoma forgot about the time, and he was thirty minutes late! The nursery teacher was waiting for him at the entrance.
Tyoma, Tyoma, — she said sternly, — I thought you were a responsible lorry, to be this late!
And the blue lorry turned red again, only this time from shame.
I'll have to tell your parents that you're too small to carry even such loads!
Wait, don't scold him, it's not his fault! — the squirrel and young squirrel were already hurrying towards the teacher and the lorry, and the young frog too, the magpie had brought them.
They all talked over each other telling what had happened on the forest path. The nursery teacher listened without interrupting, with great interest, and Tyoma… He felt just like a chameleon, turning now red, now blue, all his feelings mixed up – on the one hand he was ashamed of being late, but on the other he was embarrassed that the forest creatures were praising him so much, when he hadn't really done anything special, he'd just helped!
I'm sorry, Tyoma, — said the nursery teacher, — I didn't know you had such important reasons. Your parents are very lucky to have such a kind and caring son!
At home, his parents looked at their son the lorry with pride (the nursery teacher had told them everything), as he stood in front of the mirror.
And Mum the lorry, wiping tears of joy from her headlights, said:
Tyomochka, how big you've grown!
Tyoma looked at his reflection in surprise – it seemed just the same, the cargo bed, the wheels, what had changed? And then the little lorry remembered his mum's words, that it's our actions that make us big!
