In a very dense forest, on the edge of a bright clearing that stretched around a small lake, cheerful mischievous cries of three close friends echoed.
A little hippopotamus, whom everyone called Shorty-Boom because of his chubby appearance and short little legs.
A frog named Fishfrog, because he felt as comfortable in the lake as a fish in water.
And a drake named Quack, because he always quacked loudly when he was very happy.
The friends always loved to gather on the shore of the clearing, because on clear sunny days it was very cozy there. The sun warmed the sand and water. Shorty-Boom, burrowing into the wet warm sand, basked in the rays of the gentle sun.
Through half-open eyelids, he watched as Fishfrog showed Quack another pirouette. Jumping from a branch into the water, the little frog performed such tricks that Quack couldn't stop laughing continuously.
All three friends felt incredibly good, so they enjoyed life.
One day, during one of the next games invented by the restless little frog, they needed to reach the other shore of the lake. The little frog, jumping high, disappeared into the water. You could see how he quickly, moving his little legs, rushed to the other shore.
Quack only quacked in surprise, but calmly landing on the water's surface, with a few powerful strokes of his legs overtook Fishfrog and watched with cunning as he was only getting out onto the shore, breathing heavily.
Well, you're something!
That's all the little frog could say.
Well, I'm the best swimmer on this lake!
The drake answered proudly.
Both friends watched with sympathy as Shorty-Boom reached the shore, snorting and raising clouds of spray.
The friends wondered who among them was the best at water activities. It was clear that Quack was the fastest swimmer, but was that enough?
And then the smart little frog suggested:
So, we need to diversify our competition! Let's check who among us dives the best!
Shorty-Boom dived first. His large body disappeared under the water, but after some time a head with large nostrils and eyes popped out from under the water.
That's it, I'm done, I can't anymore.
Quack disappeared under the water second. More time passed, and suddenly almost in the middle of the lake his cute little head appeared. In his beak, Quack held a branch of seaweed.
Now it's my turn!
Fishfrog croaked across the entire lake and dove under the water like a swallow. Time passed. The surface of the lake had long since calmed down, but there was no sign of Fishfrog.
The friends became worried, started running along the shore of the lake, calling the little frog. In response, only the rustling of reeds was heard. The worry grew. Quack and Shorty-Boom were genuinely frightened.
And then they saw their friend emerge from under the water with a smile across his entire frog face!
Hurray!!!! I won!
It echoed across the entire lake! Yes—Fishfrog proved himself worthy.
Just as the friends caught their breath, the little frog suggested another test. They needed to find out who could jump into the water the loudest.
Quack volunteered first. Running up and flapping his wings loudly, the drake fell into the water.
Well, that's something!
Said Fishfrog and immediately, spreading out, splashed into the water with a loud slap.
Quack appreciated his efforts. The friends began to discuss who had made more spray.
However, at that moment a wave simply swept them into the reeds: such a thunderous crash rang out on the clearing that all the birds in the area flew up.
Well, little ones, learn from this!
Shorty-Boom answered sarcastically to his two wet friends, who were peering out of the reeds in bewilderment!
All three friends were very pleased with themselves, because each of them won in one category, becoming the best.
Deciding to rest a bit from the games, Fishfrog, Shorty-Boom and Quack thought they would take a walk. A small river flowed out of the lake, and the friends walked along it, happily discussing their recent adventures.
And suddenly sharp-eyed Quack noticed that a very small bunny was floating down the river on some driftwood. He was so weak that, clinging to a small branch, he could barely hold on. Ahead, the river made a turn, so the branch would surely flip over, and the little bunny would definitely drown.
Without hesitation, Quack flapped his wings, jumped into the water and quickly rushed straight to the unfortunate little bunny. Before the friends could even look around, the bunny was already on the shore.
All three began asking what had happened.
The wet and frightened little bunny told his story.
I was walking near the river, got distracted by a branch floating downstream, didn't notice and stumbled. Falling into the water, I managed to grab onto a branch that was passing by.
The little bunny told, sniffling.
Thank you! How wonderful that you, Quack, swim so fast.
Said the little bunny.
We're very glad you're safe. But always be careful near the water.
Quack answered for everyone.
The friends, waving with paw and wing, saw off the bunny who disappeared into the bushes and, pleased, continued their walk.
But before they rounded the bend in the river, they saw an even more unexpected sight.
A huge impudent raven was circling around a large burdock leaf that was wedged between two large stones. And in it, clinging with all his might with his little claws to the edge of the leaf, a small hedgehog was counting his last minutes.
The raven, flapping its huge wings, descended lower and lower. Any moment now and the black beast would grab the little hedgehog.
Oh no!
Shorty-Boom's cry rang out. He ran up and simply jumped into the river like a bomb. What happened next was incredible.
A cloud of spray that rose into the air simply swept the raven away. Everyone only managed to notice how it, all wet, scurried away, not even looking back.
And what about the little hedgehog? Well, he, as if on a water carriage, was carried by a wave to a safe distance, where his friends met him. Another soul was saved! That's Shorty-Boom for you!
The adventures continued!
The friends, discussing the little hippopotamus's pirouette, went to the final destination of their journey: a large tree that had once fallen into the water, and at that spot a large and deep pool had formed.
But when they approached the tree, they saw a small squirrel. She was crying loudly, clutching her bundle.
What happened?
The friends asked eagerly.
I lost my key. My key to my little box, which I have in my tree hollow.
The squirrel answered, crying loudly through her tears.
In the box I have the most delicious nuts stored. What should I do? Everything is lost!
How did you drop it?
I was playing near the tree and saw a pinecone right at the water's edge. I wanted to get it, but my bundle opened, and the key fell right into the water. I barely held on myself. Now I'm without a key and without my favorite nuts.
The squirrel cried louder and louder.
Calm down. Where did the key fall?
Asked Fishfrog.
The squirrel, bursting into tears, pointed to the spot near the tree. The dark water suggested that the pool was very deep.
The little frog jumped high and entered the water vertically like a candle. Everyone watched, and the squirrel even gasped.
Only the branches of the tree, rustling in the wind, indicated that someone was there. Everyone froze and fixed their gaze on the spot where the frog had jumped. The circles slowly spread, and the water's surface became mirror-smooth again.
Where is your friend?
The squirrel asked cautiously!
He's here, everything will be fine.
Shorty-Boom reassured the squirrel.
Everyone looked at each other and again began to stare at the water near the tree.
More time passed, when suddenly a little frog's paw appeared above the water, and in the paw was the key!
Behind the paw appeared the satisfied face of the frog with a smile across his entire width!
Hurray!!!
Everyone shouted together: both Shorty-Boom and Quack and the squirrel.
The friends rushed to embrace Fishfrog, but the squirrel beat them all, nearly strangling her rescuer.
It was time to say goodbye. The squirrel went to check her box with delicious nuts, and the friends, pleased, set off home.
Their joy knew no bounds, because each of them turned out to be the best. Their abilities helped the animals in trouble very much. And that's the best thing—when someone needs you and your help comes at just the right time.
