In one forest lived two best friends — Chipmunk Charlie and Raccoon Freddy. The friends had been inseparable since childhood, they always helped each other in difficult moments and cared for one another.
The forest where the friends lived was the most beautiful among all in the area, there were so many interesting and beautiful trees, and in summer, when everything around turned green, wonderful bright flowers bloomed in the meadows.
Charlie and Freddy often came here to play and admire the incredible beauty, bringing along various treats and toys. One beautiful summer day, when the bright sun was shining outside and birds were singing their beautiful songs all around, the friends decided to have fun in the flower meadow again.
They took from home all the most delicious things — nuts, berries, seeds and other delicacies. Each of them had their own little house, and each decorated it as they wished.
The doorstep of the house where Charlie lived was decorated with various twigs that looked like crafts made from colorful paper. All the forest creatures even came to look at this beauty. Freddy pasted beautiful patterns made of leaves on the windows of his house, he knew how to make very beautiful collages. The friends often visited each other and had a very fun time together.
And so, arriving at the flower meadow, Charlie and Freddy spread out their mat, made from willow twigs, on the warm green grass, laid out the food and began to run and play. Right in the middle of the meadow stood a tall tree, and our friends loved to climb to the very top to see all the secluded spots in the forest, all the burrows and houses of their neighbors and all the clearings where they could go to play.
Charlie: Come on, catch up with me! I'm almost at the very top already.
Freddy exclaimed.
The tree was very tall, and if you looked down from the very top, the friends' paws sometimes even trembled with fear. But still, it was very interesting for them to compete to see who would reach the highest branch first.
Freddy, how do you always climb to the top so fast? Are you eating something special that gives you so much strength?
Charlie asked.
Ha-ha-ha! Well, you're funny! You're just a weakling, and I'm strong, that's all!
Raccoon Freddy laughed.
The chipmunk frowned, he always did that when he was offended. Every time the friends played games where they had to climb or run somewhere, Freddy won, and always laughed at the slow chipmunk.
But you know I was just joking! You're doing great, and I'm deliberately encouraging you so you move faster! You're my best friend, and I'll never love anyone else as much as I love you! Let me not say that anymore, I really don't like it when you get offended!
Charlie gave Freddy his paw and helped him climb to the very top.
And suddenly, when the friends settled on the very edge and the strongest branch, they heard a strange sound "chr-chr-chr".
Who's there???
Charlie got scared.
Who else is sitting here besides us? Where are you hiding?
Freddy shouted.
From behind the leaves that covered the tree trunk, a small red face suddenly appeared. First a small nose appeared, and then eyes and ears.
Hi! My name is Scarlet, and I live here now.
The new resident of the tree suddenly exclaimed unexpectedly loudly. It was a squirrel, with a fluffy fiery-red tail and a fluffy black chest.
Well, well! You scared us so much we almost fell off the branches.
Charlie said with a loud sigh.
Please forgive me, I didn't mean to scare you at all. It's just that I'm new here, I don't know anyone, so I didn't show myself to you right away. You know what? Let's be friends? I know so many different interesting games, we'll never be bored. Come visit me often, and I'll treat you to sweets.
Scarlet babbled and hugged her new forest friends.
From then on, the little animals began to play and walk together, ran around the flower meadow, gathered berries and seeds together, and were happy.
Once Charlie, Freddy and Scarlet decided to go to the river together. Scarlet took with her a small raft that she had made herself, and the boys brought various treats.
Arriving at the river, Scarlet sat on the raft and said:
Only two can fit here. Decide for yourselves who will float down the river with me, and I'll wash up in the meantime.
Me, of course, me!
Charlie shouted.
Why you? I want to too!
Freddy protested.
You know, Scarlet! You're my best friend now, so you should let me on the raft!
Charlie insisted.
What about me? I also want to be friends and play with you, Scarlet. Charlie doesn't have as many wonderful and interesting games, and with you it's always fun and interesting!
Freddy shouted.
The little animals began to argue among themselves and, in the end, both rushed onto the raft. Crashing onto it simultaneously, the raft suddenly broke into two parts and floated in different directions.
Well, you've ruined everything!
Scarlet shouted.
She waved her fluffy tail and quickly hopped home.
And Charlie and Freddy turned away from each other and went to their houses.
Winter came, and it became very cold in the forest. White fluffy snow fell, in such a layer that even the bushes were not visible. One day Charlie decided to go outside from his house, he decided to collect new twigs to decorate his home. Having collected everything necessary, the chipmunk was about to go home, it was already getting dark outside, and he didn't want to wander through the dark thickets.
But approaching his house he fell in amazement — instead of his house, a huge tree lay on the ground, which had fallen right on the roof from the wind. Charlie burst into tears, because now he had nowhere to live, and it was so cold outside. And then he remembered his new best friend who lived in the meadow at the top of the biggest tree in the forest. He set off to see her.
Squirrel, it's me, Charlie! Let me in, my house was crushed by a tree, and now I have nowhere to live! We're friends, aren't we!
As if! If I let you in, there'll be very little space left for me, and I'll have to share my food with you. No, I won't let you in. Go and build yourself a new home, I don't want to live with you!
Charlie heard a completely unexpected answer.
Confused by such a terrible answer, Charlie sobbed, so loudly that Freddy heard. The raccoon's house was not far from the meadow where Scarlet lived.
He rushed to the sound, and running to the place, asked:
What happened, Charlie? You're crying so loudly that I can hear it even at my house!
Freddy? Aren't you mad at me? We quarreled, I thought you wouldn't want to see me anymore! I don't have a house anymore, it was covered by a huge tree, and now I have nowhere to go.
The chipmunk cried.
Freddy lifted Charlie from the cold snowy ground and they headed home to the raccoon's place.
You know, Charlie, I thought about it and decided that I never had, don't have, and never will have a better friend than you. Stay and live here, together we'll be happier, and we'll gather food together!
Freddy sobbed with happiness.
From then on, the chipmunk and raccoon never parted. They understood that you can't betray your best and loyal friends, you must always help each other, care for one another and never quarrel.
Free fairy tales — this is a real and very good textbook for children and adults. These stories teach us to live in kindness and care.
