Once upon a time there lived an old grandfather and grandmother. They lived modestly, never indulging in luxuries. Their house was small, their furniture ordinary. Their only joy was a television—Grandmother watched her soap operas while Grandfather watched football. One evening, while the news was on, Grandfather heard an interesting story. Apparently, in the city at the market, they were selling a wonder-turnip that grows enormous and, when it ripens, grants wishes.
Grandmother, did you hear what they said on the news?
Grandfather called out excitedly.
No, I didn't. What is it?
Grandmother asked lazily.
They're selling a wonder-turnip at the market in the city! It grows to enormous size and can grant wishes!
Grandfather told her with admiration.
We need to go to the market, buy seeds, and plant a whole bunch of them. Then we can make many wishes, and they'll all come true!
My goodness! Does such a thing really exist?
Grandmother wondered.
It's the 21st century, old woman—many things are possible!
Grandfather answered quickly and began to prepare.
We'll go to the city in the morning and find the seeds for this turnip.
Morning came. Grandfather and Grandmother climbed into their old Opel, which took ten tries to start, and drove off to find the wonder-turnip. They drove for a long time with stops, and finally arrived. They parked their old jalopy near the market and set off searching.
Excuse me, could you tell us where we can find the wonder-turnip?
They asked every vendor at every stall.
Nowhere could they find the seeds, until one young man quietly asked:
Do you need a turnip?
Yes, but we need seeds for a wonder-turnip, not an ordinary one.
Grandfather replied.
I have some—five seeds left. Will you take them?
Of course!
Grandfather and Grandmother were delighted.
Placing the seeds in the safest spot, Grandfather and Grandmother headed home. After ten tries, they got their Opel started and after several hours finally arrived.
The next morning came. Grandfather and Grandmother woke early, went to the garden, dug up the beds, and planted all five seeds.
Time passed, but the turnip wouldn't grow.
Grandfather and Grandmother walked around it, muttering:
That vendor at the market cheated us!
And suddenly, after many days, a little sprout broke through the soil. It grew so quickly that within a week the wonder-turnip had grown enormous.
Well, Grandmother, I suppose we should pull it out now?
Grandfather suggested.
Oh, I don't know—are we in a hurry? Maybe we should wait a bit longer?
Grandmother replied.
And so they decided to wait.
Every day Grandfather watered the turnip and whispered under his breath:
Grow, turnip, grow enormous and mighty!
After several more days, Grandfather decided to pull the turnip from the ground. He and Grandmother went to the garden and pulled, but they couldn't manage it.
What a task!
Sighed the tired Grandfather.
How will we ever pull it out?
Maybe we should ask someone for help?
Grandmother asked.
We can't let it grow here too long. I made a wish, and it needs to grant it quickly.
Grandfather and Grandmother thought for a long time, then decided to call their neighbor for help. They pulled together, but still couldn't manage it.
Why don't I call my son?
The neighbor asked.
Maybe he can help us?
The son came, assessed the situation, and said:
We won't manage this. We need to ask for help from stronger beings—the forest animals. They have more strength; maybe they can help us pull it out.
Since the neighbor's son worked as a forester, he had connections with the animals. He went into the forest for help and brought back a bear. They all pulled together, with the bear leading. He roared and waved his paws, but they still couldn't pull it out.
Then the bear suggested calling the wolf—he was also considered the strongest animal in the forest, and maybe together they could do it.
The wolf arrived, howled everyone into silence, and said:
I don't need your help—you're all weaklings. Now I'll show you how to pull out a turnip.
He grabbed the top with his tail, howled, and pulled with all his might... but it didn't work. He just fell to the ground and hit his nose.
I know who can help us!
After resting, the wolf suddenly remembered.
Let's call the fox, my friend. She's clever and resourceful; maybe she can help us. The wolf went to get the fox, and on the way told her that they all together couldn't manage this wonder-turnip.
The wolf and fox ran down the road together, and the fox thought:
The grandmother and grandfather can't have this turnip! I must keep it for myself and make my own wish!
Of course, the fox didn't tell anyone her thoughts and pretended to try very hard to pull out the turnip.
Night fell, and Grandmother and Grandfather let all the animals stay the night so they could start pulling the wonder-turnip early the next morning. They put the fox on a soft bed to be comfortable, the wolf settled in an armchair in the hallway, curled up like a ball, and the bear sprawled on the floor next to him.
Everyone fell asleep, but the fox stayed awake. A brilliant plan had formed in her mind. The fox took her phone, called the emergency services, and summoned the rescue team. A whole brigade arrived with an enormous tractor that dug up the turnip in just one minute. They loaded it onto a trailer and took it to the fox's house.
In the morning, Grandmother and Grandfather woke up, woke the wolf and bear, and went to the garden—but the turnip was gone.
And so the fox deceived Grandmother and Grandfather and took the wonder-turnip for herself. But it turned out the turnip wasn't magical at all—just an ordinary one. Or perhaps the turnip only grants wishes to those who are kind and honest?
