Once upon a time, there lived a Cornflower in the field. It was very beautiful, with petals as blue as the sky itself. Early in the morning, it would wake up, open its little eyes, smile at the sun, breathe in the fresh air, and share its delicate fragrance with everyone around. But the moment came when it had to release its seeds into the world.
A gentle breeze blew, and the little seeds scattered in all directions. One tiny seed flew far, far away, fell into a stream, and floated along...
The seed drifted along the current for quite some time until it caught on a branch lying on the shore.
I really like this place; the soil here is good.
Thought the future Cornflower.
But there's so much trash here! What should I do?
There was no other choice. It sent its roots into the earth and began to grow. Time passed, and the Cornflower became a beauty. One day, two giggling girlfriends, Masha and Dasha, were taking a walk when they spotted the Cornflower.
Oh, look how pretty it is! If I put it in my hair, it will look so beautiful!
Masha said excitedly.
The Cornflower got frightened, hung its head, and trembled with fear.
Why pick it? We shouldn't. Let it bloom and bring joy to everyone with its beauty. Look at all this trash here. I suggest we clean it up and clear the area, and then we can come back and admire the flower.
Said Dasha.
I'm all for it. Let's get to work.
Masha supported her friend.
The girls, humming a little song, collected all the trash. And there was plenty of it: cans, bottles, papers... Although the girls were small, they weren't afraid of the work and cleaned everything up. How the meadow blossomed!
Thank you so much for your care.
Said the Cornflower.
But the girls didn't hear him, because he was speaking in his flower language, which people cannot hear.
In high spirits, Masha and Dasha headed home. They had done a good deed by cleaning nature of its trash.
But suddenly, out of nowhere, appeared the Old Forest Keeper, the master of the forest. He lives in every forest, but especially loves the spruce forests. The old man was dressed like a person: in a red sash, with the left side of his caftan tucked behind the right. His shoes were mixed up: the left bast shoe on his right foot, and the right one on his left. His eyes were green, green, glowing like hot coals. But there was such sadness in those eyes!
Hello, grandfather.
The girls greeted him.
Why are you so sad? What happened?
The forest keeper told the girlfriends how clean and beautiful the forest used to be. Birds and animals lived in it, and many flowers and berries grew there. But people don't appreciate the forest's beauty; they litter and don't clean up after themselves.
I suppose I'll have to move to another clean forest, far from my home, just so I don't have to see how people destroy Nature.
The Old Forest Keeper explained sadly.
Don't be upset. We'll think of something.
The girls supported the Old Keeper. They looked around and realized that the two of them couldn't handle this problem alone. The work was just too much.
What if we ask the whole class to come help fight the trash in the forest?
Masha thought aloud.
Exactly! Let's call everyone to help. We'll organize a community cleanup!
Dasha supported her friend again.
On one of the weekend days, the children went to the forest to clean it of trash. It wasn't an easy task they had taken on, but no one gave up or lost heart. After all, they were almost grown up and understood what a good deed they were doing for their planet. After finishing the work, the schoolchildren hung up drawn posters that warned people not to leave trash in the forest.
And the Old Keeper watched from the side, and he was so pleased and joyful that he couldn't help but sing a little song:
They've called me Leshy since I was small.
I respect all the animals and birds.
Every bush in my domain I know.
I vigilantly protect my native forest.
A fairy tale is a lie, but it holds a lesson for good people! Let this tale be a good example for everyone. Let each person join the fight against trash, for the world is suffocating from it.
Don't litter, and Nature itself will say to you: "Thank you so much, friends!"
