This story took place in the Ural forest.
It happened during the coldest and snowiest winter. Moose were walking through the forest. At the front was the leader—the oldest and most enduring. He was tramping a path through deep snowdrifts. In the middle of the herd were two mother moose with small calves.
A cold wind blew and snow began to fall. The gusts grew stronger, and a terrible blizzard swirled around them.
The leader said that soon there would be a clearing where everyone should lie down in a large snowdrift. That way it would be warmer—they could wait out the bad weather.
When the moose reached the clearing, a pack of hungry wolves appeared. The moose, frightened, scattered in different directions. A struggle began with the hungry predators.
One mother moose pushed her calf with her forehead and urged him to run: "Little one, move your legs faster, we need to leave the edge and hide from the wolves in the forest, get lost among the pines and spruces."
Go into the forest, and I'll fight off the wolf! He's almost caught us!" she suddenly cried out...
Not far from this clearing, on the edge of the forest, stood a sturdy log cabin with outbuildings. In the cabin lived an old forester with his wife.
Grandma, tomorrow the grandchildren arrive for winter vacation," said the forester, sitting at the table and sipping fragrant herbal tea.
It will be fun with them!... Look what a blizzard has started," answered his wife, looking out the window.
I'll go to the station in the morning on horseback to meet them," said the grandfather.
Better on the snowmobile," suggested the mistress of the house.
You're right. Why torture the horse in such snow? Better on the snowmobile.
I'll prepare a fur coat and felt boots, just in case the grandchildren get cold. They're city kids after all: they don't wear fur coats or felt boots.
Early in the morning the forester took the snowmobile and went to the station. Suddenly he sees: not far from the road there's a strange snowdrift—it's moving. The forester stopped and approached the snowdrift. He looks, and there's a little moose calf lying there. Frozen, shivering.
Oh, you poor thing... Where's your mother?" sighed the grandfather. He looked around and noticed blood on some of the trees.
Wolves attacked. I wonder if your mother is alive or if the wolves killed her? I'll have to go back, I can't leave you here.
The forester wrapped the moose calf in a fur coat, tied it with ropes to the snowmobile, and slowly drove back.
Grandma, I brought you a gift," he said, entering the cabin. "Here it is!"
Oh my! A moose calf! We need to warm him up and give him warm milk to drink. You go quickly, or you'll be late for the train. I'll take care of everything.
The forester met his grandchildren—ten-year-old Lera and Lenia—and came home.
Grandma, grandma, is that a calf? Did Burenka have a calf?" asked the children, seeing the animal.
No, Burenka will become a mother in spring, but this is a moose calf. Grandfather found him in the forest this morning.
Grandfather, where are his parents?" asked Lera and Lenia in surprise.
I don't know if his mother is alive. Wolves apparently attacked the moose last night. The herd scattered in different directions. The little one got lost, separated from his mother," answered grandfather.
Maybe she was protecting him from the wolf," added grandmother, "and she herself perished..."
Oh, how sad," said Lera, almost crying.
No, she's alive. Don't cry!" said grandfather, giving grandmother a reproachful look. "There was a blizzard all night, so the little one got lost."
But how will his mother moose find him now?" asked Lenia.
She'll find him," answered grandmother. "I warmed him up and gave him warm milk. When it gets warmer outside, I'll let him out to play in the pen with the goats. The moose will find him by scent. Wash your hands and come to the table, I've made pancakes. Then you'll go with grandfather to take the calf to the pen."
What else will we do today?" asked Lenia with interest.
What else! I need to check on the property, see if everything is in order. Want to come with me? And after lunch we'll go skiing," offered the forester.
Grandfather, do you check your lands every day?" asked the grandson.
Twice a day: morning and evening.
Will we decorate the Christmas tree?" asked Lera, distracted from her pancakes.
I'll go to the forest right now and bring one back," answered grandfather.
I'm coming with you!" said the grandson eagerly.
And I'll help grandmother," offered the girl, and began clearing the dishes. "Then we'll decorate the tree."
Granddaughter, I'll give you some cut vegetables. Take them to the goats, and the calf might eat some too," said grandmother, getting up from her chair.
Grandma, what if the mother moose doesn't show up? Will the calf stay with us?" squeaked the granddaughter.
Probably.
Let's give him a name.
Yes, we can do that. Think!
Losya. Let's call him Losya. We don't know if it's a girl or a boy. And this name works for anyone.
Oh, you're such an inventor!" laughed grandmother.
A day passed. Losya settled in and played with the goats in the pen.
Early in the morning, a mother moose came limping slowly out of the forest. She approached the pen and called loudly to her calf.
A-a-a-e-e-e, a-a-a-e-e-e! Little one, I found you!
Ma-ma-a-a," answered Losya.
In the forester's house they heard the cry. The dog barked loudly. Everyone ran outside.
The moose is exhausted, she's wounded," said the forester anxiously, buttoning his coat as he ran, "I can see it from far away."
As the people ran to the pen, the moose collapsed to the ground.
We need to call the veterinarian," said the man with concern.
Is she dead?" asked the girl, frightened.
What will we do with her now?" asked the boy quietly, standing at attention. "Butcher her?"
No, no! We'll drag her into the pen and treat her, feed her," answered grandmother.
We'll take her to the barn with Burenka, there's plenty of space and it's warm," added grandfather.
Grandma, grandfather, will we treat the moose and the calf?!" said Lenia excitedly. "That's great! I'll write an essay at school about winter vacation. All my classmates will be amazed!"
You just want to brag and show off," giggled his sister.
When they get better, they'll go back to the forest. We won't keep them here," decided the forester.
The veterinarian came in the evening. He said the wolves had badly mauled the moose.
I'm amazed she survived. She must have really wanted to find her calf. It looks like we'll have guests until spring," said grandfather, entering the cabin. "Well, grandma, now we definitely won't be bored."
Grandfather laughed.
Hooray! Losya will live here until spring. We'll come visit you during spring vacation too," said the granddaughter happily. "Will they cure the moose?"
Of course, we have a knowledgeable veterinarian.
