In a taiga forest under an old large oak tree, in a small and cozy den, lived a bear cub. The animals affectionately called him Mishutka. Because of his thick and shiny fur, he looked like a plush toy, and a white triangle on his chest gave him a noble appearance.
And what a terrible sweet-tooth he was! He was always eating raspberries, constantly smacking his lips and washing them down with sticky honey. When he was very small, his mother the bear often treated him to this delicacy, and afterward his paws would become sticky and fragrant.
With his mother, Mishutka was always cheerful and calm. But one day hunters came to their forest. Loud gunshots frightened the bear cub and made him curl up into a ball in the deepest part of the den.
Don't go anywhere, wait for me here! ― his mother the bear strictly commanded.
Then for a few moments she pressed him tightly against herself with her large furry paw, growled mournfully, and with a heavy sigh, let him go. The bear cub only saw her leap quickly toward the direction from which the gunshots were coming.
Soon everything fell silent. Mishutka calmed down and began patiently waiting for his mother. But she never returned...
That evening he wandered through the forest for a long time, hoping to find her. But he only met a disgruntled hedgehog, who reluctantly crawled out of his burrow and looked at him with sleepy, frequently blinking eyes.
Bear cub, why are you making such a racket through the whole forest?! You won't let me sleep! ― the hedgehog protested.
I lost my mother, ― answered the confused Mishutka, sobbing, ― and I'm lost too.
Come on, I'll take you to your den. I know where it is! ― the hedgehog offered kindly, already shuffling along on his little legs down a narrow path leading deep into the forest.
From that moment on, the bear cub and the hedgehog became inseparable friends. They played and had fun all day long, and then, tired, would go to the den and together sip fragrant tea with jam or honey. Mishutka loved his friend and affectionately called him Puff because his tiny black nose was constantly whistling and snuffling.
Hey, are you home? ― came the hedgehog's voice one early spring morning.
Yes, Puff, come in! ― the bear cub answered happily, half-asleep.
The hedgehog rolled into the den, nimbly unrolled from his ball, and with frequent blinking of his black bead-like eyes, exclaimed enthusiastically:
Look quick at what I found at the loggers' camp!
The bear cub froze for a moment at the sight, and a sparkle appeared in his eyes. In the hedgehog's paws was nothing other than a can of open condensed milk.
Mishutka, hide it for now! I'll come in the evening, and we'll have tea with it. But I don't have time now, I need to rush off to gather mushrooms—there are so many that came up after the rain!
The bear cub could barely wait for evening. He brewed his favorite linden tea with raspberries, carefully placed the can of condensed milk in the middle of the table, and patiently began to wait...
The tea had already grown cold and it had been dark for a long time, but the hedgehog still hadn't returned. He had gathered so many mushrooms that day, enough for almost the whole winter.
And Mishutka couldn't fall asleep, tossing from side to side and cursing himself:
Why did I have to smell it, now I can't forget that smell! Just one more little sniff, what's the harm...
The bear cub took out the hidden can, timidly cracked open the lid and... couldn't resist: his paw treacherously reached out for the treat all by itself.
In the morning, a pleased hedgehog appeared. A smile didn't leave his little face, he was all anticipation of the sweet treat.
Mishutka, I didn't make it to you yesterday. Forgive me. I hope you didn't try the condensed milk without me?
The bear cub didn't know what to answer his friend. He guiltily lowered his eyes and shrank, so much so that his little plush ears pressed against his cheeks.
I thought we were friends, ― Puff mumbled confusedly and, snorting loudly, quickly rolled out of the den.
The bear cub watched the fleeing hedgehog for a long time. And then a thought came to his head that made him feel both joyful and terrified at the same time. But Mishutka couldn't lose his friend, so he quickly made a decision.
His little heart was pounding so hard that his paws kept stumbling off the path. With quick leaps, he headed toward the direction from which the loud sounds of axes could be heard.
The loggers spotted the uninvited guest from far away and fell silent. The frightened little one stopped quite close to them and, rising slightly on his hind legs, tried to growl menacingly. But from fear, the plush brave one's throat seemed to tighten, and the roar came out sounding more like a moan.
Well, my friend, you came back? ― one of the workers called out kindly to the bear.
We know, we know who stole our condensed milk. You liked it, didn't you? Well, come here then, since you came. We'll treat you again!
And the loggers brought out a new can of condensed milk from their truck. Carefully opening it with a penknife, they cautiously placed it under a spruce tree not far from the bear cub and began to watch what would happen. Mishutka, without thinking twice, quickly grabbed it with his teeth and with confident leaps headed toward the hedgehog's home.
Mishutka, I still can't understand how you weren't scared? ― the hedgehog pondered, sipping fragrant raspberry-blackberry tea and carefully dipping his paw into the condensed milk.
You know, Puff, I don't know how it happened myself. I just really wanted to sit here next to you again like this and drink our favorite tea...
To be continued…
