In a certain fairy tale forest there lived a young bee named Zhenya. He loved physical exercise very much. Every morning with his friend the wind, he would do exercises, and during the day he flew a lot, developing agility and endurance.
I want to be the strongest, stronger than the wind!
He said firmly. But Zhenya was still small and lost in competitions with the wind. Playing around, the breeze would carry him to the neighboring meadow or lift him to the top of a curly birch tree.
I'm still stronger than you! It's me, I'm the fastest!
Zhenya once shouted angrily at the wind.
Me! Me! Me!
The wind blew a bit stronger than usual and the young bee flew away to the magical land of "Yakalkа". In this country everything seemed ordinary at first glance, but as soon as you talk to someone, you feel the difference.
Seeing a bearded beetle, Zhenya, like a well-mannered boy, greeted him:
Hello, kind sir, could you tell me where I've ended up?
This is my home, I'm the boss here. I built myself a house on a pine tree. I'm very hardworking, I…
Zhenya flew away from the boastful beetle and met a beautiful butterfly:
Dear butterfly, hello, please tell me, what kind of country is this?
Hello, little bee! Yes, I'm lovely, I'm beautiful, I've been flying here for a month and don't notice anyone but myself, I have such colorful wings, I flutter them so gracefully in the air? I…
Without listening to the end, Zhenya flew on, but everyone he met on his way boasted about themselves: the ant about his intelligence, the mosquito about his voice, the ladybug about her spots on her wings, even the worm bragged about his crawling ability.
By the end of the day, Zhenya's head was spinning: "Everyone here talks, and no one listens to anyone. How can I find out where I am and how to get home?" — with these thoughts the young bee fell asleep, using a plantain leaf as a pillow.
This leaf was also magical. In his sleep, it told Zhenya that it had lived in the land of Yakalkа for 100 years, and that conceited ones who like to say "me" end up here. To escape, you must not say the word "me" even once for three days and perform three good deeds.
In the morning, Zhenya was awakened by a cry:
I want a new toy, I want sweet pollen, give it to me!
A young bee whined, kicking his legs.
Why are you screaming? Get it yourself, there are plenty of flowers, they're full of nectar. And if you don't work, you'll turn into a drone!
Zhenya asked him.
I can't!
Why?
Because I'm Prince Venya, I'm special, I…
That's enough, your majesty. I know one magical trick, if you do it, you won't even notice how satisfied you'll become.
How's that?
Like this, repeat after me:
One stomp, two clap,
Three bend down, and turn around!
Squat down, give me your hand!
Two jumps,
by the puddle,
And off we go!
I'm flying!!! I haven't done this in so long! What's this trick called?
Venya shouted joyfully and cheerfully, spinning over the flowers.
Exercise!
Wow! I'll do exercises every day!
Wonderful!
All day Zhenya and Venya flew racing each other and enjoyed delicious nectar. In the evening, Venya invited his friend to stay overnight at his hive.
On the second day, after waking up, the friends did exercises and flew to a fragrant meadow. Under a daisy, someone sneezed:
Bless you!
The friends wished in unison.
Thank you, I think I'm about to get sick, my throat feels scratchy.
A caterpillar peeked out from behind a flower.
Breathing exercises might help you, my friend the wind taught me how to do them.
What kind of exercises?
You breathe in deeply through your nose, hold your breath, and exhale slowly through your nose or sharply through your mouth, you can alternate. Let's try:
We breathe in the aroma of flowers,
Feel the sweetness in our throat.
And we blow on a leaf
Like a gentle breeze.
Great! I feel relief.
Said the caterpillar.
You can also do breathing exercises while moving, the wind brought it from China, it's called qigong. The main thing here is maintaining harmony of body and spirit. Breathing should be done with your "belly" — when you inhale, puff out your belly, your chest stays still, when you exhale, deflate your belly. Your back should be straight, movements smooth, just like your breathing.
Zhenya demonstrated the breathing exercise "Waves" by raising his arms parallel with palms down, and bending his knees slightly as he lowered his arms. Venya and the caterpillar repeated with their legs spread wide:
All is calm, the waves sleep.
We will wake those kids.
One wave — we raised our hands
We lowered them,
exhale to the clouds.
Two waves, it's higher,
We exhale, quiet as mice.
Three we raised high,
Inhale and exhale —
deeply.
After some time, other inhabitants of the magical land began to join them. Surprisingly, no one said "me", everyone really liked the qigong breathing exercises. They smoothly waved their arms, sometimes bringing them together, sometimes spreading them apart, making a rainbow over their heads, sometimes playing an accordion in front of their chest, while breathing deeply in rhythm with the movement. So another day passed.
On the third day, friends Zhenya and Venya, flying around the meadow, saw a very sad ground beetle.
Why are you so sad?
The friends asked.
I don't know why I'm sad?
Let's play.
Zhenya suggested.
How?
I suggest a circle dance game called "Garland".
And Zhenya explained the rules: in the center is the chaser, everyone else stands around him and says the words:
"One flower, two flower, → Raise your left hand, lower it; same with the right
Together we'll weave a garland. → Rotate your arms in front of your chest
It's very sad to be alone, → Hold hands, lead the circle dance
Together we play the game.
Let's send the garland on waves, → Standing in the circle dance, each child takes turns raising their hands
Flowers to the river, we run.
One, two, three – catch.
After these words, the friends scattered, and the ground beetle chased them.
More and more inhabitants of Yakalkа came to join in this fun activity. Everyone wanted to join the circle dance, and they were accepted on the condition that they wouldn't say "me".
One circle dance cannot be done alone!
Zhenya explained. The wind flew by and saw how the inhabitants of Yakalkа land were having fun.
Who's playing here?
The wind asked.
We are! We're having so much fun!
The friends answered in unison and the evil spell was broken.
From that day on, the country was called the Land of Friendship. And Zhenya was able to return home. He continued to exercise and became strong and agile, but never again was arrogant or said "me". Zhenya often visited his friends, flying to the Land of Friendship with a gentle breeze.
