A little fox walks through the forest, wagging her tail, barely lifting her feet. She stumbles and falls. She sits down and cries:
Oh, this path is enchanted! I've hurt my little legs, the wretched thing!
A bear comes along, swaying from side to side, rolling from one foot to the other. His legs get tangled. Misha falls:
Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!
And coming toward them is a little wolf, small though he may be, moving swiftly through the forest, only the sound of twigs crunching under his paws.
Stop, little wolf, don't walk on this path, you'll fall! — the fox and bear cried out together.
Why is that? — the little wolf asked in surprise.
This path is enchanted, — said the fox, — I've fallen twice, and Misha hurt himself very badly!
But the little wolf just smiled.
What? You're not afraid of falling? — roared the bear.
Not one bit! — the little wolf answered bravely.
Why? Do you know the secret to breaking the spell on this path?
And not just this one!
Dear little wolf, gray-sided friend, you are our beloved, please tell us the secret! — the bear and little fox began to plead.
The secret is simple,
Keep your tail high!
Your back straight,
And as you stride,
Lift your knees up high.
To keep from any harm —
Wave your arms about,
Chase the spell right out.
Come on now, get up and follow me and do as I do!
The little wolf stepped onto the path first, the little fox followed the wolf, and Misha followed the fox. They walked along the path happily, lifting their feet high, waving their arms, chests puffed out. Three times they walked this path from the forest to the river, and not once did anyone fall.
Thank you, little wolf, for helping us break the spell on the path!
You're welcome! Children, repeat after us, and you will never encounter an enchanted path.
