In a fantastically beautiful enchanted winter forest, there lived a large clumsy bear named Mikhail Potapych. He was not only incredibly strong, but also boundlessly kind and wise, the respected guardian of the forest. All the animals greatly respected him and sincerely loved him, so they always came to him for advice on disputed matters.
In a neighboring enchanted forest lived a red and cunning fox named Patrikeyevna. She had no friends, nobody loved her, because she tried to outwit and deceive everyone for her own benefit, easily pretending to be helpless and weak.
On the eve of the New Year, the cunning Patrikeyevna decided to steal the gifts from Grandfather Frost that he had prepared for the children. The fox began to develop a treacherous plan to ruin the holiday for all the little animals.
I will have enough time to steal the bag of gifts. While the old man listens to poems and songs that the animals have prepared, I will drag away the bag. All the little gifts will go only to me, and there are so many of them! Oh, what good plunder it will be, and I'll ruin the holiday for everyone.
The fox mused aloud.
At that moment, a little sparrow was dozing in a tree, but upon waking, heard everything that the wicked, cunning red beast Patrikeyevna had planned. Frightened, he fluttered up and, flying about, began to tell everyone he met about the fox's treachery.
The rumors quickly spread throughout the forest, and Mikhail Potapych said:
This shall not happen! I will not allow some red fox to ruin the holiday for everyone. How could it be that on New Year's Eve the children would be left without gifts!
The just bear went to watch over Grandfather Frost's bag, to guard against Patrikeyevna so the wicked fox wouldn't ruin the celebration.
The cunning fox waited for everyone to join hands in a circle dance, so the bag would be left unattended. There it was, the perfect moment: she grabbed the prize and quickly dragged it into the forest. But Mikhail Potapych was on guard!
He quickly caught up with the red thief and, grabbing her by the fluffy tail, began to shake her and say: What were you thinking, you cunning creature? How could you hurt the little ones, steal gifts, and ruin the holiday?
The bear took back the bag and taught the fox a good lesson, so much so that she would never again want to steal what belongs to others.
How happy the animals were when they saw the bear with the bag. Grandfather Frost gave the children their gifts, and in gratitude, the clumsy bear received a gift too.
The celebration continued, and the fairy tale ended.
