In a family of blue trucks, a baby was born. Compared to his parents, he was quite a small blue truck. Dad transported large cargo, and mom kept up with him too – people trusted her with their important heavy purchases. Time passed, and the little truck Tema grew, wanting more each day to become bigger and more grown-up. "Then they'll definitely trust me with important purchases!" He often turned in front of the mirror:
Mom, mommy, when will I grow up?
Don't rush, my son, everything has its time.
Yeah, it's easy for you to say – people trust you with furniture and other things, but not me… – Tema sighed.
Mom always smiled at this:
We become big through our actions, not through the size of our cargo bed, like mine or your dad's!
But Tema couldn't understand how actions could make wheels bigger or the cargo bed grow.
Then one summer day, Tema received an important task: deliver building blocks to the kindergarten. Proud and joyful, he set off to complete the mission, but the road to his destination was blocked by construction work. He'd have to take a detour and lose a whole hour! Tema was so upset he almost cried, but then he remembered another road through a small forest – he might only lose a few minutes, and he'd end up right in front of the kindergarten.
Driving on a forest path was pure pleasure on a hot day, but the little truck had an important task and decided not to get distracted, when suddenly a young squirrel jumped out in front of him.
Good thing I wasn't going fast – I slowed down. Why did you jump onto the road? – Tema began to scold the squirrel.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I lost my mom! – and the little one cried.
Tema was in a hurry, of course, but he couldn't leave the squirrel.
Don't cry, we'll find your mom. Get in the cab, and I'll honk the horn – she'll hear us faster that way.
The squirrel stopped crying and looked out of the cab with interest – when else would you get a ride like this! And Tema honked with all his might, which caught the attention of a magpie:
What's all this noise? Are you causing trouble?
No, no, Aunt Magpie, we're looking for the squirrel's mom – he got lost!
Ah… – the curious bird drawled, – Then I'll help you look too.
A squirrel is looking for his mom! A squirrel is looking for his mom! A squirrel is looking for his mom! – she chattered endlessly, flying through the forest.
Where, where is my baby? – the mother squirrel appeared and was right next to her rascal.
Thank you, my dear! – the mother squirrel carefully kissed the little truck.
It was nothing, really – the now-red truck squeaked weakly, which happened when he was very embarrassed.
After saying goodbye to his new friends, Tema hurried on his way – it wouldn't be right to be late for such an important task! He hadn't gone far when he heard a groan.
The truck stopped and listened. The sound was very faint. Tema carefully examined the road and spotted a young frog with a large branch pinning him down – the poor thing could barely breathe.
Poor thing, I'll help you right away! – Tema carefully removed the branch, – Are you okay?
After lying there for a couple of minutes, the frog was already hopping around the truck:
Ribbit-ribbit, thank you, my friend! Would you like to listen to the cheerful songs of my frog friends?
I'd love to, but only next time – I'm in a terrible hurry! Goodbye, little frog!
Goodbye, truck!
With all his forest adventures, Tema forgot about time and was thirty minutes late! The kindergarten teacher was waiting for him at the entrance.
Tema, Tema, – she said sternly, – I thought you were a responsible truck, but you're late!
And the blue truck turned red again, this time from shame.
I'll have to tell your parents that you're too small to carry even such cargo!
Wait, don't scold him, it's not his fault! – the squirrel and young squirrel were already hurrying toward the teacher and the truck, and the little frog too – the magpie had led them.
They all began talking over each other, telling what had happened on the forest path. The teacher listened with great interest without interrupting, and Tema… He felt like a chameleon, turning red then blue, all his feelings mixed together – on one hand he was ashamed of being late, but on the other he was embarrassed by all the praise from the forest animals, since he hadn't really done anything special, just helped!
I'm sorry, Tema, – said the teacher, – I didn't know you had such important reasons. Your parents are very lucky to have such a kind and caring son!
At home, his parents looked at their little truck son with pride (the teacher had told them everything) as he turned in front of the mirror.
And the mother truck, wiping tears of joy from her headlights, said:
Temochka, how big you've become!
Tema looked at his reflection in surprise – everything seemed the same, the cargo bed, the wheels – what had changed? And then the little truck remembered his mom's words, that our actions make us big!
