The Beginning, or Why the Little Bear Decided to Set Out on a Journey
Once upon a time, in a beautiful, cozy, small town, there lived a young wizard named Benedict. He gladly helped everyone and was a friend to every resident of the town.
One day he helped build a house for a family that had recently moved to town, since they did not yet have a home of their own and it had to be raised quickly. Another day he helped a chimney sweep, tired from his day's work, with the last chimney of his shift. And at other times he searched for a lost doll for a little girl.
The wizard never refused anyone simple human help. The only thing was that he could not perform any great miracle and help people with his magical gift.
Benedict grieved so deeply that he stopped believing in magic himself. He was like a bird that had known the beauty of flight but had lost the ability to fly.
Day after day he tried tirelessly to do something special, so that he might regain the gift he had been born with. But nothing worked. He could not bring beautiful flowers for a holiday, nor a breeze to lift kites into the sky. He blamed himself more and more and decided that he was not worthy of being called a wizard.
In his simple, cozy cottage there was always food for anyone who was hungry, help for anyone who sought it, and shelter for anyone with nowhere to go. But there was no joy or happiness in it, for a wizard cannot rejoice when he cannot manage even the smallest bit of magic. The sun peeked into the house less and less often, and then winter arrived.
In Benedict's house there was one especially treasured object: a teddy bear named Bruno, a gift from his mother, which he kept with great care. Bruno sat on his cozy shelf and watched the wizard. He remembered him as a little boy, and now he had grown into a kind and honest man. Bruno knew him cheerful and happy, and also sad, as he was now, no longer believing that he could ever bring miracles to people again.
Bruno knew how much pain his friend's heart had suffered from the betrayal of those who had been close to him only as long as he was needed. Yet Benedict's soul had never stopped being pure and open, and it stubbornly saw only the best in everything.
The little bear loved this wonderful quality in the wizard's soul. He loved how Benedict rejoiced whenever he had been able to help someone, knowing the day had not been lived in vain.
Now Bruno especially wanted to help his despairing friend and see his smile again, bright as the sun. But what could he, a plush teddy bear, do? The clumsy little bear thought long and hard, but nothing came to mind.
Suddenly the bear heard familiar footsteps. Benedict had come home. The wizard sat in his armchair, wrapped himself in a blanket, looked out the window, and said:
You know, my friend Bruno, sometimes I think you understand everything. You understand what troubles me better than many people do. But you cannot speak, so you cannot advise me... It has grown cold outside, and so much snow has fallen, a true snowy fairy tale! But why talk about it? Let me show you!
The wizard threw off the blanket, stood up, took the bear from the shelf, and carried him to the window so he could admire the snowy beauty of nature.
Look, little one! Isn't our town beautiful in winter, covered in a white blanket of snow! There, in the distance, you can see the forest, sleeping under its snowy cover until spring. Believe me, it is very lovely. And beyond the forest is the sea... Perhaps somewhere out there is something that could help me work a miracle. Every wizard is capable of miracles, but not me... Well, my friend, we have no time for travel. There is much work to do here. But I tell you, traveling is wonderful!
Benedict sighed sadly, set the bear back on the shelf, poured himself a cup of fragrant tea, drank it standing by the window, watched the sunset, lay down on his favorite sofa, and fell asleep.
The bear gazed at the sleeping wizard and remembered how Benedict used to push him on the swing, read him stories about journeys, brave knights, and kind wizards when he was still a little boy. How he used to sit with him in a meadow, watching the clouds. The wizard had loved to observe nature then, hearing in its breath a special music that changed with the weather and the seasons.
Benedict had felt deeply how important it was to protect every flower, how precious every birdsong was, how magical the music of a bubbling brook near the house was. And suddenly the bear understood how to help his friend!
I, Bruno, will set out on a journey and find what will help Benedict perform miracles again, as wizards should, especially such kind and honest ones! It is decided! I will be brave and return to my friend the joy that comes from a miracle made for someone.
The bear carefully climbed down from the shelf, looked once more at the sleeping wizard, who surely was dreaming something pleasant, touched his hand with a little paw, and quietly opened the door and stepped over the threshold.
The first rays of the sun had barely appeared on the horizon. How beautiful! The snow glittered at dawn, and the frost nipped at his nose. Before the bear opened an enormous, lovely world, one that was also frightening in its unknown, a world he had never seen while sitting on his cozy shelf. Now he had to face this world in order to find what would help his friend believe in miracles again.
It was frightening for the bear to set out on a journey. He did not know what he was looking for, but he had to help the wizard. Bruno jumped into the sled of the forester, who went around the forest every morning checking that all was well with its inhabitants.
The forester came out of his house, brought the horse, harnessed it to the sled, settled comfortably, and set off, unaware of the little passenger riding along with him.
The ride was short, and the bear found himself in the snowy winter forest. As soon as the forester stopped the sled, the bear climbed down carefully and went on on foot. He had to hurry, for every minute of the journey mattered!
The Teddy Bear's Journey Through the Winter Forest
It was cold for the little plush paws to make their way through the forest. They kept sinking into the snow, but he had to keep moving forward, and the bear went on.
He walked for a long time, looking carefully at everything around him, hoping that what he sought might be hidden somewhere in the forest. But he found nothing, and tired at last, the bear sat down beside a tree. Suddenly a little hare jumped out next to him. It stared intently at the bear.
Hello! I am Fluffy! You must be a relative of Uncle Bear. Come, I'll take you to his den. It's strange, though: I thought all bears slept in winter and did not go visiting each other...
The bear smiled and said:
Hello, Fluffy! I am not a relative of Uncle Bear at all. I am only a teddy bear named Bruno, and that is why I am not sleeping.
Then what are you doing in the forest, and how can I help you? asked Fluffy.
The bear scratched his plush head with a paw and began his story:
I don't know how you could help me, but I set out into the forest to rescue a friend, a kind wizard. He was given to me when he was still a little boy, and now he is grown. You would not believe how many people he has helped with his own hands! But for a long time now he has been unable to perform any magic, and it upsets him terribly. He has stopped believing in magic and thinks he no longer deserves to be called a wizard. So I set out on a journey to find what will help him believe in himself again and return his ability to work miracles. This forest is not far from our home, so I began my journey here. Is there anything in your forest that I am looking for?
Fluffy stroked his ear with a paw. He had seen nothing of the kind, but he very much wanted to help the bear.
I haven't seen what you are looking for, but Grandpa Owl knows everything and will surely be able to help you. Come on, I'll take you to him!
The road was long, but with Fluffy the bear was not afraid, and the journey seemed more cheerful. At last Bruno and Fluffy reached an old oak where Grandpa Owl lived. Fluffy called out:
Hello, Grandpa Owl! We really need your advice!
In that very moment an owl appeared on a branch, looked carefully at his guests, and said:
Hello! Well then, if you need advice, I will gladly help you in whatever way I can.
The bear was very glad and decided to tell quickly about what had been troubling him.
Grandpa Owl thought deeply. He truly knew a great deal, but he did not know how to help the bear. There was nothing like that in the forest.
You won't find it here, no matter how hard you look. You have a difficult task, but your wish to help your friend will show you what you are seeking. I once heard from my own grandfather that there is something special in the sea beyond our forest. Go there. Fluffy will lead you to the deer Snowtail, and he will carry you to the shore, for your journey on such small paws would take a very long time. I will give you a pine cone so you will not forget our forest. Here, take it.
The bear picked up the pine cone and held it tightly in his plush paws. It was not what he had been looking for, but it was a very precious gift. The little traveler firmly knew that he would continue on his way, and he was grateful for the help of Fluffy and Grandpa Owl.
Thank you, Grandpa Owl, for your advice. We must go now. Goodbye!
Goodbye, Bruno, little brave traveler! You have taught us forest folk a great deal. We will not forget your courage. May your path be kind, and may you surely find what you seek! said the old owl at parting.
Fluffy and the bear soon reached Snowtail.
Hello, Fluffy! Glad to see you! What brings you to me?
Hello, Snowtail! The teddy bear Bruno needs help. He must help someone dear to him as soon as possible. He is heading to the sea, but on his small paws it would take him a very long time to get there. Would you be willing to carry him? said the hare.
Of course, I will gladly help! Bruno, climb onto my back and hold on tight, replied Snowtail, lowering himself onto the snow so the bear could climb on more easily.
Thank you, Fluffy, goodbye! I will not forget you and your help, said the bear, saying farewell to the hare.
Goodbye, Bruno! Good luck on your journey, and may you find what you are looking for, replied Fluffy.
Snowtail rose and carried the bear toward the sea, where the little plush traveler would try to find what would return to the wizard his faith in miracles. The deer swiftly brought the bear to the sea. The bear climbed down from the deer's back.
Thank you, Snowtail, for bringing me so quickly. I will not forget your help. I must hurry, there is no time to lose. Goodbye!
Safe travels, brave little bear Bruno, and may you find what you are looking for, said Snowtail at parting.
Approaching the water, the bear saw a boat, climbed into it, and fell asleep, for he was very tired after the day, and many adventures and encounters still lay ahead. The bear slept and dreamed that he had returned home, and that Benedict, as in their distant childhood, was smiling at him, having worked a miracle for the whole town by bringing its residents flowers never seen before, blooming in every flower bed.
The Teddy Bear's Journey Across the Open Sea
Morning came, and the sound of waves woke the bear. The little traveler looked around. While he slept, a fisherman had come and sailed out to sea in his boat.
The sea was incredibly beautiful and calm. It gently rocked the boat. The bear was frightened, drifting farther and farther from home. But he had still not found what could help the wizard believe in miracles again, and so there was no turning back, only forward.
The sea was magnificent. In winter it was, of course, different, like all of nature, but its waves had a special music and a special charm.
The bear remembered the wizard again, who had loved to observe nature. He would have liked the picture now opening before the bear's eyes. He had to be brave and search more diligently for what would help his friend. And the new page of the journey that opened to the bear with the dawn must not be wasted.
Gazing at the sea, the little traveler could not make out anything special. Suddenly a seal appeared on the surface of the water. The bear watched it closely, and the seal, noticing this, swam up to the boat.
Hello, I am Zippy! And who are you? What brings you to our cold northern sea?
Hello, Zippy! I am the teddy bear Bruno. I set out to sea to help a friend, a kind wizard. He was given to me when he was still a little boy, and now he is grown. You would not believe how many people he has helped! But he has not been able to perform any magic for a long time, and it upsets him terribly. He believes he is no longer worthy of being called a wizard. So I set out on a journey to find what will return to him the ability to work miracles. I began my journey in the forest, but there was nothing there that I was looking for. Grandpa Owl said there is something special in the sea. And here I am. Is there anything in your sea that I am looking for, to help someone dear to me? replied the bear to the seal.
Zippy scratched his head.
I don't know of anything special in our sea, and I certainly have not seen anything like what you are looking for. I will take you to Uncle Whale. He is the wisest here and will surely be able to help you. Climb onto my back, and let us swim to him.
The bear climbed from the boat onto Zippy's back, and they set off to find Uncle Whale. The way was short, and Zippy soon found the enormous whale, drifting leisurely in search of interesting news.
Hello, Uncle Whale! We really need your help, your wise advice!
Uncle Whale was glad to see Zippy, and he loved giving advice when he was asked for it. After all, if someone asks for advice, it means you can help, and helping is what is needed.
Hello! If you need advice, tell me what the matter is. I will help you in whatever way I can.
The bear was very glad that Uncle Whale had agreed to help, and he decided to tell quickly what had been troubling him.
The wise whale thought for a long time about Bruno's story and at last said:
You have a difficult task, Bruno. What you seek cannot be found in the sea, no matter how hard you look. But we do have northern pearls! Zippy, set the bear on my back and bring him a special pearl as a gift, one that can only be found here. In warm seas the pearls are different... Afterward I will take Bruno to the shore. Let him go to the mountains, where he may find what he is looking for.
Zippy set the bear on Uncle Whale's back, and diving, in the same instant surfaced again, holding in his flippers something incredibly beautiful.
Here is a pearl for you, Bruno, so you will not forget your journey to us. It is a pity we have nothing else for you, but I was glad to help such a brave little one. I am sure you will find what you are looking for. Goodbye, Bruno, may your path be kind!
Goodbye, Zippy! Thank you for everything. I will not forget your help! said the bear at parting.
Uncle Whale quickly carried the bear to a rocky shore. Setting the little traveler down, he said:
Goodbye, Bruno! You have taught us sea folk a great deal, little brave traveler. We will not forget your kindness, and may your path be good. Be sure to find what you are looking for!
Thank you for your advice, your help, and your gift, Uncle Whale. I will not forget your kindness, goodbye! said the bear to the whale as it swam away.
The bear looked around, and before him rose high mountains. It was frightening for the little plush bear to go on, but he had to continue his journey.
He had found nothing special in the forest or in the sea, so he had to be brave and keep going. The bear set off along a mountain path, looking around so as not to miss by chance what he was seeking.
He did not know what encounters and wonderful landscapes awaited him ahead. But he remembered Benedict. How he would have loved the mountains! If only he could return to the wizard and see him happy, believing in miracles, as such a kind person ought to. And the bear walked faster.
The Teddy Bear's Journey in the Mountains
It was hard for a little plush bear in the mountains in winter. The snow was beautiful, but on the peaks there was even more of it than in the forest, which made it hard for his little paws to walk. The wind was much stronger and colder.
The bear was completely exhausted. He sat down, leaning his back against the mountain, and began to think about how he could find here what would help his friend. He could not even imagine what it might be. Suddenly right in front of him he saw a little goat kid, who was studying him intently.
Hello, I am Jasper the goat kid. But I am not an ordinary goat kid, I am a mountain goat. I have never met you before in our mountains. Who are you? What brings you here?
Hello, Jasper, I am the teddy bear Bruno! I set out to the mountains to help a friend, a kind wizard. He was given to me when he was still a little boy, and now he is grown. Do you know how many people he helps with his own hands? But he cannot perform any magic now, and it upsets him terribly. He has stopped believing in miracles and thinks he no longer deserves to be called a wizard. So I set out on a journey to find what will return to him the ability to work miracles. I began in the forest, but there was nothing there that I was looking for, and Grandpa Owl said there is something special in the sea. I went to the sea, but found nothing there either. Then Uncle Whale advised me to look for what would help the wizard regain his faith in miracles in the mountains... Is there anything here that I am looking for, Jasper? replied the bear to the goat kid.
The goat kid thought for a moment. He had seen nothing like that in the mountains, but he very much wanted to help the bear.
I haven't seen what you are looking for, but wise Grandpa Snow Leopard knows everything and will surely be able to help you. Climb onto my back, and I will take you to him.
The way was short, for Jasper moved easily across the mountains, as a mountain goat kid should, and they soon arrived at the cave of old Grandpa Snow Leopard. Jasper called out:
Hello, Grandpa Snow Leopard! We really need your advice!
In that very moment the snow leopard emerged from the cave, large and wearing a beautiful fur coat. Looking carefully at his guests, he said:
Hello! Well then, if you need advice, I will gladly help you in whatever way I can. Tell me what the matter is.
The bear was very glad that wise Grandpa Snow Leopard had agreed to help him, and he decided to tell quickly about what had been troubling him.
Grandpa Snow Leopard listened to Bruno and fell into thought. He truly knew everything about the mountains, but he did not know how to help the bear.
You won't find it here, no matter how hard you try. You have a difficult task, Bruno, but your wish to help your friend is commendable. Climb onto my back, and I will take you to my old friend, the eagle Swiftwing. Perhaps he can help you. And Jasper should head home to his mother, she must already be worried...
Jasper came up to the bear and lowered his little muzzle, and the bear, stroking him with a plush paw, said:
Goodbye, Jasper! Thank you for not leaving me alone in the mountains. I will not forget your help and kindness.
Goodbye, Bruno! May your path be kind and may you surely find what you are looking for, said Jasper at parting.
The bear climbed onto Grandpa Snow Leopard's back and continued his journey. In no time they reached Swiftwing, who lived at the top of the mountains. Swiftwing noticed his friend and came over to the travelers.
Hello, my friend! And you, bear, hello! What brings you to me?
Hello, Swiftwing! The teddy bear Bruno urgently needs to help his friend, a wizard, as soon as possible. The wizard has lost his faith in miracles, and the bear decided to find what would help him. He began his journey in the forest, but there was nothing there. Grandpa Owl told him there is something special in the sea. The bear went to the sea, but found nothing there. Uncle Whale advised him to go to the mountains, but there is nothing like that in our mountains either... You fly all over the world and know everything. Perhaps you can tell us where to look for what will help the wizard?
The eagle fell thoughtful.
I fly all over the world, yet I have never seen anything like that. What you seek, little one, cannot be found anywhere in the whole world. I know you, Bruno, and the wizard too. I saw him this morning. When he lost you, he became even more upset, and it seems to me that you should end your journey and return home. I will carry you straight to your house, brave little traveler. Climb onto my back.
The bear was very upset that he could not find what would return to the wizard his faith in miracles. There was nothing in the whole wide world that could help his friend.
Well, if I could not help my friend, I should not upset him even more. It is time to go home. Thank you, Grandpa Snow Leopard, I will not forget your kindness and your help. Goodbye!
Goodbye, Bruno! You have taught us mountain folk a great deal, little brave traveler. We too will not forget your kindness, and may your path be good! said Grandpa Snow Leopard at parting.
The bear climbed onto the eagle's back, and Swiftwing took off. They flew so high that people, trees, and houses looked tiny. Oh, how beautiful the earth was in winter seen from the eagle's flight! The bear's breath was taken away by such beauty.
Soon the familiar little stream came into view, and the eagle landed in the clearing by the wizard's house. The bear smiled warmly at Swiftwing.
Thank you, Swiftwing, for bringing me home. I will not forget your help! Goodbye!
Glad to have helped, brave little Bruno. Though what you were searching for was not found, we learned a great deal from you. You are a true friend, ready for a difficult journey for the sake of someone dear to you. Goodbye! Do not be sad, everything will be fine! And as a parting gift, I give you my feather, so you will not forget the mountains, said Swiftwing, holding out a feather in his beak.
The eagle flew away, and the bear climbed onto the bench by the house and fell into thought. He had not found what could return to the wizard his faith in miracles and make him happy again.
The bear sat on the bench, tired after the long journey, and looked over the pearl, the pine cone, and the feather he had been given. He felt joy when he remembered the kindness of Grandpa Owl and Fluffy, Zippy and Uncle Whale, Swiftwing and Grandpa Snow Leopard, but at the same time he felt sad, because he had not been able to help the wizard.
And he was sad also because his friend would not know that the bear had tried to help him, what a journey he had made trying to bring back the smile he had not seen for so long and so longed to see again.
Homecoming, or the End of the Journey
The bear sat on the bench by the house and did not dare to go in. Suddenly the door opened, and Bruno saw Benedict. How he had missed him! The wizard, noticing his little bear, joyfully scooped him up in his arms.
I am so glad to see you, Bruno! I had already decided that I had lost you forever! Where have you been, little one? What is that interesting thing beside you on the bench?
The wizard set the bear down on the bench and picked up the pine cone. As soon as the cone was in Benedict's hands, he saw the journey of his little plush friend in the forest, as clearly as if he had been there himself.
He set the pine cone down on the bench and picked up the pearl. The journey of the bear across the open sea was revealed to him.
Benedict took the feather, and the feather revealed to him Bruno's adventures in the mountains. He put the feather back in its place.
His eyes filled with tears, so clearly had he seen everything that had happened to the bear. He lifted Bruno in his arms and looked into his button eyes, gently stroking his plush back.
My brave, little Bruno! How you wanted to help me find what would return my faith in miracles and the ability to work them again. And here it is: what you searched for and could not find anywhere in the whole world. This is your journey, my brave plush friend! Is it not a miracle that you resolved to do such a thing? With the help of the gifts from the forest, sea, and mountains, I saw your path as clearly as if I had been beside you! Now I believe in miracles again, and I want to try to work some magic for someone! Thank you, Bruno, you are a true friend! Let us go into the house, put your gifts in a casket, and give you a bath, for your plush coat has gotten dirty...
The wizard came into the house with the bear in his arms, placed him on his favorite sofa, and filled a basin with warm water. He took out fragrant soap, and then, lifting Bruno from the sofa, set him in the prepared bath.
It tickled the plush paws when the wizard rubbed them with a washcloth. His nose was covered in soapy, very fragrant foam. The bear was glad that the wizard was smiling again, which meant he believed in miracles.
The wizard washed the bear, and his plush coat seemed even more beautiful. Benedict wrapped the little bear in a towel and carried him to dry on the rug beside the crackling fireplace.
Bruno dried quickly, and the wizard tied a pretty bow around his neck. Taking Bruno in his arms, he walked to the window. Outside it was dark.
And how did you ever dare to undertake such a journey, my little brave bear! You, Bruno, have worked a true miracle for me, the wizard. They say that for those who are dear to us, we are capable of working any miracle, and nothing is impossible when they need help. I needed help, and you were not afraid to do everything possible to see me happy. And I am happy, because I have such a wonderful friend. I will try to work a small miracle for you!
Benedict set Bruno on his favorite cozy shelf. He knew well that the bear had loved flying most of all. Closing his eyes, a little afraid that nothing would come of it, the wizard said:
Dunu raz, dunu dva, dunu tri, and the bear shall have a balloon just his size... Look, my friend, look... Fly, my words, like birds, fulfill my wish this very instant...
Opening his eyes, the wizard saw a bright hot-air balloon on Bruno's shelf. Benedict was delighted that he had finally managed to work a miracle for his friend. So now he could work miracles again, as wizards should. The balloon was no ordinary one. Benedict set the bear in the basket, and the wizard whispered softly:
Fly, little balloon, fly...
The balloon glided slowly around the room. The bear was happy, for he loved to fly, and this was true. He had realized it when he was returning home on the eagle's back.
The surprise delighted Bruno, but even more he enjoyed seeing the kind wizard happy. So his journey had not been in vain. The magical balloon made several circles around the room and settled onto the shelf. The wizard lifted the bear from the basket and set him comfortably on the shelf.
And now it is time to rest. Good night, Bruno!
Benedict turned off the light, settled comfortably on his favorite sofa, and fell asleep. Quiet settled over the house. The brave plush bear slept too. He was glad to be home again. And he dreamed of the forest with Fluffy and Grandpa Owl, Snowtail, the sea with Zippy and Uncle Whale, and the mountains with Jasper, Grandpa Snow Leopard, and Swiftwing.
And so the journey of the plush bear Bruno came to its end. He had managed to find what returned to the wizard his faith in miracles and the ability to work simple miracles.
The kind wizard Benedict had given the town's residents many miracles. Even today, in that little town, any resident will point you, my dear reader, with special warmth to the house of the wizard and Bruno. And they will gladly tell you many interesting stories.
Do not forget this amazing tale of true friendship, which I have carefully passed on to you.
