The Koala Who Visited Russia
Deep in a snowy Russian forest, where pines whispered and snowflakes danced, lived many animals who were used to the hush of winter. Hares left soft trails in the snow, foxes curled in their dens, and the great bears slumbered peacefully through the cold.
But one frosty morning, something unusual happened. A small, grey ball of fur, clutching a snow-dusted tree, blinked in confusion. It was a koala, far from the warm eucalyptus trees of Australia, shivering but curious.
“G’day! Anyone here?” the koala called out, but in a voice and accent no one could understand.
Nick, a clever wolf with sharp ears, pricked them forward and tilted his head. “What is he saying?” he wondered, pacing around the strange animal. Then he remembered something from his grandmother’s stories: “Only the bears can understand the language of koalas!”
But it was winter, and bears in Russia sleep through winter.
Nick sighed, looking at the peacefully sleeping bear Misha in a snowy den. “I have to try,” he decided.
He poked Misha gently. Nothing. He howled softly. Still nothing. Nick called for help, and soon squirrels, foxes, hares, and even an elk gathered around the den, working together to push, pull, and shout until finally, with a loud yawn, Misha the bear opened one eye.
“Who dares wake me in winter?” Misha grumbled, but when he saw the shivering koala, he blinked in surprise. “A koala? In Russia?”
The koala’s eyes brightened, and it started to chatter excitedly. Misha listened carefully, nodding.
“He says his name is Oliver, and he’s exploring the world, learning about animals from different countries,” Misha translated, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
The forest animals gathered closer as Oliver asked about them. They took turns showing off:
The squirrels flicked their big fluffy tails proudly.
The hares wiggled their long ears, explaining how they turned white in winter.
The foxes demonstrated their soft red fur and clever paws.
The elk stood tall, showing off his grand antlers.
Oliver listened with wonder, scribbling notes on a small leaf he carried in his pouch.
When it was his turn, Oliver shared stories of Australia:
Of kangaroos hopping across golden fields,
Of platypuses with bills like ducks swimming in rivers,
Of echidnas covered in spikes but with kind eyes,
And of emus racing across deserts, faster than foxes could imagine.
The Russian animals gasped, imagining these strange and wonderful creatures in a land so far away.
That evening, the forest felt warmer, filled with laughter and stories by the crackling campfire. The snow sparkled under the moonlight, and even Misha smiled, deciding to stay awake just a bit longer.
Nick, the wolf, lay down under a tree, looking up at the stars. “There’s a big world out there,” he thought, “and so many animals to meet.” Inspired by Oliver, Nick decided he would learn other languages, so he too could travel and share stories of his forest with animals across the world.
And so, dear reader, take an example from our wolf. Never stop learning, and keep your heart open to the wonders of the world—just like Oliver the koala and Nick the wolf did.
Moral:
Friendship and curiosity can build bridges across the world, even in the snowy heart of winter.
