– Good morning, Mitya, – said his mom. -It’s time to get up; breakfast is getting cold.

      – If only I could make breakfast come to me, feed me, and wash the dishes, that would be great! – said Mitya.

      – That only happens in fairy tales, – his mom replied.

      – What’s for breakfast? – asked Mitya.

      – Your favorite stewed cabbage and pancakes with condensed milk, – his mom answered. -Your sister will eat your portion now, so get to the table quickly.

      – That Zoe again, – muttered Mitya, and went to the kitchen.

      When they had all finished breakfast, his mom said,

      – I need your help today.

      – What? We won’t go for a walk? – asked Mitya.

      – If you finish your chores, you can go for a walk, – his mom answered.

      – What should we do? – asked Mitya.

      – Today we need to plant cabbage, carrots, and beets. Take the shovel, Mitya, and dig some holes. Zoe will plant the cabbage seedlings, – said his mom.

      When the cabbage planting was finished, they moved on to the carrots and beets. His mom showed Mitya how to use a hoe, and he started making furrows where Zoe dropped the seeds.

      Soon, the work was done, and his mom let Mitya go play.

      Mitya was jumping around in the meadow when a fox came up to him and asked,

      – Where did you come from in our parts?

      – My mom found me in the cabbage, – replied Mitya.

      – And were there many of you like this in the cabbage? – asked the fox.

      – Enough to last you a lifetime, – replied Mitya.

      – Aren’t you afraid to walk alone in the woods? – asked the fox.

      – Who should I be afraid of? Well, maybe you, red one, – replied Mitya.

      – Maybe me, too, – said the fox and was about to jump on the kid, but Mitya managed to jump aside, and the fox hit her head on a stump.

      – What, red one, doesn’t your head hurt? – asked Mitya.

      – We’ll meet again, – said the fox, and ran off.

      – I don’t doubt it, – replied Mitya.

      A hedgehog came out of the bushes and said,

      – Well done, Mitya, for standing your ground. I see you have a brave heart. But be careful, she’s very cunning, and she won’t forget this. You can always count on me.

      – Thanks, Uncle Hedgehog, – said Mitya.

      – “Bravo, bravo, – said a magpie. -Call me when there’s a rematch; I’d love to watch that.

      – She’s been asking for it. I have children, too, and I’m scared to leave them alone without supervision, – said a squirrel, sitting on a tree.

      – We need to stick together, and if necessary, help each other in trouble, – said Mitya.

      The happy little goat went skipping home and was so eager to tell his mom his story.

      – I chased away the fox today, – boasted Mitya.

      – You have to be careful, son. Be wary of the fox, the wolf, the bear. They will always be looking for a reason to eat you, – said his mom.

      – Let them try! When I grow up, I’ll fight them all off, – said Mitya, and began to jump for joy.

      Chapter 2 – Water from the well

      Mitya’s mom sent him to get water from the well, which was located at the other end of the forest.

      – Can I come with you? – asked his little sister.

      – Come on, but stay close, – said Mitya.

      – Yes, sir, – said Zoe, saluting with her hoof.

      Mitya took a small cart, put a bucket and a water jug on it, and they set off on their journey.

      As they walked, they saw a mole sticking its head out of the ground.

      – Who’s passing by? – asked the mole.

      – It’s Mitya the kid and his little sister, Zoe, – answered Mitya.

      – Mitya, can you tell me what day it is? – asked the mole.

      – It was Tuesday this morning. Don’t you know? – asked Mitya.

      – I’m blind, so I often get confused about the calendar, – answered the mole.

      – Then you need to see a doctor, – advised Mitya.

      – No, it runs in the family. My ancestors were always blind, too, – said the mole.

      – Maybe you should buy glasses. You might get your sight back, – asked Mitya.

      – That’s a good idea. I should think about it, – answered the mole.

      They went on, and Mitya saw a giant snake climbing up a tree to feast on the baby birds that were sitting on the branch in their nest.

      – Get down from there right now, or you’ll be sorry! – yelled Mitya.

      – Who are you? – asked the snake.

      – I’m Mitya the kid – protector of all the weak and defenseless, – replied Mitya.

      – You’re a protector! Ha! Ha! Ha! You look at yourself. If I get down from here, you won’t like what happens to you, – hissed the snake.

      Zoe hid behind the cart and trembled with fear.

      Mitya looked around for something, anything, that could help him in this battle with the snake. He saw a long stick. As the snake descended to the right distance, Mitya hit it several times with the stick. The snake fell, hissed, and slithered away.

      – Thank you, kid, I don’t forget kindness, – said a titmouse.

      He went over to Zoe, hugged her, and asked,

      – You were scared?

      – I was scared, – said Zoe.

      – Don’t worry, I’m your brother, so I won’t let anyone bully you, – said the kid.

      They reached the well and started to get water. Once they had filled the jug and the bucket, they rested a little and then set off back home.

      On their way back, a bear came toward them.

      – So, this is the tough guy who’s shown up in the forest. Well, well, well, – said the bear.

      – Yes, I am. What about it? – asked the kid.

      – I’ve heard about your heroic deeds. That fox is still at home taking headache pills. Do you mind sharing your water with me? – asked the bear.

      – No, you can have it, – said Mitya, and gave him the bucket of water.

      The bear drank his fill and said,

      – You’re

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