The last sun rays disappeared, night fell and a squirrel began to put its small babies to bed. It lived on a high oak-tree and had two babies squirrels, a boy and a girl, who were called Tini and Mini. Tini and Mini were very friendly,they liked hide-and-sick and to listen their mother s stories before they went to bed.
“Mum”, said Tini, “tell us your new story, please.”
“Oh, my dear” , the squirrel answered, “I am so tired today. I 'll tell you a story next time.”
“But, mum”, asked Mini, “We like your stories very much and can t sleep without them.”
“All right”, the squirrel agreed, “I' ll tell you the story about the foolish baby tiger and the hedgehog.”
Once the baby tiger walked about the forest and met the hedgehog.
“Hey!” the baby shouted. “Stop! Who are you? ”“I 'm a hedgehog. Glad to meet you. But I m busy and must go.”
“No, now I 'll catch and eat you.”
“Well, you can try, foolish tiger”, the hedgehog said and became as a prickly ball.
The baby tiger tried to catch the hedgehog with its teeth, it pushed the animal with its paws, but it could do nothing. The baby pricked, began to cry and then it ran to its mother.
The hedgehog went farther. Soon it met its friend, another hedgehog.
“Hello! ” said its friend. “How are you today? ”“I'm fine, ” the hedgehog answered. “Today I accomplished a feat. I conquered a large tiger. It cried and ran away from me.”
“Really? ”
“Of course. You know I never say untruth”.
After a few days the all animals in the forest knew about the hedgehog, the hero, who could conquer a lot of gigantic tigers.
“I dislike this story”, said Tini. “Poor baby tiger! I m sorry for it!Tell us another story.”
“Do you want another story? ” the squirrel was surprised.
“Certainly, we do”, Mini supported its brother.
Oh, my goodness! O.K., I' ll tell you the story about a kind gnome. But it will be the last story for today.
Long ago, in the winter daytime an old gnome picked cones in the forest. He was a magician and needed the cones for his magic powder, which could treat for all illnesses.
Suddenly the gnome heard the quiet rustle. Having looked back, he hid behind the nearest fir quickly.
Soon a white hare ran to this fir. The hare was very sad. It looked at the fir's branches with icicles and said, “Where can I find food for my babies? They are so hungry, but I can't feed them. Oh, if there was a kind magician in the forest, he would turn these icicles into carrots and my babies would be satisfied. But it s only my dream, it's impossible...”
“You are not right! ” the gnome said, coming to the hare. “I can help you.”
After that he took a handkerchief from his pocket and waved it twice. At that very moment the icicles disappeared from the fir' s branches and a sack with carrots emerged near the fir.
The hare rejoiced, “Thank you very much, kind magician! ” Then it took the sack and went to its babies.The gnome was very content with himself and also went home.
When the squirrel ended its story, Tini and Mini had a deep sleep.
“Good night, my dear kiddies! ” the squirrel whispered and covered them with the blanket. “Have a nice dream! ”