The Calf – The Black Belly, White Hooves – A Russian Folk Tale
A Russian folk tale about a little calf who got into trouble but was saved thanks to the help of his faithful friends. A moral story about friendship and mutual aid.
Description: The full version of the Russian folk tale about a little calf who got into trouble but was saved by his friends. A story about friendship and courage.
Once upon a time, there lived a grandfather and a grandmother. They had a little calf. The calf was black with white hooves and had a white spot on his forehead. They called him: The Calf – the black belly, white hooves. The grandfather and the grandmother loved him very much and took good care of him.
One day, the grandfather made a cart for the calf. Now the calf could carry firewood from the forest. In the morning, the grandfather harnessed him to the cart, put some ropes in it, and said:
– Go to the forest, Calf, and collect firewood. But be careful, don’t go too far.
The calf listened and trotted to the forest to start gathering branches. But then he saw a huge bush with dry branches that were perfect for the cart. He went closer, got the cart tangled in the bush, and couldn’t get free. No matter how much he pulled, he couldn’t escape. The calf began to cry:
– Moooo, Grandpa, Grandma, help me!
A fox was passing by. She heard the crying and came closer.
– Who’s crying so bitterly? – she asked.
– It’s me, the Calf – the black belly, white hooves. I got the cart stuck in the bush and can’t get out. Please help me!
The fox laughed:
– I’ll help you, but you have to sing me a song.
The calf sang, and the fox pulled the cart out of the bush. Then she said:
– I’ve helped you, now go, and don’t get into such trouble again.
The calf thanked the fox and trotted on. But soon, he got stuck again, this time in a deep hole. He began crying again:
– Moooo, Grandpa, Grandma, help me!
A wolf was passing by. He saw the calf and asked:
– Who’s crying here?
– It’s me, the Calf – the black belly, white hooves. I’m stuck in a hole and can’t get out. Help me!
The wolf thought for a moment and said:
– I’ll help you if you dance for me.
The calf danced, and the wolf pushed him out of the hole. Then he said:
– Don’t get into trouble again.
The calf thanked the wolf and went on his way. But on the way back, he got caught on a large tree and couldn’t get free again. This time he cried even louder:
– Moooo, Grandpa, Grandma, help me!
A bear was passing by. He saw the calf and asked:
– Who’s shouting here?
– It’s me, the Calf – the black belly, white hooves. I’m stuck and can’t get out. Help me!
The bear growled and said:
– I’ll help you, but first tell me a story.
The calf told the bear a story, and the bear freed him. Then he said:
– Look out, don’t get stuck again.
The calf thanked the bear and went back home. The grandfather and grandmother were happy to see him safe and sound. From then on, the calf became more careful, and his friends were always ready to help him.
Moral: This story teaches us that even in difficult situations, help can always be found. It also reminds us to be thankful for the kindness we receive.
Questions for children:
- Why did the calf get into trouble?
- How did the fox, wolf, and bear help the calf?
- What lesson does this story teach us?
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