Picnic by Daria Kravchenko

One day, Little Mushroom decided to go on a picnic. She was a bit sad because she didn’t know anyone in the forest and there was no one to join her.

Nevertheless, she was very enthusiastic. She loved spending time in the forest and was really excited to explore the forest more.

After walking for a while she heard someone screaming for help. She looked around and in the river ahead of her saw a tiny mouse barely staying afloat,

Little Mushroom rushed to her aid. She found a large stick laying around and got the exhausted mouse out of the river.

Little Mouse was soaked, terrified but also incredibly thankful to her savior. She was warming herlsef in front of the fire when she noticed the huge backpack Little Mushroom was carrying.

“Are you going somewhere? You are carrying such a big packpack” asked little Mouse.

“Actually, I was planning to have a picnic and I’ve got all sorts of food in here ! I might have too much of it, though, would you like to share it with me?” replied little Little Mushroom.

After a bit of rest, they continued walking together. Excited for the picnic and delicious food, they were laughing and enjoying each other’s company.

After some time they came across an old hedgehog grumpily stomping away. Puzzled as to what might have happened to make him so mad,, Little Mushroom approached him and asked what’s wrong.

“While I was asleep, all of my apples got stolen and now I’m hungry!” angrily said Mr. Hedgehog.

“Oh, but I have apples and more. We are heading out on a picnic. Would you like to join us?” asked Little Mushroom kindly.

Mr. Hedgehog was really hungry and didn’t have any reason not to join them. He agreed and the three of them continued walking together.

Not long after they were taken by surprise by a loud wailing. Upon coming closer they saw a bear cub crying in front of his burrow. They stopped to ask him what’s wrong.

“I just woke up from my winter sleep. But the rest of my family is not awake yet and I’m so lonely!” cried Bear Boy.

“Well, do you want to join us on our picnic? It will be fun and you won’t be alone anymore” happily suggested Little Mushroom.

Bear Boy wiped away his tears and smiled.

They continued walking, now the four of them.

They were getting deeper into the forest when a female voice called out to them from behind. It was a frog lady trying to catch up with them.

“I heard you all are having a picnic. I can show you the prefect place to have one if you let me join you.”

“Follow me!” - yelped Lady Frog and jumped eagerly to lead the way.

As they had been walking for a while, they gladly accepted Lady Frog’s offer and followed her to the picnic spot.

Finally, they arrived at what looked like a small celebration. The trees were decorated with all sorts of garlands and in the center there stood a large stump.

They were immediately mesmerised by the beauty of the place and started getting food ready for the picnic.

They ate and laughed and had a very good time. So good that when it was time to leave they decided to have another picnic at the same place every week.

And that is the story of how Little Mushroom got to know her neighbours and had a picnic with them just like she’d wished she would.