Kolobok, the Little Round Bread

Once upon a time, Grandfather and Grandmother lived in a warm wooden house beside a birch forest. One day Grandfather asked her to bake a kolobok, a little…

Once upon a time, Grandfather and Grandmother lived in a warm wooden house beside a birch forest. One day Grandfather asked her to bake a kolobok, a little round bread. Grandmother gathered some flour, kneaded a soft dough, rolled it into a ball and baked it until the crust was golden. While she worked, Grandfather helped bring water and clear the flour from the table. Soon such a lovely smell of bread filled the house that they both smiled.

The hot Kolobok lay on the windowsill to cool. A sunbeam warmed his golden side, and he opened his eyes. He greeted Grandfather and Grandmother and asked if he could roll about near the house for a while. “Don't go far, and come back before evening,” they asked. Kolobok promised to be careful. He jumped onto the bench, then onto the little rug, and from there rolled gently down from the porch.

Kolobok rolled along the forest road. Birches rustled on either side, butterflies fluttered above the grass, and puddles from the recent rain glittered ahead. He went around roots and pebbles, took his time at the bends and kept noticing landmarks for the way back: an old stump, a rowan bush and a little bridge. He enjoyed his journey, but he remembered his promise to come home.

By a clearing, Kolobok met a hare. The hare did not mean to hurt him; he was simply surprised by this unusual traveller and asked for a song. Kolobok sang cheerfully about being baked, cooling at the window and setting off along the road. The hare clapped his paws. “What a good song! But the forest gets thicker farther on. Pay attention.” Kolobok thanked his new acquaintance and rolled on.

A fox was sitting by an old stump. She kindly praised his song and asked Kolobok to roll very close. But he remembered Grandfather and Grandmother's request and stayed on the stump, keeping a comfortable distance. “I'll sing from here, and then it's time for me to go home,” he said politely. The fox listened, wished him a pleasant journey and showed him a short way to the familiar rowan. Kolobok reached home before sunset. Grandfather and Grandmother were delighted, and he told them how important it was when travelling to remember promises, notice the way and avoid getting too close to strangers.