2103 slov / 11 minút

Bol raz jeden krtko menom Števo. Žil v útulnej podzemnej nore na okraji veľkej lúky plnej krásnych slnečníc. Števo nebol obyčajný krtko. Bol väčší než ostatní krtkovia, mal strapatú srsť, ktorá mu vždy trčala do všetkých strán, akoby práve vstal z postele. Jeho najlepším kamarátom bol zajko Hopko, ktorý býval v neďalekom lese.

Jedného jesenného rána sa Števo zobudil celý natešený. Dnes mal totiž narodeniny! Celý nedočkavý vyskočil z postele a pozrel sa do zrkadla. Jeho strapatá srsť bola ešte strapatejšia ako zvyčajne.

„Jéééj!“ zvolal Števo. „Vyzerám ako ježko! Ale to nevadí, veď sú to moje narodeniny!“

Števo sa rýchlo umyl, učesal si fúzy (na strapatú srsť sa ani nepokúšal) a vybehol von zo svojej nory. Vonku ho čakalo prekvapenie. Jeho kamarát zajko Hopko stál pred vchodom do nory a v labkách držal obrovský farebný balón.

„Všetko najlepšie k narodeninám, Števo!“ zakričal Hopko a podal krtkovi balón.

Števo sa od radosti celý rozžiaril. „Ďakujem, Hopko! To je ten najkrajší balón, aký som kedy videl!“

Balón bol naozaj nádherný. Bol veľký ako Števo a žiaril všetkými farbami dúhy. Krtko ho pevne chytil za šnúrku a spokojne sa na neho pozeral.

„A to nie je všetko,“ povedal Hopko s tajomným úsmevom. „Mám pre teba ešte jedno prekvapenie. Poď so mnou!“

Števo celý zvedavý nasledoval Hopka cez lúku plnú slnečníc. Slnečnice boli také vysoké, že ich hlavy sa týčili vysoko nad nimi a vytvárali nad nimi zlatistú strechu. Ako tak kráčali, Števo zrazu zakopol o kameň a pustil šnúrku balóna.

„Ó nie!“ vykríkol Števo. „Môj krásny balón!“

Ale nestalo sa nič hrozné. Balón síce vyletel do vzduchu, ale zostal visieť medzi slnečnicami. Števo a Hopko sa na seba pozreli a vybuchli do hlasného smiechu.

„No teda, Števo,“ chichotal sa Hopko, „tvoj balón sa asi rozhodol urobiť si malý výlet!“

Števo sa tiež smial. „Asi sa mu zapáčilo medzi slnečnicami. Ale ako ho teraz dostaneme dole?“

„Hmm,“ zamyslel sa Hopko. „Čo keby sme použili túto loptu?“ Vytiahol spoza chrbta malú gumenú loptičku.

„Skvelý nápad!“ zvolal Števo. „Skúsime balón trafiť loptou a zhodiť ho dole.“

Hopko sa zaprel do zeme a hodil loptu smerom k balónu. Lopta letela vysoko… ale minula balón o dobrý meter.

„Ups,“ povedal Hopko. „Možno by si to mal skúsiť ty, Števo. Predsa len, sú to tvoje narodeniny.“

Števo vzal loptu, zamieril a hodil. Lopta letela priamo k balónu… a odrazila sa od neho! Balón sa jemne zakolísal, ale zostal visieť medzi slnečnicami.

„Ach jaj,“ vzdychol si Števo. „Čo teraz?“

V tom momente sa objavil malý vtáčik. Pozrel sa na krtka a zajka, potom na balón a loptu.

„Ahojte, kamaráti!“ zašvitoril. „Vyzerá to, že potrebujete pomoc.“

„Áno, prosím!“ zvolali Števo a Hopko naraz.

Vtáčik sa vzniesol do vzduchu, zobákom jemne ťukol do balóna a ten sa pomaly začal znášať k zemi. Števo ho šťastne chytil.

„Ďakujeme ti, vtáčik!“ povedal Števo. „Zachránil si môj narodeninový balón.“

„To nič nie je,“ odpovedal vtáčik. „Rád som pomohol. Mimochodom, všetko najlepšie k narodeninám!“

A s tým vtáčik odletel preč. Števo a Hopko pokračovali v ceste, tentoraz s balónom bezpečne priviazaným k Števovmu zápästiu.

Po chvíli prišli na malú čistinku uprostred lesa. Števo nemohol uveriť vlastným očiam. Na čistinke bolo rozložené obrovské piknikové prestieranie a na ňom sedeli všetci jeho kamaráti! Boli tam zajačiky, veveričky, ježkovia, ba dokonca aj malá líštička.

„Prekvapenie!“ zakričali všetci naraz. „Všetko najlepšie, Števo!“

Števo bol taký šťastný, že sa mu do očí nahrnuli slzy radosti. „Ďakujem vám, kamaráti! Toto je ten najkrajší darček, aký som kedy dostal!“

Všetci sa usadili na prestieranie a začali oslavovať. Jedli koláčiky z orechov a lesných plodov, pili šťavu z čerstvých jabĺk a hrali rôzne hry. Števo sa nemohol prestať usmievať.

Keď prišiel čas na darčeky, Števo bol ešte viac prekvapený. Každý z jeho kamarátov mu priniesol niečo špeciálne. Od veveričiek dostal novú hračku – malý drevený vláčik, ktorý samy vyrezali. Ježkovia mu darovali teplý šál na zimu. A líštička mu priniesla krásnu knihu rozprávok.

Ako sa blížil večer, Števo si uvedomil, že toto boli tie najlepšie narodeniny v jeho živote. Bol obklopený priateľmi, mal plné bruško dobrôt a kopu krásnych darčekov. A samozrejme, svoj nový, veľký, farebný balón.

Keď sa všetci chystali domov, Hopko prišiel k Števovi s ďalším prekvapením. „Hej, Števo,“ povedal, „čo keby sme zajtra išli na výlet? Mohli by sme ísť k rieke a vyskúšať tvoj nový drevený vláčik.“

Števove oči sa rozžiarili. „To znie úžasne, Hopko! Nemôžem sa dočkať!“

Tú noc Števo zaspal s úsmevom na tvári, tešiac sa na ďalšie dobrodružstvá, ktoré ho čakajú.

Nasledujúce ráno sa Števo zobudil skoro. Slnko ešte len vychádzalo a jeho lúče sa predierali cez jesenné lístie stromov. Števo si obliekol svoju novú šatku od ježkov, vzal si drevený vláčik a balón a vydal sa na cestu k Hopkovmu domčeku.

Hopko už naňho čakal pred svojou norou, v labkách držal malý batôžtek. „Ahoj, Števo!“ zavolal veselo. „Si pripravený na náš veľký výlet?“

„Jasné, že som!“ odpovedal Števo nadšene. „Kam presne ideme?“

„K Žblnkotavému potoku,“ povedal Hopko. „Je to kúsok za lesom. Cestou sa môžeme zastaviť na Malinových kopcoch a nazbierať si nejaké malinky na desiatu.“

A tak sa naši dvaja kamaráti vydali na cestu. Kráčali cez les, obdivujúc krásne jesenné farby. Listy na stromoch hrali všetkými odtieňmi žltej, oranžovej a červenej. Števo držal svoj balón pevne v labke, aby mu zasa neuletel.

Keď prišli k Malinovým kopcom, Števo a Hopko sa pustili do zbierania malín. Zrazu Števo zbadal obzvlášť veľkú a šťavnatú malinu na vysokom kríku.

„Pozri, Hopko!“ zvolal. „Tá malina je skoro taká veľká ako moja hlava!“

Števo sa načiahol, aby malinu odtrhol, ale kríky boli príliš vysoké. Ani keď sa postavil na špičky, nedočiahol na ňu.

„Počkaj, mám nápad!“ povedal Hopko. „Čo keby si sa chytil svojho balóna a ja by som ťa trochu nadvihol? Možno by si tak dočiahol na tú malinu.“

Števovi sa táto myšlienka veľmi páčila. Chytil sa pevne šnúrky balóna a Hopko ho chytil za nohy a začal dvíhať.

„Vyššie, Hopko! Ešte trochu vyššie!“ povzbudzoval ho Števo.

Hopko sa snažil zo všetkých síl, ale zrazu… PRÁSK! Balón praskol a Števo spadol rovno do kríka s malinami.

„Jáááj!“ vykríkol Števo, keď sa vynoril z kríka. Jeho strapatá srsť bola teraz plná malín a lístia. Vyzeral ako chodiac ovocný šalát.

Hopko sa nemohol ubrániť smiechu. „Prepáč, Števo,“ chichocel sa, „ale vyzeráš tak smiešne!“

Števo sa najprv zamračil, ale keď sa pozrel na svoj odraz v mláke neďaleko, tiež sa rozosmial. „No teda,“ povedal medzi výbuchmi smiechu, „vyzerám ako nejaké čudné lesné strašidlo!“

Obaja kamaráti sa dlho smiali, až im z toho boleli bruchá. Keď sa konečne upokojili, Hopko pomohol Števovi vyčistiť srsť od malín a lístia.

„No, aspoň máme dosť malín na desiatu,“ poznamenal Števo, ukazujúc na svoju srsť, ktorá bola stále trochu ružová od malinového džúsu.

S plnými bruškami malín pokračovali v ceste k Žblnkotavému potoku. Keď tam konečne dorazili, boli ohromení krásou tohto miesta. Potok žblnkotal cez kamene a vytváral malé vodopády. Okolo rástli vysoké trávy a krásne lúčne kvety.

„Páni!“ vydýchol Števo. „Je to tu nádherné!“

„To teda je,“ súhlasil Hopko. „A pozri sa na tú vodu. Je taká číra, že vidíš až na dno!“

Števo vytiahol svoj drevený vláčik. „Čo keby sme ho vyskúšali?“ navrhol.

Našli si pekné miesto na brehu potoka, kde voda tiekla pomaly a kľudne. Števo opatrne položil vláčik na vodu a jemne ho postrčil. Vláčik sa pomaly začal plaviť po prúde.

„Funguje!“ zvolal Števo nadšene. „Pozri, Hopko, ako krásne pláva!“

Obaja kamaráti bežali pozdĺž brehu, sledujúc, ako vláčik pláva po vode. Zrazu vláčik narazil na malý kameň a zasekol sa.

„Ó nie!“ zvolal Števo. „Musíme ho zachrániť!“

Hopko sa rozhliadol okolo a zbadal dlhý konár. „Počkaj, skúsim ho dostať týmto konárom,“ povedal.

Natiahol sa s konárom nad vodu, snažiac sa zachytiť vláčik. Ale konár bol príliš krátky.

„Nevadí,“ povedal Števo. „Skúsim to ja. Som predsa krtko, viem sa dobre hrabať.“

Števo začal hrabať malý tunel popri brehu potoka, smerom k miestu, kde bol zaseknutý vláčik. Keď sa dostal dostatočne blízko, opatrne natiahol labku a chytil vláčik.

„Mám ho!“ zvolal víťazoslávne.

Ale v tom momente sa breh pod ním zosypal a Števo skončil vo vode!

„Pomóóóc!“ kričal Števo, mávajúc labkami. „Neviem plávať!“

Hopko neváhal ani sekundu. Skočil do vody a plával k svojmu kamarátovi. Chytil Števa za labku a spolu s ním aj vláčik, a vytiahol ich na breh.

Števo ležal na brehu, celý premočený a zadychčaný. Jeho strapatá srsť bola teraz úplne mokrá a priliepala sa mu k telu. Vyzeral ako malý, premočený chumáčik.

„Ďakujem ti, Hopko,“ povedal Števo, stále trochu zadychčaný. „Zachránil si mi život!“

Hopko sa usmial a objal svojho premočeného kamaráta. „To predsa robia priatelia,“ povedal. „A okrem toho, nemohol som dovoliť, aby si sa utopil na svoj povolebný deň!“

Obaja sa zasmiali, ale potom Števo začal kýchať. „Ačí! Ačí! Ačííí!“

„Ó jéj,“ povedal Hopko ustarostene. „Musíme ťa rýchlo usušiť, inak prechladneš.“

Rozhliadli sa okolo a zbadali malú jaskyňu neďaleko potoka.

„Poď,“ povedal Hopko, „schováme sa tam a počkáme, kým uschneš.“

V jaskyni našli suché miesto a Hopko začal zbierať suché lístie a vetvičky, aby vytvoril pre Števa teplé, suché hniezdo. Števo sa zatiaľ snažil vyžmýkať vodu zo svojej strapatej srsti.

„Pozri sa na seba,“ zasmial sa Hopko, keď sa otočil a videl Števa. „Vyzeráš ako mokrý strapatý mop!“

Števo sa pozrel na svoj odraz v mláke pri vchode do jaskyne a tiež sa rozosmial. Jeho srsť trčala do všetkých strán ešte viac ako zvyčajne, ako keby ho niekto práve vytiahol z práčky.

„No teda,“ chichokal sa Števo, „vyzerám ako by ma práve prežula a vypľula nejaká obrovská ryba!“

Obaja kamaráti sa smiali, až im z očí tiekli slzy. Smiech ich hrial a pomáhal zabudnúť na ich mokré dobrodružstvo.

Keď sa konečne upokojili, Hopko dokončil suché hniezdo pre Števa.

„Tu máš,“ povedal, „zalez si dnu a zohrej sa. Ja zatiaľ skúsim nájsť niečo na jedenie.“

Števo vďačne vliezol do hniezda. Bolo teplé a pohodlné a on cítil, ako sa mu pomaly vracia teplo do tela.

Hopko sa vrátil o chvíľu neskôr s plnou náručou lesných plodov a orechov. „Pozri, čo som našiel!“ zvolal nadšene. „Máme hostinu!“

Spolu si pochutnávali na lesných dobrotách, kým čakali, až Števo uschne. Rozprávali sa a smiali sa, spomínajúc na všetky bláznivé veci, ktoré sa im stali počas tohto výletu.

„Vieš čo, Hopko?“ povedal Števo po chvíli. „Aj keď sa mi stalo toľko nešťastných vecí – praskol mi balón, spadol som do kríkov s malinami a takmer som sa utopil – stále si myslím, že toto je jeden z najlepších dní môjho života.“

Hopko sa na neho prekvapene pozrel. „Naozaj? Prečo?“

Števo sa usmial. „Pretože som ho strávil s tebou, svojím najlepším kamarátom. A pretože som sa naučil, že aj keď sa veci nepodaria tak, ako sme plánovali, stále môžu byť zábavné a dobrodružné.“

Hopko bol dojatý Števovými slovami. „Máš pravdu, Števo,“ povedal. „Nie je dôležité, čo sa nám stane, ale to, že sme spolu a môžeme sa na tom zasmiať.“

Keď Števo konečne uschol (aj keď jeho srsť zostala strapatá ako vždy), rozhodli sa, že je čas vrátiť sa domov. Cestou späť si spievali veselé piesne a vymýšľali nové vtipy o svojich dobrodružstvách.

Keď dorazili k Števovej nore, slnko už zapadalo a farbilo oblohu do krásnych odtieňov oranžovej a ružovej.

„Ďakujem ti za tento úžasný deň, Hopko,“ povedal Števo, objímajúc svojho kamaráta. „Bol to ten najlepší povolebný darček, aký som si mohol priať.“

Hopko sa usmial. „Niet za čo, Števo. A pamätaj, že nezáleží na tom, koľko balónov praskne alebo koľkokrát spadneš do potoka. Vždy budem tu, aby som ti pomohol a zasmial sa s tebou.“

S týmito slovami sa rozlúčili a Števo vliezol do svojej nory. Bol unavený, ale šťastný. Položil svoj drevený vláčik (ktorý prežil všetky ich dobrodružstvá) na poličku vedľa postele a zachumlal sa do svojej novej šatky od ježkov.

Ako zatváral oči, spomenul si na všetky bláznivé veci, ktoré sa mu stali za posledné dva dni – jeho narodeniny, prasknutý balón, pád do malín, takmer utopenie sa v potoku. Ale namiesto toho, aby bol smutný alebo nahnevaný, Števo sa usmial. Pretože vedel, že práve tieto nečakané dobrodružstvá a smiešne momenty robia život zaujímavým a zábavným. A čo je najdôležitejšie, mal priateľov, s ktorými sa mohol na tom všetkom zasmiať.

S týmito šťastnými myšlienkami Števo zaspal, snívajúc o ďalších dobrodružstvách, ktoré ho ešte len čakajú. A aj keď jeho srsť bola stále strapatá a trochu ružová od malín, jeho srdce bolo plné radosti a vďačnosti za všetky krásne momenty, ktoré zažil.

Tak skončil Števov bláznivý povolebný výlet, ale jeho dobrodružstvá určite nekončia. Pretože tam, kde je priateľstvo, smiech a trochu strapastosti, tam je vždy priestor pre nové, vzrušujúce zážitky. A kto vie? Možno už zajtra čaká na Števa a Hopka ďalšie bláznivé dobrodružstvo. Ale to už je iný príbeh…

Mole Steve and His Crazy Adventure

2407 words / 13 minutes

Once upon a time, there was a mole named Steve. He lived in a cozy underground burrow at the edge of a large meadow full of beautiful sunflowers. Steve wasn’t an ordinary mole. He was bigger than the other moles, he had messy fur that always stuck out in all directions, as if he had just gotten out of bed. His best friend was Hoppy the rabbit, who lived in the nearby forest.

One autumn morning, Steve woke up all excited. It was his birthday! Eagerly, he jumped out of bed and looked in the mirror. His messy fur was even messier than usual.

„Wow!“ exclaimed Steve. „I look like a hedgehog! But that doesn’t matter, it’s my birthday after all!“

Steve quickly washed up, combed his whiskers (he didn’t even attempt to tame his messy fur), and ran out of his burrow. Outside, a surprise was waiting for him. His friend Hoppy the rabbit was standing in front of the burrow entrance, holding an enormous colorful balloon in his paws.

„Happy birthday, Steve!“ shouted Hoppy and handed the balloon to the mole.

Steve’s face lit up with joy. „Thank you, Hoppy! This is the most beautiful balloon I’ve ever seen!“

The balloon was truly magnificent. It was as big as Steve and shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow. The mole held the string tightly and gazed at it contentedly.

„And that’s not all,“ said Hoppy with a mysterious smile. „I have one more surprise for you. Come with me!“

Steve, full of curiosity, followed Hoppy across the meadow full of sunflowers. The sunflowers were so tall that their heads towered high above them, creating a golden roof over their heads. As they were walking, Steve suddenly tripped over a stone and let go of the balloon string.

„Oh no!“ cried Steve. „My beautiful balloon!“

But nothing terrible happened. The balloon did fly up into the air, but it got stuck between the sunflowers. Steve and Hoppy looked at each other and burst into loud laughter.

„Well, Steve,“ chuckled Hoppy, „looks like your balloon decided to take a little trip of its own!“

Steve was laughing too. „I guess it liked it among the sunflowers. But how are we going to get it down now?“

„Hmm,“ Hoppy pondered. „What if we used this ball?“ He pulled out a small rubber ball from behind his back.

„Great idea!“ exclaimed Steve. „We’ll try to hit the balloon with the ball and knock it down.“

Hoppy braced himself and threw the ball towards the balloon. The ball flew high… but missed the balloon by a good meter.

„Oops,“ said Hoppy. „Maybe you should try, Steve. After all, it’s your birthday.“

Steve took the ball, aimed, and threw. The ball flew straight at the balloon… and bounced off it! The balloon gently swayed but remained hanging between the sunflowers.

„Oh dear,“ sighed Steve. „What now?“

At that moment, a small bird appeared. It looked at the mole and the rabbit, then at the balloon and the ball.

„Hello, friends!“ chirped the bird. „Looks like you need some help.“

„Yes, please!“ Steve and Hoppy cried out in unison.

The bird flew up into the air, gently pecked at the balloon with its beak, and the balloon slowly started to descend. Steve happily caught it.

„Thank you, bird!“ said Steve. „You saved my birthday balloon.“

„It’s nothing,“ replied the bird. „I’m glad I could help. By the way, happy birthday!“

And with that, the bird flew away. Steve and Hoppy continued on their way, this time with the balloon safely tied to Steve’s wrist.

After a while, they came to a small clearing in the middle of the forest. Steve couldn’t believe his eyes. A huge picnic blanket was spread out on the clearing, and all his friends were sitting on it! There were bunnies, squirrels, hedgehogs, and even a small fox.

„Surprise!“ they all shouted at once. „Happy birthday, Steve!“

Steve was so happy that tears of joy welled up in his eyes. „Thank you, friends! This is the best gift I’ve ever received!“

Everyone sat down on the blanket and started celebrating. They ate cakes made of nuts and forest berries, drank fresh apple juice, and played various games. Steve couldn’t stop smiling.

When it was time for presents, Steve was even more surprised. Each of his friends had brought him something special. From the squirrels, he got a new toy – a small wooden train that they had carved themselves. The hedgehogs gave him a warm scarf for the winter. And the little fox brought him a beautiful storybook.

As evening approached, Steve realized that these were the best birthday celebrations of his life. He was surrounded by friends, had a full belly of treats, and a pile of beautiful gifts. And of course, his new, big, colorful balloon.

As everyone was getting ready to go home, Hoppy came to Steve with another surprise. „Hey, Steve,“ he said, „what if we went on a trip tomorrow? We could go to the river and try out your new wooden train.“

Steve’s eyes lit up. „That sounds amazing, Hoppy! I can’t wait!“

That night, Steve fell asleep with a smile on his face, looking forward to more adventures awaiting him.

The next morning, Steve woke up early. The sun was just rising, and its rays were breaking through the autumn leaves of the trees. Steve put on his new scarf from the hedgehogs, took his wooden train and balloon, and set off towards Hoppy’s house.

Hoppy was already waiting for him in front of his burrow, holding a small backpack in his paws. „Hi, Steve!“ he called cheerfully. „Are you ready for our big trip?“

„Of course I am!“ Steve replied enthusiastically. „Where exactly are we going?“

„To Bubbling Brook,“ said Hoppy. „It’s just beyond the forest. On the way, we can stop at Raspberry Hills and pick some raspberries for a snack.“

And so our two friends set off on their journey. They walked through the forest, admiring the beautiful autumn colors. The leaves on the trees were playing with all shades of yellow, orange, and red. Steve held his balloon tightly in his paw to prevent it from flying away again.

When they reached Raspberry Hills, Steve and Hoppy started picking raspberries. Suddenly, Steve spotted an especially large and juicy raspberry on a high bush.

„Look, Hoppy!“ he exclaimed. „That raspberry is almost as big as my head!“

Steve reached out to pick the raspberry, but the bushes were too tall. Even when he stood on his tiptoes, he couldn’t reach it.

„Wait, I have an idea!“ said Hoppy. „What if you held onto your balloon and I lifted you up a bit? Maybe then you could reach that raspberry.“

Steve liked this idea very much. He held tightly onto the balloon string, and Hoppy grabbed him by the feet and started lifting.

„Higher, Hoppy! A little bit higher!“ Steve encouraged him.

Hoppy tried his best, but suddenly… POP! The balloon burst, and Steve fell right into the raspberry bush.

„Ouch!“ cried Steve as he emerged from the bush. His messy fur was now full of raspberries and leaves. He looked like a walking fruit salad.

Hoppy couldn’t help but laugh. „Sorry, Steve,“ he chuckled, „but you look so funny!“

Steve frowned at first, but when he saw his reflection in a puddle nearby, he started laughing too. „Well,“ he said between bursts of laughter, „I look like some weird forest monster!“

Both friends laughed for a long time until their stomachs hurt. When they finally calmed down, Hoppy helped Steve clean the raspberries and leaves out of his fur.

„Well, at least we have enough raspberries for a snack,“ remarked Steve, pointing at his fur, which was still a bit pink from raspberry juice.

With full bellies of raspberries, they continued their journey to Bubbling Brook. When they finally arrived, they were amazed by the beauty of the place. The brook bubbled over stones, creating small waterfalls. Tall grasses and beautiful meadow flowers grew around it.

„Wow!“ breathed Steve. „It’s beautiful here!“

„It sure is,“ agreed Hoppy. „And look at that water. It’s so clear you can see right to the bottom!“

Steve took out his wooden train. „What if we tried it out?“ he suggested.

They found a nice spot on the bank of the brook where the water was flowing slowly and calmly. Steve carefully placed the train on the water and gently pushed it. The train slowly started to float downstream.

„It works!“ Steve exclaimed excitedly. „Look, Hoppy, how beautifully it floats!“

Both friends ran along the bank, watching as the train floated on the water. Suddenly, the train hit a small rock and got stuck.

„Oh no!“ cried Steve. „We have to save it!“

Hoppy looked around and spotted a long branch. „Wait, I’ll try to get it with this branch,“ he said.

He reached out over the water with the branch, trying to catch the train. But the branch was too short.

„Never mind,“ said Steve. „I’ll try. I’m a mole after all, I’m good at digging.“

Steve started digging a small tunnel along the bank of the brook, towards the spot where the train was stuck. When he got close enough, he carefully reached out his paw and grabbed the train.

„I’ve got it!“ he shouted triumphantly.

But at that moment, the bank beneath him collapsed, and Steve ended up in the water!

„Help!“ Steve cried, waving his paws. „I can’t swim!“

Hoppy didn’t hesitate for a second. He jumped into the water and swam towards his friend. He grabbed Steve’s paw, along with the train, and pulled them to the shore.

Steve lay on the bank, all wet and out of breath. His messy fur was now completely soaked and sticking to his body. He looked like a small, drenched little puffball.

„Thank you, Hoppy,“ said Steve, still a bit breathless. „You saved my life!“

Hoppy smiled and hugged his wet friend. „That’s what friends do,“ he said. „Besides, I couldn’t let you drown on your post-birthday day!“

They both laughed, but then Steve started sneezing. „Achoo! Achoo! Achooo!“

„Oh dear,“ said Hoppy worriedly. „We need to dry you quickly, or you’ll catch a cold.“

They looked around and spotted a small cave near the brook.

„Come on,“ said Hoppy, „let’s hide there and wait until you dry off.“

In the cave, they found a dry spot, and Hoppy started collecting dry leaves and twigs to create a warm, dry nest for Steve. Meanwhile, Steve tried to wring the water out of his messy fur.

„Look at yourself,“ laughed Hoppy when he turned and saw Steve. „You look like a wet, messy mop!“

Steve looked at his reflection in a puddle near the cave entrance and laughed too. His fur was sticking out in all directions even more than usual, as if someone had just pulled him out of a washing machine.

„Well,“ chuckled Steve, „I look like I’ve just been chewed up and spit out by some giant fish!“

Both friends laughed until tears streamed from their eyes. The laughter warmed them and helped them forget about their wet adventure.

When they finally calmed down, Hoppy finished the dry nest for Steve.

„Here you go,“ he said, „crawl in and warm up. I’ll try to find something to eat in the meantime.“

Steve gratefully crawled into the nest. It was warm and comfortable, and he could feel the warmth slowly returning to his body.

Hoppy returned a moment later with an armful of forest berries and nuts. „Look what I found!“ he exclaimed excitedly. „We have a feast!“

Together they enjoyed the forest treats while waiting for Steve to dry off. They talked and laughed, remembering all the crazy things that had happened to them during this trip.

„You know what, Hoppy?“ said Steve after a while. „Even though so many unfortunate things happened to me – my balloon popped, I fell into raspberry bushes, and I almost drowned – I still think this is one of the best days of my life.“

Hoppy looked at him in surprise. „Really? Why?“

Steve smiled. „Because I spent it with you, my best friend. And because I learned that even when things don’t go as planned, they can still be fun and adventurous.“

Hoppy was touched by Steve’s words. „You’re right, Steve,“ he said. „It’s not important what happens to us, but that we’re together and can laugh about it.“

When Steve finally dried off (although his fur remained messy as always), they decided it was time to head home. On the way back, they sang cheerful songs and made up new jokes about their adventures.

When they arrived at Steve’s burrow, the sun was already setting, painting the sky in beautiful shades of orange and pink.

„Thank you for this amazing day, Hoppy,“ said Steve, hugging his friend. „It was the best post-birthday gift I could have wished for.“

Hoppy smiled. „You’re welcome, Steve. And remember, it doesn’t matter how many balloons pop or how many times you fall into a brook. I’ll always be here to help you and laugh with you.“

With these words, they said goodbye, and Steve crawled into his burrow. He was tired but happy. He placed his wooden train (which had survived all their adventures) on a shelf next to his bed and snuggled into his new scarf from the hedgehogs.

As he closed his eyes, he remembered all the crazy things that had happened to him over the last two days – his birthday, the popped balloon, falling into raspberries, almost drowning in the brook. But instead of being sad or angry, Steve smiled. Because he knew that it was these unexpected adventures and funny moments that make life interesting and fun. And most importantly, he had friends with whom he could laugh about it all.

With these happy thoughts, Steve fell asleep, dreaming of more adventures yet to come. And even though his fur was still messy and a bit pink from raspberries, his heart was full of joy and gratitude for all the beautiful moments he had experienced.

And so ended Steve’s crazy post-birthday trip, but his adventures certainly don’t end here. Because where there’s friendship, laughter, and a bit of messiness, there’s always room for new, exciting experiences. And who knows? Maybe tomorrow, another crazy adventure awaits Steve and Hoppy. But that’s another story…