The Little Round Bun

Once an old grandmother baked a little round bun called Kolobok. She set him on the windowsill to cool, but Kolobok was so full of bounce that he rolled off and out the door, singing a merry song.

"I rolled from Grandma, I rolled from Grandpa, and I'll roll away from you!" he sang as he bounced down the path.

He met a hare. "I could nibble you!" said the hare. But clever Kolobok sang his song and rolled right on by. He met a wolf, then a big sleepy bear, and each time he sang his tune and rolled merrily away. Kolobok began to feel very pleased with himself.

Then he met a fox with a soft, friendly voice. "What a lovely song!" she said. "But I am a little hard of hearing. Come closer and sing it again." Kolobok hopped nearer, feeling proud.

Just then the fox scooped him up gently in her paws, but only to give him a little fright. "Little bun," she laughed kindly, "it is good to be clever, but not to boast." And she set him softly back on the grass.

Kolobok rolled all the way home, right back to Grandma's warm kitchen. She popped him on a cozy plate, and there he rested, happy and safe, as the evening grew quiet and sleepy.