In a tiny burrow under an old oak tree lived a little hamster named Timko. He loved collecting acorns, playing hide-and-seek, and making little boats from bark.
One morning, Timko called his friend, a bunny named Vukhatko.
"Look at the boat I made!" Timko said proudly. "It floats just like a real one!"
They set the boat on the stream. It bobbed and swayed on the waves.
"Let me steer!" asked Vukhatko.
"Be careful," said Timko.
Vukhatko took the boat, but he tripped on a pebble. The boat fell and broke in two.
"You broke my boat!" cried Timko. "I worked all day on it!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," whispered Vukhatko.
But Timko turned away and ran home. He sat in his burrow and fumed. Even a tasty nut didn't cheer him up.
That evening, Timko stepped outside. By the stream sat Vukhatko. He held something wooden in his paws.
"What are you doing?" asked Timko.
"I made you a new boat," said Vukhatko softly. "I tried all day. See, I glued on a leaf for a sail."
Timko looked at the boat. It was a little crooked, but it had a pretty green sail.
"And I brought you raspberries," added Vukhatko. "Your favorite."
Timko felt his heart warm. He remembered how he and Vukhatko had picked acorns together last week, how they'd laughed when they fell in a puddle, how Vukhatko had shared honey when Timko had a cold.
"You really tried," said Timko. "The boat is lovely."
"So you're not mad?" asked Vukhatko carefully.
Timko hugged his friend.
"No. I shouldn't have yelled. I'm sorry."
Together they set the new boat on the water. It floated, and the green sail fluttered in the breeze.
"You know," said Timko, "this boat is even better. Because we launched it together."
They sat on the bank until the sun hid behind the trees. Then Timko went to his burrow, and Vukhatko went to his.
Timko lay down on his soft bed of grass. Outside, the leaves rustled. The little hamster smiled and closed his eyes.