Ulri ...A little Frog in Croattia

By

Marcos Waldemar Windman

(*) Translated by Mr . Bruce Marshall... in Sta. Paula California (United States)

robinhood51@excite.com

Ulri, A Little Frog in Croatia

There were other times in the country of Croatia. The countryside was resplendent with green. The sun
embraced all living creatures, work was a source of pride for all who lived there, and attending parties and
gatherings left them happy enough to forget or ignore old sorrows and rivalries. There was a large lake
there, where the silence of winter was giving way to the boisterous resurgence of spring. The croaking of
the frogs, the chirping of the birds, the hiss of the wind that caressed the surface; it was a perfect
symphony for natives and visitors. It was a magnificent place.

Everything resembled a huge condominium. Colonies of frogs, toads, aquatic plants, colored fish, and
millions of insects lived together there for generations. Surrounding this marvelous place was a large forest of
wild spruce trees, the only witnesses to the peace of this blessed place. There lived the young Ulri Miclo with
his family, and nowhere on the lake was there a being more content with life and its enchantments than he
was

His father, Yuri, a hard worker and family man, completed the family. And, of course, his mother Janna. Shy
but elegant, a true mother in every sense of the word. Ruling the intentions of the colony was Don Nicolas
Miclo, his grandfather. He was wiser and older than any other toad in the community. He was president of
the Great Council. It was from its last meeting that he addressed all the animals in the swampy community.

During the winter, the spruce trees lulled each inhabitant of the district to sleep. The springtime meant
days of work, and happiness and boisterousness in the community. But this had been a winter that
wasn’t the same as the others.

And this is the beginning of our story. A huge disturbance jolted the region, and above all the house of
the Miclo family. From his sound slumber, our little friend was startled awake from his winter
hibernation. And he saw his mother at his side, and said, "Mom, is that you? What’s going on, Mom?
I’m a little frightened."

The sweet Janna answered, "I don’t know, son but I’m afraid nothing will ever be the same outside again."

"Mom", he answered, "is there anything beyond the edge of the spruce tree forest?"

His mother didn’t know how to answer. His father came into his son’s bedroom and with his hoarse winter
voice told him, "Son, you are old enough to know what lies beyond the forest of spruce trees."

Immediately mother, father, and son went into the living room of their humble little home and sat at the table.
And his father told him, "What lies beyond the forest of spruce trees is a city."

"A city?" asked little Ulri.

"Human civilization, son. A very long time ago, in this entire area there was a great kingdom. Everything
was happiness, work, and well being. But the heir to the throne and his wife were killed as they were
leaving a party."

"And what happened after that?" answered the curious Ulri.

"There was no more happiness, work, and well-being."

"But why, Dad? Why?"

"Because of hate, hypocrisy, and rancor. And that most negative of traits that man possesses, son.
Greed. It is the worst that you can learn about humans. And greed, son, makes those more powerful
want to crush those who are weaker. Yes, in our kingdom there are differences, but man is much more
aware of them."

"And what’s worse", said Mother Janna, "is that these differences exist in various forms, and they hurt
everything else."

His father continued, "These differences, son are dangerous to everything that inhabits this planet. We
can live with our differences. Or better said, We can live in spite of our differences."

"Man can not", his mother said finally.

Papa Yuri added, "Little Ulri, human civilization is very complicated these days. But, little by little you’re
going to learn more respect for it."

And this is how our young friend, who was anxiously learning about every animal, learned something of
humans. He searched, investigated, and took notes. But there was something different about all this, as
the young toad’s parents guessed.

In the lake, the springtime gave way to the renovation of all the species. The happiness of this resurgence
contrasted with the sadness farther away from the edge of the spruce forest. The pain of war had broken
the humans in two like an immense guillotine. And the city, where in earlier days lovers had once
communed with the sky, had now become a meeting place of journalists and war correspondents. It was
a meeting place of the merchants of horror. Traffickers in despair and misery. The city wasn’t the same.
Where in an earlier time the dialogue of men concerned the Winter Games, in the ancient buildings,
churches, and museums today the only conversation concerned firearms. The mortars and projectiles of
automatic rifles. The city appeared not to be able to escape all this horror.

It wasn’t this way in the swamp community, where the symbiosis was perfect. Ulri met new species and
harvested new friends, young as he was. And this was how, one morning, he met a solitary crane who
came from the south. The crane, on her migratory flight to the north, saw the eyes of a few grasshoppers
in the reeds next to the lake and decided to stop there.

"Hello! Little one! What’s your name? My name is Ulri. Ulri Miclo." A little surprised at not
recognizing the bird, he continued, "And you what are you, and who are you?"

"My name is Lena, and I’m a crane. I’m just passing through, heading for the city."

"City? Did you say city?"

"Yes. Behind this line of spruce trees on the other bank and farther to the horizon there is a city. A very
large city. My mother and father raised me there. We fly to the south, to spend the winter in warmer
climates. I’ve heard that springtime is not the same for cranes if it isn’t spent on a red roof near a
comfortable chimney", Lena answered Ulri.

"I don’t know anything about the city."

And this was how they spent the days, and Ulri’s curiosity was growing. He made other friends who also felt
the same curiosity for human civilization, away from the far bank and the large forest of spruce trees. One
day, they all got together at Ulri’s invitation. There everyone knew each other. Olin, a mixed-breed mouse,
chatty, with a special sense of humor. Stanislas, a rabbit, friend to everyone on the large lake. Then there was
Vladimir, a beaver, lover of nautical activities and, of course, anything that might be an adventure beyond the
opposite shore. And finally there was Dasha, a pigeon that had a great affection for the community, which
had found her abandoned one day.

"Good friends", said Ulri, "this is Lena".

"Friends, little Ulri has told me that you want to know something of where humans live. Yes, we all have
something in common. A burning curiosity to know what is beyond the edge of the line of trees that we can
barely see from here, and also to find out why, since last winter, the sky hasn’t been the same, good friends, I
promise to help in any way I can."

"Why don’t we go visit Drushna, to see how she is, and see if she also wants to join in our enterprise", asked
Dasha.

"The otter Drushna?" asked Olin.

"I don’t believe that she’s in her house after a winter as cold as this one. Yes! I was told that she moved
far from our area." Vladimir said near a large white spruce. "And what if we go to your grandfather’s
house, Ulri? What do you all think?" Nobody voiced an objection.

And this was how that very night the six friends went to Don Nicolas’ house. The important Nicolas,
whom everyone in the area knew, lived on a small island, the result of the sediment left by the work of the
relatives of Vladimir; the beavers. A mountain of logs made a terrace that kept Don Nicolas’ house from
flooding. In fact, the house was next to a large fallen spruce tree and near it was a dam under
construction. And Vladimir, with his immense humor, couldn’t refrain from greeting the other beavers
with a joke "Hello, brothers, putting in some overtime?"

"Hello, Vladimir!" answered Dimitri. "Hello, brother beaver", he replied, and the two wrapped
themselves in an embrace. Vladimir continued speaking. "How’s everything going here?"

"There have been a few new births, and the apprentice school is going well. Now the otters gather roots
for us and we gather needed logs and branches for their homes."

"Oh, I forgot! Do you know anything about the white otter named Drushna?"

"Wasn’t she near the large white spruce tree?", said Dimitri

"I don’t know, the truth is that she moved a long time ago and nobody has seen her since. But everyone
says that she is near the white spruce. How is your shop coming along, friend Vladimir?"

"I have a few projects going, but nothing important. Now I’m with a few friends who want to learn more
about humans and the city, that we can sometimes see beyond the trees."

And soon they found themselves approaching Don Niclo’s house, which was reached by a drawbridge.
On the other side Don Niclo awaited them, since upon seeing them he had lowered the bridge and come
out of his house.

"Hello Grandfather", said Ulri.

"Hello, dear grandson. Come in, come in! You and your friends are welcome here. This is the largest
room that I can offer you."

"Grandfather, I’d like to introduce you to my friends. This is Dasha, the pigeon. Do you remember her?"

"Yes, Ulri. She’s the one who was too young to fly and she stayed with us."

"This is Lena, a crane. She was passing by because she’s going to the city for the spring."

"Hello, young lady. Welcome to our community."

"Olin, a mixed-breed mouse."

"Hello, young man."

"Hello, Don Nico. It’s a pleasure to see you. I see that you are looking quite handsome!"

"Ah, youngster, when are you going to take these years away from me?"

"I believe you already know Vladimir, and last is Stanislaus; a proud rabbit, lover of excursions and
adventures in the community."

"Well, Ulri, what brings you here?"

And everyone responded in unison, "Civilization!"

"Ah, youngsters the city humans they are difficult subjects nowadays. Even more so since
everyone knows that since the last night of winter, the sky stopped being the same."

"Yes", said Ulri, "it is covered with lightning and fire, and a strong odor. It was this odor that woke us up
at home.

"Are the humans that different out there", asked Stanislas.

"Can’t you tell us that, Lena?", asked the grandfather.

"Well, grandfather", said Lena, "I haven’t seen many. And my parents don’t remember them as different
beings. But what I know is that those from the north side of the city are very different from those on the
south side."

"They say there was a time when they were able to live together", replied Stanislas, "but my grandfather’s
grandfather said that there were still differences."

"Yes", said Ulri continuing the thought, "there were other winters and other springs when the sky wasn’t
the same as it is now. The one that I remember from last spring, full of stars in the night and enormous
white clouds in the mornings."

"Well, my children, I’m going to tell you a short story, although your curiosity is greater than your stature. A
long time ago, a long, long time this was a territory of progress. Just as you cranes and pigeons migrate,
human beings have crossed this territory for thousands of years, since antiquity. They looked for the best
places to live, and in many cases, fighting has broken out for domination of the land. In the earliest times,
there was an area of land that man called the "Fertile Crescent". And there were two tribes that were fighting
over the conquest of these fertile lands, after the great rains. For years and years, the riches of this noble earth
and the fruits sowed and harvested here went to the north first. It suddenly stopped, the riches were
destroyed, and the land returned to the domination of the south. Man always fought. Sometimes I think that
it is something in his genes. But the earth was always the thing that lost. Man always sought more and more
from her. Here, now, exactly the same thing is happening. This territory has been a land of crossing, and
those few fertile places have been looked upon with the same bellicose eyes that man has had since antiquity.
This land has always been hostile, but there were wise men that could pacify these places with their
immeasurable good will. Will and dialogue, over all."

"Grandfather, can we go beyond the trees that we can see from here?"

"Yes, you can go, but remember that your lives will never be the same once you see what man calls
‘civilization’ ".

And this was how the six friends said goodbye after the last words of Don Nicolas. "Go, and learn, because
your curiosity is in your heart. And may good sense be with you."

"Goodbye, Grandfather", they all said, and they returned that same night to the Miclo’s home. And there
they surrendered their souls to a sweet sleep.

The next morning arrived in a spectacular way. The sky was blue, and soft breezes caressed the youngest
trees and perfumed the air in the Miclo’s home. The six youngsters found themselves in a clearing in the
woods. There they reflected on the stories and comments that Ulri’s grandfather had made.

"How confused man must be", said Stanislas.

"Yes", said Dasha, "he says more than he does. He proclaims his morality to the four winds. And he doesn’t
remember that he is just another element of creation."

With a nod, Lena added, "My other friends said the same thing. It’s certain that in other places the
coexistance between humans is ideal, but they never think of us."

"Why?" asked Olin.

"Because they have contaminated everything with their factories and large industrial establishments."

"Yes", answered Vladimir, "my brother beavers don’t know what to do when a slight rain of who knows
what burns the trees two days from here. And what will become of them if this same rain falls in the
city?"

But in the city, there is no acid rain. Only the missiles of intolerance, between one and another. The rain
that no one wants, that which consumes everything, which destroys everything. The stores whose shop
windows used to be filled with candies and toys for the joy of children aren’t there any more. In the bars,
where there used to be happy gatherings, today there is only pain and anguish. The desolation and
abandonment runs through every schoolyard. The bell isn't there any more, nor any of the children. The
buildings of city hall, formerly revered for their antiquity and architectural lineage, today stand vacant.
And the few that remain standing are used for an improvised field hospital or as warehouses for
provisions and supplies.

The agony of this city of past Winter Games was so great this spring that few pets remained there. And
the birds that used to adorn the roofs and balconies had left in spite of the spring, to safer areas more to
the north. To the east, at the lake, life was different. Everything was serenity and calm. This afternoon,
Lena, Olin, Vladimir, Ulri, Dasha, and Stanislas sat on an old wharf watching the most beautiful sunset
they had seen in a long time.

"Friends", said Ulri, "let’s look at the possibility of fulfilling our deepest desire. I ask for a vote."

Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes.

"In five days we will gather the provisions for the trip. We will need two days of travel to reach the far
shore, right, Vladimir?"

"Yes, Ulri", said the beaver. And Vladimir added, "We’ll build a boat and gather all the supplies for the
crossing."

With the endeavor defined, and all being in agreement, they sought and secured the assistance of all the
other animals of the community. Everyone put their best efforts into the preparation of the boat and the
supplies it would carry. The apprentice school, under the orders of Dimitri, found on the south coast two
immense pine trees that the fury of a storm had destroyed.

"Nature knows what she is doing, and if she put them there, there must be a reason." said Dimitri.

The squirrels gathered hazelnuts and Stanislas’ cousins brought wild fruits. The Miclo family and the rest
of the community of toads gathered edible green leaves. The bees brought all the honey of winter. In the
end, everyone was working with and helping the explorers.

The big day arrived. The morning arrived after a light fog lifted, the result of the humid environment. The
croaking of the toads and the buzzing of the spiders did not wait for the first thread of sunlight that
penetrated the swampy mirror. By mid-morning, the entire community was lined up along a beautiful
avenue, adorned for the occasion with some lovely colored rocks and pansies in bloom. To seal the
festive air of the community, a band played awaiting the arrival of our young friends. And there they
were, walking all together, like a large family. "Well, Vladimir, where are you taking us?"

"Ah, children, it’s a surprise!"

And the retinue headed toward the end of the avenue. They ended their march in a special place, the fruit
of the imagination of Dimitri and the work of the apprentice school.

"What is this?" said Olin.

"Friend", Olin said to Vladimir, "there were times when my grandfather told my father: ‘The greatest
endeavors start from great places’, remember that. And here it is."

There were two logs along an enormous slope that were submerged in the waters of the lake. Above, and held
by strong pulleys was the boat. Everything was boisterous and happy. In the upper cabin were Dimitri, Ulri,
Vladimir, and Nicolas. Everyone became quiet upon hearing the band, and Don Nicolas spoke.

"As a part of this community, being part of the Great Council, presiding over it by the will of you all and by
the express invitation of my grandson Ulri, we are gathered here to name their boat. From today on, and by
the will of the Creator, this boat will be known as the Spirit of the Explorers."

As a final act, he cut the line that activated the pulley and slowly the Spirit of the Explorers slid down the
rollers to the water of the lake, before the pageantry of the whole community, and the triumphal
agreement of the band. On board were Dasha, Olin, Lena, and Stanislas. A frightened Stanislas said,
"We’re under way."

"Yes", said Lena, "you can open your eyes."

Shortly Vladimir, Ulri, Dimitri, and Nicolas came aboard. Vladimir, who could not conceal his pride at the
magnificence of his completed work, spoke. "What do you think, friends?"

"It’s not too bad", they responded.

"I assure you that it’s unsinkable."

"Oh", responded Lena, "don’t be so smug, Vladimir. Remember the Titanic."

But like all lovers of nautical things, Vladimir continued to be fascinated by the work of his fellow
beavers. And he walked observing every detail, every joint. And he shouted annoyingly, "The ship is
under way!"

And everyone responded, "Vladimir!" It was one more joke. That’s how the first day of the Spirit of the
Explorers ended, with laughter and jokes.

On the next day, the morning found everyone on board, in a modest room with a sign on the door that
said, "Captain’s Quarters".

Lena spoke. "We are here to name Ulri as our Captain. The first officer will be Vladimir, and in charge of the
binnacle will be Stanislas. And Dasha and I will do reconnaissance when the weather doesn’t allow us to see
the course we’ve chosen."

And this was the culmination of the preparations for the sailing of the Spirit of the Explorers. Everyone
went to sleep in their quarters. Except Lena and Dasha who stayed chatting on deck, looking at the stars.
"The truth be known, Lena, this is a beautiful place to live."

"Yes, Dasha, that’s true. And I don’t want to leave it, either. But I need to see some relatives in the city and if
I can help you get there, I will feel very good about it. The crew has been very good to me. There is nothing
more pleasant than to talk to them."

The day arrived. The longed for day of the sailing of the Spirit of the Explorers. The sun invited
everyone to regroup at an early hour. In a silent cortege, the community followed behind the four friends
en route to the pier where Dasha and Lena were waiting. There, Olin, Vladimir, Ulri, and Stanislas said
goodbye. Olin, embraced by his mother and father, said, "Dear family, be calm, because this expedition
will turn out all right." Olin’s mother couldn’t stop holding him. And giving him kisses on his nose.

"Enough, woman", said Olin’s father. "He is a young man. He will return. Don’t cry any more. He will take
care of himself."

Dimitri’s mother said goodbye to Vladimir. "Thank you for coming, ma’am."

"Vladimir, take good care of yourself."

"Yes, ma’am. I will bring you some lovely colored rocks for your burrow."

Stanislas was seen off by a large number of friends and relatives. To his surprise, he saw an old friend.
"Hello, Per", said Stanislas, "What a lovely surprise."

"Where have you been?"

"Well, Stanislas, there are a few new dens, and some excellent reeds two days from this great vessel."

And last, our young captain Ulri. The sweet Janna couldn’t stop crying and keep herself from making last
minute suggestions. "Take care of yourself", said Papa Yuri. And may your eagerness for the truth never fail
you. Take care, and return."

"Yes", added Janna between sobs, "remember that there is nothing like the those who love you, and nothing
like the land that you love."

"I will return, Mother. I will return."

And the last to say goodbye was his grandfather, Nico. They hugged in silence. And between the pride and
the emotion, his grandfather spoke the final words. "Take care, young man, and remember that you are not
alone, and you must always be mindful of the limits of your friends. And know when to call it quits." They
returned to their embrace. Ulri climbed aboard, and with shouts and hurrahs the boarding plank was raised
and the wind and the current started moving the Spirit of the Explorers to its ultimate destination.

As evening fell on this first day, they all gathered on the poop deck. Stanislas took notes of the meeting. As
first officer, he gave the ship’s course.

"Ah, What? What are we doing in a pasture? Are we lost?" said Stanislas somewhat innocently.

"No, Stanislas, don’t worry. Vladimir will give us our course and the route to follow", said Ulri.

Extending an immense map, Vladimir spoke. "We head for the large burned pine tree two day’s voyage from
here."

"What is that", asked Dasha.

Olin answered. "Many years ago there was a huge storm and a lightning bolt fell there. The gray ash of the
bark can be seen from the air and from the other bank. It is a large, solitary pine. By evening, we will
approach the white spruce. There we will see if Drushna lives there and if she is home. This is by the express
request of a relative of hers, since nobody has heard anything from her for quite some time. From there to the
city is one more day’s travel."

The voyage continued uneventfully for the explorers. Happiness and respect was the dominant factor
between the six friends aboard the Spirit of the Explorers. They exchanged work routines, rested, played, and
sang. The jokes and the songs brought a spontaneous smile to each of their faces. Drifting, always drifting.
Olin walked a path between barrels of water. He didn’t see the soap that Stanislas had left on the deck, and
wound up on the floor, soaked, and laughing at himself

"The sea was calm The sea was calm "sang Vladimir, stepping down from the bowsprit and examining a
small crack.

"Volare, oh, oh "sang the little Dasha, a few meters away examining the horizon, and searching for the large
burned pine tree. And imagine his surprise, for as he peered through a light white mist, he found it. A solitary
and immense burned pine tree. Almost split in two, with its blackened insides that gave way to a smoky gray
on the bark. "There it is!" said Dasha. He flew over the site and immediately returned to his friends. The six
explorers gathered on deck to hear the news brought back by Dasha.

"Friends, we have arrived at the first checkpoint. We will gather wild fruits, strawberries, a few bulbs, lichens,
and mushrooms. But be careful not to pick them from ground level. Only those that grow near the tops of the
trees."

And that was how that afternoon, thanks to the skill of Vladimir, they arrived at the second checkpoint. The
six debarked, and to their happiness, found Drushna.

"Drushna, our otter friend", said Vladimir. "How is it going in your new home. We have all missed
you."

"Hello, Vladimir Come in, come in. I haven’t built a whole lot here, but I imagine you are going to
spend the night, right?"

"Allow me to introduce my friends."

"Hello", said everyone.

"Hello", said Drushna.

"This is Olin."

"Glad to meet you."

"In charge of our binnacle is Stanislas."

"A pleasure to meet you, ma’am."

"Our friend the crane, Lena."

"It’s a pleasure, Mrs. Otter."

"And this is Ulri."

"Hello, little one", said Drushna.

"Shhh, shhh, he is our captain."

"Hello, little captain."

Ulri spoke up. "Madam Otter, we are on an expedition to the city."

"Oh, youngsters, it is complicated, but not impossible. The situation is very difficult for everyone. There
are many animals frightened by the war that live there. Those that have escaped have relocated near here,
but I doubt that they will return. I’m afraid, dear Lena, that you won’t like what I’m going to say. All the
wading birds have flown north."

Lena, on hearing this news, started to cry. "Let’s go, Lena", they offered her encouragingly, "hope is the last
thing you should lose."

"But, can it be true, if everyone was alive last spring? Sniff, sniff, sniff."

Lena was calmed by the support offered by her friends. Everyone went to sleep. At the break of dawn, they
set off again, after planning out the second part of their journey. Ulri was seated on a double tackle that
Vladimir used to weigh the anchor, and said to his friends, "We will go in pairs. Lena and Olin to the north of
the city, while Dasha and I go south. We will stay two days and return here. If there is the slightest sense that
something might go wrong we will return to where we anchored."

The journey of the Spirit of the Explorers continued with the start of the second part of the voyage. That very
afternoon they dropped anchor behind some rocks. The friends said goodbye to one another, after some last
words from the little captain. "Friends, up until now I’ve had the privilege of leading a very united group.
I’ve taken note of the cordiality and respect that has always been present between us. This has given us the
strength we’ve needed to face what is to come. I pray that the Great Creator will bring us together here inside
of two days. Stanislas and Vladimir will remain on board."

Wrapped in an orgy of hugging that only true friends can feel and deliver, the six explorers said goodbye to
each other. Dasha and Ulri went to the south, and Lena and Olin took a course to the north. Since the route
was a bit long, Dasha and Ulri started talking about their lives. "And Dasha", Ulri began, "What do you
remember about humans from your life in the city?"

"Well, Ulri, I was very small, but I remember that our home was on the upper part of the porch of a Muslim
home. My parents told me good things about life in the city as I was learning to fly. As I approached full
flight, the autumn trapped me in the middle of the migration. And you know the rest, how I appeared at the
beautiful lake."

"And the humans?" asked Ulri.

"In this part of the city, they were very devout with their customs. Only a few got involved with the problems
with those from the north. You could recognize them because most that I saw wore turbans.

After a while, Lena, and Olin also, had worn out the stories of their lives. Olin asked her if the northern
part of the city was beautiful.

"Yes, Olin, there were quite a few buildings. I lived with my parents over a penthouse that had a beautiful red
roof. There was a type of small hill, which was a preferred place for a bohemian watercolor artist. In the days
of push-cart vendors, my parents and I went down to a beautiful fountain that was in the center of a large
square. The people were very united, and testimony to that were the push-carts. The children ate cookies and
played with their colored balloons, and the city band and the choir from the Orthodox Church put all of this
gaiety into musical time."

On the other side of the woods, they spent their first night. With the first tenuous light of dawn the two
explorers appraised the real state of the city. Astonished, Lena and Olin discovered several enormous
buildings that were destroyed. There was garbage, and bullet holes around every window and doorframe
that they could see.

"But where did everyone go?" asked Lena.

The silence overwhelmed them. And then, remembering the words of Ulri’s grandfather, that their good
instincts should guide them, the two friends called out to each other. "Lena!" "Ulri!"

With a premonition of disaster, the beautiful young crane took flight carrying her small friend, moments
before a mortar shell that would have killed them both exploded nearby. BOOM!

"Thank you, Lena. I never wanted to be a bird before, but this is one time I would have been happy to have
had a pair of wings."

The two of them hid in the rafters of an underground cellar, to protect themselves from a ferocious firefight
between two enemy factions in two beautiful buildings. All the noise was maddening to Olin, who said, "But
these people don’t even realize that all this noise corrupts, and that it alone is enough to drive them mad."

Lena drew him to her and said very slowly, almost whispering too softly to be heard, "Friend, think of the
lake "

And they stayed that way until everything had died down and the humans had left the area. On the other
side of the city, Dasha and Ulri climbed down onto a dry limb that was floating on a small current of
water in a canal that crossed the southern part. It frightened them to see the quantity of trucks, men,
women, and soldiers. And the numbers of sick and wounded, some too weak to stand. And then the
explosions and the rain of fire that seemed to come from the northern part of the city scared them.

Dasha flew off in search of a secure haven and found a large warehouse. Even there, wounded were being
cared for, and it was also serving as a command post for the international press. Out of concern for her friend
Ulri, she returned and found him talking to a large wooly dog. "Oh, Dasha, I was worried about you."

"I was worried about you, too. Who is our new friend?"

"Oh, excuse me. Dasha, this is Otto. Otto, this is my friend Dasha."

"Hi, Otto. Why the long face?"

With a distant gaze, but with the power of truth in his words, Otto commented, "They’ve taken the best that
any city has. The children. They’ve ripped out the green, poisoned the air, destroyed the buildings, and, not
content with that, they’ve taken the children. This is true chaos. Look, Ulri, look Dasha. And they
immediately saw people approaching in three immense groups, on paths lined with red crosses, and two letters
on a sky-blue background. "Have you ever seen anything sadder than that?"

"No, Ulri. And I agree with Otto. This city and these people only will have hope if they can rebuild the green
spaces and bring back the happiness that it once had, with the children that today are gone."

Otto added, "It wasn’t like this last year. Not even last spring. These same mothers, proud to be mothers,
walked by with their children. Today tears are the permanent make-up on their faces. And grandmothers
don’t carry caramels in their purses any more- today only gauze and bandages for some unfortunate soldier
that has fallen wounded, and flowers, for some other that they never knew, and never will know. Friends, is
there anything sadder than these good-byes?"

They stopped in front of the entrance to a church. There, the artificial rain caused by water tanks ruptured
by gunfire gave a needed balm for a pigeon and a toad.

The second morning for Olin and Lena, on the north side of the city, showed fewer signs of hostility.
"Hey, Olin, yesterday before the first explosion, I saw a large bell tower. Want to check it out?"

"Well, if you hold on tight to me and don’t let me fly like a bat!" And off they went. They flew to the bell
tower, and from there they could see the most part of the north of the city.

"Lena, Lena! Isn’t that where you came from?"

"Yes! And there’s the place where I was born." It was a very old house on a small hill, half destroyed by
some kind of shelling or other

"Oh, Olin", said Lena, "I’m dying to know what it’s like inside that place. And if it’s still habitable. Let’s
go over."

With a little trepidation, Olin answered, "Won’t it be dangerous?" They heard a few isolated gunshots
and some whizzing sounds coming from the south.

"OK, Olin, I’ll go. I promise to return." And Lena flew from the old bell tower toward the old hilltop
home. She had the feeling that it was going hold a surprise for her. At least, the most pleasant surprise
that a crane could expect. She lit with angelic grace on the doorframe of the old house and with her
appeared a thread of sunlight. The happy pounding of her heart caused her to be silent. She returned,
distracted, to the bell tower. And much to his surprise, she took Olin to her waist and flew. Olin said,
"Remember, mouse, yes, bat, noooooo!"

They arrived at a large window and saw a pair of cranes, with their newly born baby. Lena looked
perplexed, and Olin spoke up. "Hello, family", and then turned around and looked at Lena, and he said to
her, "Look, Lena, there is always room for hope."

"This is one of the most beautiful family pictures that I’ve seen, but, do I know you? You’re not Eva, are
you?"

"No, I’m Eva’s daughter. This is my husband Tito. We arrived a little early in the city. Tito found this
place, and the war trapped us here. We stayed until Nina, our baby, was able to leave with us. My name
is Irina."

And so chit-chat ended this important day that proved to Lena that behind all the horror she had lived:
there had been a place for a family like that to take shelter, for she had had Nina months earlier. In the
next moment the two were crying with happiness. Along with an emotional Olin.

"Go and tell this story. Stay there where you belong. For with all the fighting that man has done against man,
mother earth and the animals returned to give a new start, with the birth of Nina."

Once again, hope was on the rise. With their time up, the two expeditions became one again. "Boy, you guys
are late!" said Stanislas. "It’s already mid-afternoon, but you have to be back at the clearing in the woods by
nightfall. It’s the only place where we can identify you."

And, as with any encounter, they didn’t shy away from hugs and laughs between friends. Everything was like
a party, far from the horror that they had just passed through and to which they were mute witnesses. Ulri had
a short reunion with all, and gave thanks to the Great Creator for taking care of them.

"And, Ulri, what was your first thought?" asked Vladimir.

"Friends, I believe my grandfather was right. Our lives will never be the same after all we’ve seen. They
don’t need anyone else to end such an unjust war for them. They only have to put a few of their
emotions to one side, like hate, rancor, and greed. And find a reason. Will they be able to rebuild it all? I
think so."

"I agree completely", said Dasha. "This beautiful city will return to normal when the green spaces and the
buildings are rebuilt, and, above all else, when the children return with their parents. They are the future
of the city. They must return there. But the children must not pay for the damages done by their elders.

"And the elders", said Olin, "must work for it. Work to eliminate all this wickedness that you can even
feel in the air that we breathe."

Poor Stanislas heard it all; but since he had already lost track of half of the reflections, said, "Can you
repeat all that again?" Everyone laughed, and continued the festivities on board, which ended with a
prayer."

"Vladimir, how is the ship?"

"Ship-shape, and ready to sail."

The unenthusiastic dawn invited them to do just that. After first giving blessing every beaver who loved
nautical activities like the young Vladimir. They first returned to Drushna’s house. She happily came out
to welcome them.

"You can’t imagine how happy I am to see you!"

"It was difficult, but not impossible."

They took a few provisions and continued on their way, but not before having a delicious lunch with the
owner of the home. Everyone in the community had prepared the avenue with numerous colored rocks
and a few white lilies in bloom, from the wharf to the hall of the Great Council, for the welcome reception
of the explorers. That very afternoon, a small dot appeared on the horizon. And it grew and grew.

"Yes, it’s them", cried Mama Janna, "it’s the children!"

"They’re not children any more, mama", said Papa Yuri. "They are courageous young men."

A great outcry rose up. A flock of swallows flew by in formation. And the community received their
heroes with shouts and hurrahs.

"Mother! Father! What a reception! Thank you." The entire community surged toward the pier to hug
Ulri, Olin, Lena, Dasha, Vladimir, and Stanislas.

"Son", said Yuri, "your grandfather is here."

"Hello, young man. Welcome in the name of the entire swamp community."

"Thank you, Grandfather."

"You will all get together at the Great Council of the Lake, and they will ask you for your impressions of
your trip. But I will stand aside, son, for I can see on your face and that of your friends that it has been a
very informative experience.

And so it was that in two days the great meeting was organized. The same meeting that was repeated
every spring when all the work details were organized, along with the educational tasks, etc. But by the
enthusiasm of the members of the Great Council, one could tell that this meeting would be different.
Everyone came. The Hall of the Great Council, a type of natural amphitheater, came to order, presided
over by Ulri’s grandfather.

Natasha the swan, moderator of the session, spoke. "This session will come to order. All members of all
species are present. The purpose of this meeting is to learn the results of the expedition of de Ulri, Olin,
Dasha, Lena, Vladimir and Stanislas."

"Thank you, dear Natasha. Young Ulri Miclo will speak."

Ulri walked up to the podium. "Friends What drove us was our curiosity to learn about human beings,
and the civilization that they have, beyond the forest of spruce trees. From other members of this
community, we knew that there were places and times of a sane coexistence in spite of the differences
between them. But it is not the same today. Friends We saw hate, rancor, pain, sadness, and
desolation. Few wild animals remain there. And few humans living in dignified conditions. And above
all, the children. Those who make all things possible were what we thought about most. Life for man is
an immense struggle between flesh and spirit. When both sides of the scale are equal, there is peace and
harmony in man. When this scale tips to one side, hatreds and discords are disgorged in terrible situations
such as we have seen. But, friends, there is war there. But we have also been witnesses to a ray of hope,
and we, the animals, will continue to set the example."

"Well, those are the words of my grandson, Ulri. The Supreme Council will analyze this invaluable
testimony. This whole expedition has certainly filled me with pride."

Then Natasha spoke. "This session is closed, and everyone is invited to return tomorrow."

"Hip, Hip, Hooray! Hip, Hip, Hooray! Hip, Hip, Hooray!"

And it is told that this healthy custom continues each spring, and the spirit of the explorers is renewed.
Everything settled by work, happiness, and well being. In spite of the differences of each species of the
great swampy community. In the country of Croatia.

From Bahia Blanca - Argentina. My city and my country .

Eternal Gratefully at Mr Bruce Marshal to translated this tale.

My First Tale.Dedicated to the child around the world.

My gratefully too... to the people that help me to write... the original version in spanish.

An special recognition at MRS DIANA animadonna@cg.yu that live in Macedonia Yugoslavia .

For your words lovely words.

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