Green Lomb School Part 2
Time passed, the calendar showed the second week of October. Every Monday, Aunt Zike in the third class at Green Lomb School turned a new page and the children were enchanted by the beautiful picture that adorned the days of the week.
True, they were not impressed by the novelty of it, as they often looked at the next pages during breaks. It was fun: pushing and shoving, giggling, counting how much time was left until Halloween, Christmas...
Tuesday was the last class. The sun was shining brightly, so it took place in the courtyard. After a little warm-up, we had athletics. In the long jump, Szökkencs was unbeatable, and the run was almost always won by Nyulcsa, but the others also got some credit. Practically every event had a different favourite, and we haven't even mentioned gymnastics, swimming, ball games...
Aunt Zike did not watch them from the sidelines, but was actively involved in all the activities, always demonstrating the new exercises.
In those days, Uncle Nyula, with his crackling, crackling joints, was not as graceful as young Aunt Zike. It was not uncommon for him to fall on his buttocks in his haste. Then she would scramble to her feet, sometimes with the help of her little nephews. Fortunately, as he said, his bones were made of iron, and he was never hurt.
In the last 15 minutes, the children could decide what they wanted to do. The boys usually played football, the girls jumped rope or played rounders. Nyéti, on the other hand, preferred to join the boys, and she didn't show any shame. He scored at least as many goals as Kiro or Bréku.
At the end of the lesson, Aunt Zike said goodbye and they packed up and headed home. Together, Muko and Hudo waddled to the fork in the road to the lake, where they said goodbye. Pocka and Nüsi were neighbours and had been best friends since they were toddlers, almost brothers. Even now they were teasing each other, frolicking along the path. The fallen leaves were now like a soft quilt, and they took turns pushing each other.
When they got home, the children told their families about the day's events and then helped their parents. Hudo was almost better than his dad. Mukó excelled at cooking. He only made simple dishes, but they were always so delicious that they were eaten to the last crumb. His little brothers and sisters often laughed and fought over who would lick the bowl.
Pocka really liked cleaning. This was evident in their apartment, which always shone so brightly with cleanliness that even the sunlight fell on the floor. Nyeti didn't really like housework, preferring to help her dad with the cleaning. His mother often said with a laugh that he should have been born a boy.
After work, everyone played a game, and after dinner, they got down to their studies. They usually finished in a short time, because they never had too much homework, and they only had to skim through the material, as they had memorised almost everything in class.
The next morning, the teacher had just entered the classroom when Mukó cried out:
- Aunt Zike! I don't have one of your earrings!
The jewellery was beautiful, the girls admired it a lot, and it is not surprising that Mukó immediately noticed its absence.
Aunt Zike was frightened and grabbed her ears. It was her favourite earring. Not just because of its beauty, but because it was a gift from her sister.
- Oh, it must have fallen out of my ear somewhere! - she said sadly.
After class, the children did not run out into the yard, but, as if they had been talking, everyone stayed in class. Even in this short time they had already taken their new teacher to their hearts and were eager to help her.
- Where could it have gone? What can we do? - they clenched their jaws in excitement.
- I think someone stole it! - I saw a suspicious figure in the woods yesterday.
- Who was it? What did he look like? - the others asked.
- I don't know, he was very far away, but he was sneaking around like he was up to no good. He even had some kind of bag on his back.
- Wow! It was definitely him! We have to find him! - "Let's discuss the war plan after the lesson.
They were exceptionally eager for the day to end. As soon as they said goodbye to Aunt Zike, they hurried out into the yard.
- "Let's go a little further away, so that no one sees us," Muko suggested.
So they hurried into the forest and began their deliberations. Nyéti took the lead:
- Where have you seen this suspicious individual, Hawk? - he asked.
- Behind the lake, at the Old Oak.
- So let's try that way. Let's take different routes so he can't slip between us. But be very careful! Don't go near it, it could be dangerous. Meet me at the Sunshine Clearing and we'll talk about it.
The small team set off boldly. Sűlyke and Gamba soared in the air, Muko soared through the trees, and Szökkencs leapt through the leaves. Hudó and Bréku headed for the lake to approach the meeting place from the water. Kiro and Rabbit were on the left side of the forest, and Bunny and Gönyke on the right.
Spike and Pocka took the shortest, straightest route, because Spike could not move as fast as the others on his tiny legs, even though he was multiplying in vain. Fortunately, there were some sloping parts where she curled up and rolled and rolled, so fast that even the lightning-fast Pocka could barely keep up.
Nevertheless, everyone tried to proceed with caution, scanning the area carefully as they went. They felt like real detectives.
Of course, Hawk and Gamba were the first to arrive at the clearing. They caught a glimpse of the figure they were looking for: he had just arrived at the Old Oak, a sack slung over his shoulder.
- "Wait for me, I'll go closer to have a closer look," said Sűlyke.
- Don't go, please!" said the timid Gamba, frightened. - Don't leave me here alone! There might be more of them! Besides, we agreed to meet the others here. Besides, if he spots us, he might disappear and we might never find him again.
He finally managed to convince his hot-headed partner. Sűlyke didn't want to be the one to suffer the consequences. So they waited patiently for the others, keeping an eye on the unknown.
Slowly, everyone is running in. Poor Spike was terribly tired, gasping for breath with his tongue hanging out.
- What is the situation? - asked the others. - Has anyone seen it?
- "Yes, there is the litter at the Old Oak," replied Sűlyke. The others had not yet noticed it, for they could not see as far as he and Gamba could from the top of the trees. How do we catch him?
- "One of us could sneak closer to spy on him," suggested Fountainhead.
- 'I think we should surround him and rush down,' said the Hollow, who was getting tired of inaction and was eager to get into action.
- I agree with Sűlyke. "Let's not stall, the bum might get away," nodded Nyéti.
The majority of the team was of the same opinion, so they began the encirclement operation in pairs. Before they set off, they discussed how they would signal when they had reached the target.
This time, they were really careful not to sneak up on the thief. They sneaked under cover of trees, bushes and leaves, watching where they stepped so as not to make any noise. It took half an hour or so for everyone to take their designated places.
Now they could all look at the stranger, who was terrifying. His figure was hidden by a long shroud, and his head was covered, so that almost nothing could be seen of him. He was hunched under a tree.
- "He must be burying the stolen goods now," whispered Bréku to Hudo, who immediately warned him to be quiet.
Soon the agreed signals were heard: hooting, whistling, chattering...
As the last sound died away, the small group bravely charged the fearsome figure. Shouting and thumping, they swarmed over and surrounded the villain.
The man screamed, grabbed his heart and staggered backwards. Luckily, the Old Oak was right behind him, so he didn't flinch.
Then the children caught sight of her face, and were shocked to see that it was Mother Vaddi, a retired nurse in good standing. Her cloak had fallen from her shoulders and she was wearing a button-down scarf.
- Oh my God! What is going on? - she asked, distraught.
The intrepid investigators have failed. They just stared at each other, no one daring to speak.
- Aren't you ashamed of yourselves? Making fun of an old woman like that! - Mother Vaddi raised her voice angrily.
Nyéti plucked up the courage to try to explain the situation.
- Kiss you! Sorry, there's been a huge misunderstanding. - And he told me the whole story.
The kind, wrinkled face and warm brown eyes brightened as the narrative progressed. At the end, Mother Vaddi laughed a huge laugh.
- Me as a thief? A suspicious individual? Oh, that's very funny!" and he laughed so hard he clutched his stomach. The little rascals were very relieved, and in the end they joined in the laughter.
- "You know, my sweethearts," continued Mother Vaddi, when she could finally speak again, "I'm collecting acorns for the winter. My little grandchildren love to bake pies with it...
- "We'd be happy to help," Muko offered. "I think it's the least we can do after what happened...
The acorns were quickly scooped up and the sack was quickly filled. Mother Vaddi thanked them for their help and said:
- If you're ever on your way to the Fatty, drop by and see me. 'I'm always glad of the company, and perhaps I can offer you a little something to eat,' he winked at them. - Now hurry home, lest it get dark. 'You're going to run into some villain,' he said with a chuckle, and then, shaking his head merrily, he started home.
The children were happy that no harm had been done, but they were also sad that they had not found the thief.
- "There's nothing we can do today," said Nyéti. "Mother Vaddi is right, it will soon be dark. Our parents will be worried. We'll come up with a new plan tomorrow.
So they set off for home...
The next morning, they all arrived at school a little early. They couldn't wait to get back into action. The previous day's fiasco had not dampened their spirits. The only problem was that none of them had any idea what had happened to the earring.
Who could have stolen it? And how did it happen? He must have been a very clever thief to have been able to sneak it out of Aunt Zike's ear without her noticing. And why only one? Would they have disturbed her?
In the midst of all the commotion, the teacher came in.
- Hello, children! What happened? Is something wrong?" she asked worriedly. The class was like an agitated beehive, he had never seen them like this before.
- Good morning, Aunt Zike! - the little ones said hello in chorus, then there was a deep silence. Though they didn't talk, they all thought they would not tell what they were up to. Let it be a surprise when they handed over the recovered jewels.
Since they had to say something, Muko spoke up:
- We were just guessing where his earring had gone. You didn't like finding it?
- Unfortunately not," the teacher replied sadly. - And I looked for her all afternoon. I thought it might have fallen out of my ear in gym class. But I couldn't find it anywhere. Not in the yard, not on the way home, not at home. It's so nice of you to think of him. 'Well, it will turn up when I'm not looking for it,' he smiled.
The children were also eagerly waiting for the end of the lesson. They didn't even have to talk, all heading for the previous day's meeting place.
- Let's get our act together and find those damn earrings! - "What do you think happened?
- "Maybe he really did lose it," said Gönyke, "It could have fallen out of his ear anywhere, no wonder he couldn't find it.
- But we are many, we can comb the whole forest - enthused Sűlyke.
- "You don't have to go all the way, just the way Aunt Zike went," said the thoughtful Hudo.
- "Wait!" slapped him on the forehead, "First we should ask Uncle Sakra. He can spot the shiny stuff from a distance. If he hasn't seen it either, we'll try to find it. He might even help us.
As the others thought it was a good idea, they set off for Uncle Sakra's home.
It was not far, and they soon reached the Lonely Beech. At the top of it lived the old gentleman who used to run the forest shop. Their parents told them about him. Everybody loved him because he was friendly, joked a lot, and always gave the children a sweet or a lollipop before they left his shop.
- Well, we can't all go up there! - Rabbit looked up with his head thrown back.
- 'Maybe it's not so bad,' Hawk said, 'if the whole class doesn't get on his case.
The others started to giggle, too, thinking back to what had happened with Mother Vaddi.
- I think we should go with Muko and Hawk," suggested Gamba. He didn't want to be chosen.
He was always a bit nervous when he had to talk to adults.
- "Okay, I agree," nodded Nyéti. "But don't clown around, Hawk! Be very polite.
- "Got it, boss!" the boy clicked his heels together and even saluted with his right wing.
Muko and Sűlyke were at the top of the tree in no time. They knocked on the door.
- Who is it?" came a rasping voice from inside.
- Kisses, Uncle Sakra! We are Muko and Sűlyke from the Green Leaf School. We would like to ask for your help.
Shuffling footsteps approached, then the door opened and there stood Uncle Sakra. His black-and-white feathered dress was a little frayed, his posture was not very elegant, and on the tip of his beak a peacock's eye wobbled.
But there was a smile in his black eyes, and he kindly invited the children in.
- Come and take a seat! How can I help you? By the way, would you like some candy?
The children thanked him for the sweets and then told him what they were doing.
- I can't tell you, you really love this Aunt Zike! Nice of you to try to help her. You might even get lucky this time. You wouldn't believe all the things I find in my walkabout. I'll be right back.
The old man soon returned with a huge bowl full of various shiny things.
- You know, my memory is not what it used to be, I don't really remember where and when I found them. But feel free to go through the whole thing and see if you can find the earring.
Muko and Hawk just stared and stared. There was everything: spoons, scissors, screws, tools, brass handles, bicycle bells... One thing they had in common, they all shone brightly.
They started to unload them carefully and nicely. As they went on, they got more and more dishevelled. They were halfway through the bowl and still no earrings.
- "Don't give up, children," Uncle Sakra encouraged them, "You know, I take out my collection several times a day, admire my treasures and clean them. I may even find what you are looking for at the bottom.
No sooner had the last word been spoken than Muko happily jumped up and held up Aunt Zike's earring.
- Yay!" cried Hawk, and hugged his little companion.
- Do you want to give it here? - Muko asked timidly.
- Of course!" smiled Uncle Sakra. "And take some sweets for the others! - He filled a bag with sweets.
- Thank you very much! - the two children thanked us.
- You are very welcome! Come back again! - he said goodbye to them, and saw them out.
Muko and Sűlyke were down at the base of the tree in a flash, and they were happy to tell the others how nice Uncle Sakra was. Then, as if performing a circus act, Hawk imitated a drum roll, and Mukó pulled out the earring he had hidden behind his back. The group erupted in a huge cheer, hugging and patting the two heroes on the back. The jewel went from paw to paw, everyone wanted to have a look at it.
Once the mood had calmed down and the candy had been distributed, they decided to entrust their most responsible companion, Muko, with the guardian of the earring. Then they said their goodbyes and headed home.
Muko did not dare to jump in the trees, but ran home, clutching the hard-to-retrieve jewel in his tiny hand.
At home, he put it in a small bag, which he carried to school the next day, hanging it around his neck.
The whole class came in early again that day. They talked of nothing but the great adventure and couldn't wait to see Aunt Zike's joy.
Spike found a beautiful burgundy leaf. On it, like a velvet tray, they placed the earring in the middle of the teacher's desk and waited impatiently for Aunt Zike, who soon arrived.
As soon as she walked through the door, she sensed the excitement of the little ones. They all looked at him expectantly, their flushed cheeks glowing.
- What are you kids up to? Are you up to some prank? - he asked cheerfully.
Still no one spoke, you could almost cut the tension of anticipation.
Aunt Zike stepped cautiously inside. She wondered what kind of prank her newcomers were up to. She approached the cathedral slowly, still keeping her eyes on the class.
As he reached his desk, he was about to put down his diary and books when he saw the earring resting on the letter bed.
His huge eyes were even bigger anyway.
- Oh, my earrings! Did you find it? Where was it? Which one of you found it?
Now the children were talking, and they were enthusiastically telling each other the story of the great investigation.
Aunt Zike was very touched. For a long time she just stood and watched her little nephews. Then, with tears in her eyes but a big smile on her face, she said:
- Oh, children, I don't know how to thank you for all the trouble you have taken for me! You have made me very happy. You know, you didn't just get me my favourite earring back - you gave me so much more. The most precious thing you could give me: love.
Her voice had dropped, the tears were streaming down her cheeks, but her smile was getting wider. He held out his arms and his little pupils rushed to him, and they came together in a huge hug. They felt they would fight even the dreaded Corky of legend for Aunt Zike.
Maybe one day it will happen again...
