On a cool autumn morning, when mist hung between the trees and the leaves rustled softly underfoot, a little mouse scurried through the mossy forest.
Her nose twitched, her fur was damp with morning dew, and her little paws were cold. She was eagerly searching for a safe place to store her winter supplies.
Suddenly, she stopped. Between the tree roots, she discovered a small cave. The entrance was framed by ferns, and a few yellowed leaves hung in front of it like curtains.
“It’s sheltered from the wind and dry here,” she squeaked happily. “Perfect for my supplies!”
The mouse eagerly carried a few berries and acorns she had collected into the cave. She carefully placed everything in a small hollow that she had previously padded with soft moss. Just as she was about to add a particularly round hazelnut, something stirred.
A heavy shadow fell over the entrance. With a deep snort, a strong, stubbly badger appeared. He stretched his broad snout into the cave and growled, “Hey! Mouse, what are you doing in my cave?”
The mouse flinched. “I-I thought it was empty… I just wanted to store some supplies.”
The badger snorted. “Empty, maybe, but still mine! I’m big, I’m strong, and I need a lot of space. Can’t you see that?”
The mouse stood on its hind legs, its heart pounding in its ears. “But I was here first. Just a little space, please!”
But the badger was already curling up in the cozy straw in the far corner. “That’s enough, you tiny little thing. Find yourself another hiding place.”
The mouse was about to protest when there was a rustling in the ferns. Two reddish ears appeared, followed by a long, pointed snout. The fox poked his head in curiously and narrowed his eyes. “Well, well, what are you two doing in my cave?” he hissed sharply.
The badger raised his head. “Your cave? Hardly! I was just resting.”
The mouse squeaked, “I found it! And my nuts are still in here!”
But the fox didn’t wait for an answer. With a quick swipe of his bushy tail, he whirled up leaves and moss, causing the mouse and badger to jump aside, coughing. Then he squeezed himself comfortably inside and rolled onto the straw with relish. “There. Finally some peace and quiet,” he muttered.
But the peace and quiet didn’t last long. A deep growl shook the cave. A large, shaggy wolf now stood at the entrance. His yellow eyes sparkled. “What’s all this mess? Who gave you permission to occupy my cave?”
The fox stood up. “That’s enough! I was here first—”
“Wrong,” growled the wolf. “I was here first. Many winters ago. And now I want it back.”
The mouse, badger, and fox stared at each other. But before anyone could say anything, everything went quiet. The ground vibrated slightly. Something large and heavy was approaching. Then a huge figure appeared in the entrance. A bear. As broad as a tree trunk. His eyes half closed, his voice deep and calm.
“Ah, how cozy,” he grumbled and yawned. “Just right for my hibernation.”
The fox jumped up. “No! The cave is full!”
The badger squeezed to the edge. “There’s really no more room!”
The mouse squeaked barely audibly, “Please, not anyone else…”
But the bear pushed his way in, undeterred. With a rumble, he pushed the others against the walls until he had curled up in the middle of the cave. “Mmmhh,” he muttered. “Don’t disturb me now.” And then he snored. Loudly.
The mouse squeezed its way out carefully. The badger crawled after it, grumbling. The fox also slunk away, offended. Only the wolf paused briefly, shrugged his shoulders, and then trotted leisurely into the fog.
The mouse watched them go. Then she looked around. Not far away was a small, fallen tree trunk under which it was dry. “Maybe that will be enough for my nuts,” she whispered. “And a little moss cushion would fit in there too.”
She scurried over, content with the little space all to herself. The bear snored for a long time. And the forest listened attentively.
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