Misunderstanding

Have you ever noticed how quickly a morning arrives when something exciting and long-awaited is supposed to happen?

That’s exactly how it felt for Rostik. It seemed like he hadn’t even had time to dream before the sound of an electric saw woke him up.

He jumped out of bed, still groggy, trying to understand what was going on. Then he remembered – yesterday his dad had promised to cut the boards for their treehouse in the morning.

Suddenly wide awake, Rostik ran outside in his pajamas.

– Rostislav, where are you going? – his mom caught him at the door.

– Outside! Dad’s there! – the boy said excitedly, trying to peek past her to see the yard.

– Yes, he’s cutting wood for your summer treehouse, – she smiled. – Why are you so worried?

– I missed it, – Rostik almost cried.

– Not at all, – his mom hugged him. – He only just started. There’s still plenty to do, and besides, it’s noisy and not safe for you out there yet. Wash up and eat breakfast. There’ll be work for you too.

After breakfast, Rostik still felt anxious. How long do I have to wait? What if Dad cuts something wrong? Did he even bring the blueprint?

Then he remembered – the blueprint! – and ran to his room. But his drawings and dad’s plan were nowhere to be found.

He slumped to the floor, nearly ready to cry, when Dad’s voice came from behind:

– What’s wrong, son?

– Dad! I can’t find the treehouse blueprint! How can we build without it?

– I’ve got it outside, – Dad smiled, sitting next to him. – I took it so I’d know how much to cut and where. You always need a plan – especially in building.

– I just wanted to bring it to you, – Rostik explained.

– That’s thoughtful. But here’s something else to know, – Dad said seriously. – Every job has stages. Some parts are solo work, others are teamwork.

– But working together is better!

– Not always. Sometimes, to focus, you need to be alone. Remember how annoyed you’d get if someone interrupted your drawings?

– I’d be mad, – Rostik admitted.

– Exactly. In that case, the best help is not interfering. And there’s one more thing: safety rules.

– What are those?

– They’re rules to protect you. Some things require training or age. Like using a saw – only adults can handle that. It’s heavy, sharp, and dangerous. Even standing nearby is risky: sawdust can fly, and loud sounds can block voices.

– So should I just sit at home while you build everything? – Rostik said, nearly in tears.

– Of course not! – Dad said warmly. – You’ve got your own important task: painting the boards. And I think you’ve got great helpers – remember Rada and Mila? Go invite them. It’s time for real teamwork!

Rostik brightened instantly. He had forgotten about the girls he’d just met the day before. Within minutes, he was at Aunt Sveta’s telling them about the day’s mission.

The girls listened excitedly and joined him in the yard soon after. Dad had just finished cutting and laid the boards out on the ground.

– There’s just one problem, – Dad said, scratching his head. – I didn’t know we’d have a whole painting crew. There’s only one brush.

– Maybe we can take turns? – Mila suggested.

– That’ll take too long, – Rostik objected. – And the others will have nothing to do.

– Then you paint, Rostik, and we’ll decorate them, – Rada offered.

– With what? – he asked doubtfully.

The girls thought hard. Then Dad offered an idea: in his childhood, they used stencils with letters and shapes, coloring through them.

– I’ve got it! – Rada beamed. – Mila can draw flowers on cardboard and cut them out to make stencils. I’ll press them to the boards and sponge on different colors!

– But we only have one brush, – Rostik reminded her.

– We can use a sponge, – Mila said. – I’ve seen my mom use one to apply cream to her face – it goes on so smooth!

– That’s makeup, not paint, – Rada laughed. – But good idea!

So they got to work. Rostik painted the base coat, Mila made flower and butterfly stencils, and Rada used sponges to add color.

It was real teamwork – and the results were beautiful.

Then Mila noticed her scissors were gone. No one had taken them. Then the sponges disappeared too.

Frustrated, Rostik accused the girls of being careless. Rada got angry and left. Rostik, upset, muttered something to Mila and went to get supplies from home.

Each of them, now alone, sat quietly – upset, confused.

Rostik’s dad talked to him gently.

– You were mad when you couldn’t find the blueprint earlier. What if I had blamed you unfairly?

– That would’ve been unfair! – Rostik agreed.

– So what if Aunt Sveta took the scissors? Or the wind carried the sponges?

Rostik thought. Dad continued:

– No job is helped by arguments. Think – what could actually help now?

Meanwhile, Rada sat fuming at Aunt Sveta’s.

– He blamed us, – she said angrily. – It’s not fair!

– But you still want to build the house, right? – Aunt Sveta asked gently.

– Yes… I do, – Rada admitted.

– Then help him. You know he didn’t mean to be cruel – he’s just worried the house won’t be ready in time.

Rada nodded slowly.

Back at the tree, Mila sat alone and sad. Rostik’s mom brought berry juice and found her close to tears.

– It’s my fault, – Mila sniffled. – I lost the scissors.

– But arguing didn’t help either, right? – Mom smiled. – You know what will make you all happy? A finished treehouse.

Then came voices:

– Let’s get back to work! – Rada called out.

– We brought new sponges! – Rostik added.

The friends reunited, hugged, and joyfully resumed working.

Suddenly, Mila gasped.

– Look! A butterfly’s stuck to the paint!

The three gathered. A white butterfly’s legs had gotten stuck to the wet board.

– Poor thing! What do we do? – Rada asked.

– It’s still wet – let’s soften it with water, – Rostik suggested.

They carefully dabbed water and freed the butterfly. It flew off.

– What a day! – Rada exclaimed. – We painted boards, saved our friendship – and even rescued a butterfly!

– And the best part is still to come! – Rostik grinned.

Just then, they heard a cough.

They turned – and saw a Gnome.

Yes, a real one.

By the base of the old oak stood a tiny, living, talking Gnome – just like in books.

– Hello, children. Sorry for the surprise – and for taking your scissors and sponges, – he said, placing the missing tools before them.

– I’ve lived in this tree for years. When I saw your blueprint, I feared you might harm it. I took your tools to stop the work and protect my home.

– But then I saw how you chose kindness over anger. You even saved a helpless butterfly.

– You’re good children. That’s why I’m giving your tools back – and I promise to help you build, as long as you promise to protect the tree.

The kids were speechless.

They looked at the Gnome, then each other, then back again.

Was this real? Or were they dreaming?

But that… is a story for tomorrow.