The Gigantic Turnip
"Pulling the Radish" is a Russian folk tale about a grandpa who plants an enormous radish. No matter how hard he pulls, it won't budge — until the whole family, plus the cat and even the mouse, all pull together. Simple and fun, the story teaches children that teamwork is strength, a favorite of kindergarten teachers everywhere.
Grandfather planted a tiny turnip seed in his sunny vegetable garden. Every morning, he watered it with love.
The turnip grew and grew and grew into a GIGANTIC turnip! Grandfather pulled with all his might, but the turnip would not move one bit.
"Grandmother, please come and help me!" called Grandfather. Grandmother held him around the waist, and they pulled together, but the turnip was still stuck.
They called their granddaughter, who came running with her pigtails bouncing. She held Grandmother tight, and they pulled together, but the turnip was still stuck.
They called the little brown dog, who held the granddaughter's skirt with his teeth. They all pulled together, but the turnip was still stuck.
They called the grey cat, who held the dog's tail with her soft paws. They all pulled together, but the turnip was still stuck, so they called the tiny mouse.
The tiny mouse held the cat with his tiny paws, and they all pulled one last time. Pop went the giant turnip, and everyone tumbled over laughing!
