Värvikirev sügis oli Lahemaa rahvusparki kattnud.

The colorful autumn had covered Lahemaa Rahvuspark.

Puid ehtisid kuldsed ja punased lehed, mille vahele mahtus krõbekülm õhk talve lähenemisest sosistama.

The trees were adorned with golden and red leaves, between which the crisp cold air whispered the approach of winter.

Kalev seisis metsa serval, vaatles silmapiiri kohale ulatuvaid puulatvu ja mõtles, kuidas oma perele talveks varusid koguda.

Kalev stood at the edge of the forest, watching the treetops stretching to the horizon, thinking about how to gather supplies for his family for winter.

Viimaste kuude turistide tulv oli kohalikke poode tühjendanud.

The influx of tourists in recent months had emptied the local stores.

Kaup oli peaaegu otsas.

The goods were almost gone.

Maarika, Kalevi naine, ootas teda kodus, mure ilmselge tema laubalt peegelduvat.

Maarika, Kalev's wife, was waiting for him at home, worry clearly reflected on her forehead.

"Meil on vaja toitu ja küttepuid," oli ta määranud eile õhtul.

"We need food and firewood," she had stated the previous evening.

Kalev teadis, et viivitada ei saa.

Kalev knew that there was no time to delay.

Talv oli alati pikk ja karm.

Winter was always long and harsh.

Kalev oli küsitava tee ees.

Kalev faced a questionable choice.

Kas oodata uut kaupa, riskides, et vajalik puudus kestab edasi, või minna sügavamale parki lootuses leida muid ärisid?

Should he wait for new goods, risking that the necessary shortages would continue, or venture deeper into the park in hopes of finding other businesses?

Just sellal, kui Kalev sügavale oma mõtetesse vajus, ilmus tema ette Toomas, vana sõber.

Just as Kalev sank deep into his thoughts, Toomas, an old friend, appeared before him.

"Hei, Kalev!"

"Hey, Kalev!"

hõikas Toomas.

shouted Toomas.

"Kas otsid talvekraami?"

"Are you looking for winter supplies?"

"Jah," vastas Kalev murelikult, "aga kõik on otsas."

"Yes," replied Kalev worriedly, "but everything is gone."

Toomas naeris.

Toomas laughed.

"Tead, ma tean üht meest siin pargis, kes peidab oma kaupasid turistide eest.

"You know, I know a man here in the park who hides his goods from tourists.

Olen talle paar korda üht-teist viinud, nii et ta peab mind sõbraks."

I've delivered a few things to him a couple of times, so he considers me a friend."

Kalev tundis kergendust.

Kalev felt relieved.

"Viid mu tema juurde?"

"Will you take me to him?"

"Nüüd kohe," kinnitas Toomas ja viis Kalevi läbi metsateede.

"Right away," confirmed Toomas and led Kalev through the forest paths.

Vana talust ehitas Pippo, Paruni nimi, salapoe keset parki.

The old farm was transformed by Pippo, a name of a baron, into a secret store in the middle of the park.

Ta oli endise kaluri poeg, kes teadis, kuidas varusid hoida.

He was the son of a former fisherman who knew how to keep supplies.

Nad jõudsid varsti sinna ja pargisalongi, hästi varjatud, avanes mõnigi sahtel, täis häid ja tarvilikke kraame.

They soon arrived there, and the park salon, well hidden, revealed many drawers full of good and necessary items.

Kalev sai soola, suhkrut, jahu ja isegi õunu.

Kalev got salt, sugar, flour, and even apples.

Pippo andis neile ka paar kotti tatrat ja konservitoite.

Pippo also gave them a couple of bags of buckwheat and canned food.

Tundus, et Pippo teadis eesootavast karmist ajast ja oli eelnevalt hästi valmistanud.

It seemed that Pippo was aware of the harsh times ahead and had prepared well in advance.

Kalev tänas Pippo ja Toomast südamest.

Kalev thanked Pippo and Toomas wholeheartedly.

Tundes end rahulolevalt, naasid Kalev ja Toomas Maarika juurde.

Feeling content, Kalev and Toomas returned to Maarika.

Kalev sai aru, et vahel on abi küsimine peamine võti raskete aegade läbimiseks.

Kalev realized that sometimes asking for help is the key to getting through tough times.

Koos suudeti ühiselt keerulised ajad läbi teha ja sellega veelgi suuremaks perekonnaks kasvada.

Together, they managed to get through difficult times and grow into an even bigger family.

Niimoodi, abivalmiduses ja sõpruses, valmistusid Kalev, Maarika ja Toomas Lahemaal talveks — mitte üksikvõitluses, vaid osana tugevast kogukonnast.

In this way, with helpfulness and friendship, Kalev, Maarika, and Toomas prepared for winter in Lahemaa—not in solitary struggle, but as part of a strong community.

Vahel peitub jõud just ühistöös, mõtles Kalev, kui krõbekülmas õhus koju kõndis, taskud rikkalikult varustatud talvepakkidega.

Sometimes, the strength lies in teamwork, Kalev thought, as he walked home in the crisp cold air, with pockets richly stocked with winter supplies.