A cockroach is the villain of this nonsense poem, a classic of twentieth-century Russian children's literature. It tells how the animals set out to enjoy themselves picnicking, but were stopped by a cockroach who threatened them with dire consequences if they dared approach the hill. Not even the large animals were brave enough to challenge the six-legged tyrant. But he is defeated ignominiously when a sparrow hops up and swallows him down whole. During the victory celebration, the elephants stomp so hard dancing that the moon must be nailed back up in the sky.