Night time storytime
Bedtime Stories | Free 5 Min Bedtime Stories for Kids Online Bedtime Stories
The Classic fairytale of Cinderella: a young girl, mistreated by her step-mother and step-sisters, who finds out that dreams really can come true.
The Classic Fairytale Story of Snow White with a Modern Twist: Who is the “fair”est of them all? Snow White of course!
A Bedtime Story of Honesty, Courage and Truth. If Pinocchio is to become a Real boy he needs to learn how to be honest, brave and true.
A Grimm’s Brother Tale: A miller tells a tale that his daughter can turn straw into gold. A strange little man is willing to help…for a price. Guess his name and he will be gone…but what is his name?
Goldilocks and the Three Bears ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids. Goldilocks finds the three bears cottage in the woods. Should she make herself comfortable?
Hansel and Gretel Bedtime Stories for Kids. When Hansel and Gretel go in search of food, they find a gingerbread house. But who is inside?
A Story of Friendship, Love and Courage. Rapunzel’s Story ~ A Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale. An evil witch has trapped Rapunzel in a tower. Can her long hair or love save her?
A Story of Courage, Justice and Self-Awareness. Merlin the Magician places a magic sword in a stone…whomever can pull it out is the rightful king.
A Bedtime Story of Acceptance and Self-Awareness. A Mama Duck is proud when her six ducklings hatch from their eggs. But one duckling does not look like the others? Is he truly an Ugly Duckling?
The classic Brother’s Grimm fairytale that sparked the Disney adaptation.
A Story of Courage, Learning and Love. The Classic fairy tale: The Little Mermaid falls in love with a prince on shore and she makes a deal with the Sea Witch to become human. But without her voice, how can the prince fall in love with her?
This Classic Folktale is adapted from the original story of “Aladdin” from The Arabian Nights. Aladdin, the Genie and the Magic Lamp work to impress the princess who wishes to be a commoner.
A Story of Courage, Kindness to Animals and Learning. The Classic Tale of a male deer, Bambi, his mother and his adventures learning in the woods.
A Story of Charity, Compassion and Justice, from England. Robin Hood takes part in an archery contest thrown by the Sheriff of Nottingham. Will he realize its a trap before it is too late? One of the many Tales of Robin Hood.
This is the Legend Tale of Maui the Demi-God from Moana. It is part of our Classic Bedtime Stories for Kids Collection. It has been adapted from the Tales of Maui as well as Disney’s version of Moana.
A Bedtime Story in Simple English for Kids. A toy rabbit learns that through a child’s love it can become real.
The Classic Tale of the Snow Queen: Gerda and Kai struggle to fight the Snow Queen and find the balance between Good and Evil.
The Classic Fairy Tale of Sleeping Beauty. Princess Aurora has been cursed by Maleficent. When she pricks herself on a spinning wheel on her 16th birthday, she is put into a deep sleep for 100 years.
Who can save her?
Bedtime Story for Kids: The Gift of the Magi, A Christmas Story. Della and Jim wish to give each other the perfect Christmas present, but how will they come up with the money?
A Bedtime Story of Friendship, Courage and Acceptance. . The story tells of the time Pocahontas saved the life of settler John Smith from her father, Powhatan.
A Cinderella Story ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids
The Classic fairytale of Cinderella: a young girl, mistreated by her step-mother and step-sisters, who finds out that dreams really can come true.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Story ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids
The Classic Fairytale Story of Snow White with a Modern Twist: Who is the “fair”est of them all? Snow White of course!
Pinocchio Story ~ Fairy Tale Bedtime Stories in English for Kids
A Bedtime Story of Honesty, Courage and Truth. If Pinocchio is to become a Real boy he needs to learn how to be honest, brave and true.
Beauty and the Beast Classic Tale ~ Fairy Tale Stories for Kids
The classic fairy tale of a beautiful woman and the monstrous beast.
Rumpelstiltskin ~ A Fairy Tale Bedtime Story for Kids
A Grimm’s Brother Tale: A miller tells a tale that his daughter can turn straw into gold. A strange little man is willing to help…for a price. Guess his name and he will be gone…but what is his name?
Goldilocks and the Three Bears ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids
Goldilocks and the Three Bears ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids. Goldilocks finds the three bears cottage in the woods. Should she make herself comfortable?
Hansel and Gretel ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids
Hansel and Gretel Bedtime Stories for Kids. When Hansel and Gretel go in search of food, they find a gingerbread house. But who is inside?
Rapunzel by the Brothers Grimm ~ Bedtime Stories
A Story of Friendship, Love and Courage. Rapunzel’s Story ~ A Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale.
An evil witch has trapped Rapunzel in a tower. Can her long hair or love save her?
The Sword in the Stone: a King Arthur Legend of the Sword Story
A Story of Courage, Justice and Self-Awareness. Merlin the Magician places a magic sword in a stone…whomever can pull it out is the rightful king.
The Ugly Duckling Story ~ Fairy Tale Story for Kids in English
A Bedtime Story of Acceptance and Self-Awareness. A Mama Duck is proud when her six ducklings hatch from their eggs. But one duckling does not look like the others? Is he truly an Ugly Duckling?
The Frog Prince: The Story of the Princess and the Frog ~ Bedtime Stories
The classic Brother’s Grimm fairytale that sparked the Disney adaptation.
The Little Mermaid Story ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids in English
A Story of Courage, Learning and Love. The Classic fairy tale: The Little Mermaid falls in love with a prince on shore and she makes a deal with the Sea Witch to become human.
But without her voice, how can the prince fall in love with her?
Aladdin and the Magic Lamp from The Arabian Nights ~ Bedtime Stories
This Classic Folktale is adapted from the original story of “Aladdin” from The Arabian Nights. Aladdin, the Genie and the Magic Lamp work to impress the princess who wishes to be a commoner.
Bambi Story: A Life in the Woods ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids in English
A Story of Courage, Kindness to Animals and Learning. The Classic Tale of a male deer, Bambi, his mother and his adventures learning in the woods.
Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow Story ~ Legend Stories for Kids
A Story of Charity, Compassion and Justice, from England. Robin Hood takes part in an archery contest thrown by the Sheriff of Nottingham. Will he realize its a trap before it is too late? One of the many Tales of Robin Hood.
Maui from Moana: Tales of the Demi-God ~ Legend Stories for Kids
This is the Legend Tale of Maui the Demi-God from Moana.
It is part of our Classic Bedtime Stories for Kids Collection. It has been adapted from the Tales of Maui as well as Disney’s version of Moana.
The Velveteen Rabbit Story ~ Bedtime English Story for Kids
A Bedtime Story in Simple English for Kids. A toy rabbit learns that through a child’s love it can become real.
The Snow Queen Fairy Tale Story ~Bedtime Story for Kids
The Classic Tale of the Snow Queen: Gerda and Kai struggle to fight the Snow Queen and find the balance between Good and Evil.
Sleeping Beauty Fairy Tale Story ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids
The Classic Fairy Tale of Sleeping Beauty. Princess Aurora has been cursed by Maleficent. When she pricks herself on a spinning wheel on her 16th birthday, she is put into a deep sleep for 100 years. Who can save her?
The Gift of the Magi Story ~ A Holiday Story for Kids
Bedtime Story for Kids: The Gift of the Magi, A Christmas Story. Della and Jim wish to give each other the perfect Christmas present, but how will they come up with the money?
Pocahontas and John Smith Story ~ Folktales Stories for Kids
A Bedtime Story of Friendship, Courage and Acceptance.
. The story tells of the time Pocahontas saved the life of settler John Smith from her father, Powhatan.
The Emperor’s New Clothes Story ~ Bedtime Stories
A Bedtime Story in Simple English for Kids. The Emperor is fooled into believing he is wearing magic clothes which can’t be “seen”.
Mulan Story ~ Tale of Hua Mulan Bedtime Stories | English Story for Kids
A Bedtime Story in Simple English for Kids. Based on the “Ballad of Mulan” and Disney’s Mulan, this is a legend tale about a girl who goes in disguise as a boy and joins the army in her brother’s place.
Short Stories for Kids ~ Folk tales, Fairy Tales, Riddles, Legends, Poems
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More From Stories to Grow By
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Teaching Resources from Stories to Grow By
In addition to our bedtime stories, we also offer a multitude teaching resources! This includes over 100 free bedtime stories, fairy tales, folk tales, readers theater play scripts, and performance notes!
You will find the bedtime stories and the materials you need for your classroom with Stories to Grow By.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears ~ Bedtime Stories for Kids
Thanks to Artist, yehachan
This is the fairy tale story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears with a modern twist.
It is brought to you by Stories to Grow by. Check out our other great stories!
Listen to the story while you read along!
Once upon a time a girl named Goldilocks lived in a house at the edge of the woods. In those days curls of hair were called "locks." She was "Goldilocks" because golden hair ran down her head and shoulders.
One morning Goldilocks was out for a walk when she came across a beautiful bird. She followed that bird right into the woods, where her mother had said many times she must never go. But Goldilocks didn’t think of that.
Thanks to Artist, JoannaPasek
Deeper and deeper into the woods she went. But where was the bird? It was nowhere to be seen. Goldilocks looked around. That's when she knew she was lost.
But a house was not far away. “I wonder who lives there,” she thought, "so deep into the woods." She went up and knocked on the door.
No answer. She knocked again. Still no answer. Goldilocks knocked a third time and the door opened. But no one was behind the door.
“Well, the door is already open,” said the girl. “So I may as well go in.”
Goldilocks smelled a wonderful smell, and soon knew why. On the table were three steaming bowls of oatmeal. All of a sudden she realized how very hungry she was.
What Goldilocks did not know, however, is that three bears lived in this house. In fact, that very morning the three bears had sat down to their bowls of oatmeal but the cereal was too hot. So they had decided to take a short walk. They said to each other, "By the time we return home our oatmeal will be perfect."
Gazing at the steaming bowls of oatmeal, Goldilocks thought, “I'm sure whoever lives here won’t mind if I take just one sip.” She sat at the first chair and took a sip. “Ah!” she said, “it is too hot.”
She moved to the next bowl and took a sip. “Ah!” she said, “it is too cold.
”
Thanks to Artist, JoannaPasek
She moved to the third bowl and took a sip. “It is just right!” And before she knew it, the oatmeal was all gone.
Goldilocks rubbed her tummy. “I'm full! I must find somewhere to sit that's more comfortable.”
She went to the living room. Three chairs were lined up in a row – one big chair, one medium-sized chair, and a wee little chair.
“I'm sure whoever lives here will not mind if I sit on just one chair,” said Goldilocks. She sat on the big chair, but it was too hard.
“The next chair looks good,” said Goldilocks. She moved to the medium-sized chair, but it was too soft.
“The wee little chair looks better,” said the girl. She sat on the little chair and it was just right! But when Goldilocks leaned back a bit, the chair broke into a dozen pieces. She plopped right on the floor.
“Oh, no!” Goldilocks wailed. Then she yawned.
There must be somewhere she could lie down for a short nap.
The girl saw a ladder and climbed it to an attic. In a row, three beds were lined up – one big bed, one medium-sized bed, and a wee little bed.
“I'm sure whoever lives here won’t mind if I lay down for just a short nap,” she said. She laid down on the big bed but it was too hard. She laid down on the medium-sized bed but it was too soft. The girl laid down on the wee little bed, and it was just right! As her head hit the pillow, Goldilocks was fast asleep.
Just then, the three bears came home from their walk. "Oh, my!" said Mama Bear. “Did either of you leave the front door open?”
“Not I,” said Papa Bear.
"Not I," said Little Bear.
Slowly the three bears stepped inside and looked around.
“Most odd!” said Papa Bear, seeing his spoon in his bowl. “Someone has been eating my oatmeal!”
“Most odd indeed!” said Mama Bear, also seeing her spoon in her bowl.
“Someone has been eating my oatmeal!”
“This is the most odd of all!” said Little Bear. “Someone has been eating my oatmeal and they ate it all up!”
The three bears were very surprised, as you can imagine. With care, they stepped into their living room.
“Do you think someone was sitting in my chair?” said Papa Bear.
“I know someone was sitting in my chair,” said Mama Bear, “because I can see the seat cushion is pushed down.”
“And I know someone was sitting in my chair!” said Little Bear. “Because it’s all broken!”
Thanks to Artist, Joannapasek
The three bears were even more surprised at that! They climbed the ladder to their attic.
“Someone has been sleeping on my bed,” said Papa Bear, who could see that his blankets were moved.
“Someone has been sleeping on my bed, too,” said Mama Bear, who could also see that her blankets were moved.
“Someone has been sleeping on my bed,” said Little Bear.
“And look - she is still there!”
Goldilocks bolted awake. Three bears were looming over her, and they did not look happy.
Thanks to Artist, Joannapasek
“Oh my!” said Goldilocks, jumping out of bed. As quick as she could, she climbed down the ladder and ran out the front door.
Little Bear chased after her. "Wait, please!"
Goldilocks stopped and turned around.
"Tell me," said Little Bear, “Why did you come inside our house?”
“I guess I didn’t think–,“ said Goldilocks.
“And why did you eat my oatmeal?” said Little Bear.
“Well I guess I didn’t think–,“ said Goldilocks.
“And why did you break my chair and sleep in my bed?” said Little Bear.
“Well I guess I didn’t think about that, either,” said Goldilocks.
They were silent.
Goldilocks said, “I suppose I could have waited outside your door.”
“We were coming right home,” said Mama Bear.
"We might have invited you in if we knew you were hungry."
“I’m sorry about the chair,” said Goldilocks. “I guess you saw it broke.”
"Yep," said Mama Bear with a frown.
“I’m good at fixing things,” said Goldilocks, “If you have glue.”
“Of course we have glue!” said Papa Bear. “What kind of bears do you think we are?”
“I will make it up to you!” said Goldilocks.
“Come on in then, dear,” said Mama Bear.
“We'll start over,” said Papa Bear with a nod.
“Come in, come in!” said Little Bear, jumping up and down.
With smiles, they skipped together inside the Bear’s house.
V. Levin. Night story
Mrs and Mr bockley
Woke up at night suddenly.
Mrs and Mr bockley
Opened the old box.
Mrs and Mr bockley
Taken from the chest
Large marine binoculars
And nuts
(Four bags).
Mrs and Mr bockley
Walked up the stairs sniffling,
Mrs and Mr got wet
The house was rocking, creaking,
But they raised getting higher
four bags and binoculars,
And here they were on the roof
Mrs and Mr Buckley.
Mrs. lay down bugs,
Mister sat on cornice.
And they began to prick nuts,
And they threw shells way down.
A. Barto. Juggler
Today at the circus complete collection:
Chinese magician, juggler,
Participates in program -
Juggles balls.
He throws in the air,
And he catches immediately
Twelve balls
And a Chinese vase.
Colored glasses
He puts on a dish,
And with tray
Dishes fly.
He throws into the air
Any items:
Balls and rockets,
Flags and bouquets,
colored glasses and saucers.
And they all clap and laugh,
And looks from the box
Seryozha Petrov.
Serezha does not have
Glass balls,
But at home glasses
There will be.
Now he's a magician juggler.
He will say so mom.
He will run out tomorrow to the yard,
Juggling balls.
Here he wants
Drink tea,
The glass will toss
By chance,
Then he will catch
On the fly
And bring it up
To the mouth.
"Now you, please
Throw the teapot!" –
They will ask him
Delighted guests.
And they will ask
Chorus:
"How long has it been
Have you become a juggler?"
It's dark in the arena huge,
Dark and in the stalls and in the box,
The jugglers are gone and clowns,
returned home Seryozha.
And here to the table fits it,
The glass is throwing dare...
Seryozha is very surprised -
Suddenly something rang!
Broken glass
And glass saucer,
Nobody knew,
That they will break!
Others throw
Twelve balls
and even Chinese vase,
But no matter what throws
Serezha Petrov -
Everything is breaking straightaway.
“No,” he says. he, - decided:
I'm not a juggler will! -
But mom hides from him
Glassware.
Ten Little Indians gathered to dine
One all of a sudden choked - and there were nine of them.
Nine Little Indians sit under a coconut,
One of them fell asleep And there are eight left.
Eight are quiet sailed to Nottingham,
One of them is missing And there are seven of them left.
Seven stupid blacks decided to climb on the oak,
One of them fell And there are six left.
Six Indians went to the apiary to play,
One was stung - and there are five left.
Five stupid blacks refereeing,
One went to jail – and there were four of them.
Four Negresses bathed until dawn,
One went down – and there are three left.
Three stupid blacks barely remembered
But then came bear - and there are two of them left.
Two stupid blacks undertook to heat the fireplace,
One of them is frozen - left to live alone.
The Last Negro didn't do anything
When did he get married there was no one!
Y.Tuvim. About pan Trulyalinsky
Who hasn't heard of artist
Tralislava Trulyalinsky!
And he lives in Pripevaisk,
In the alley Veselinsky.
With him and aunt - Trolleyletka,
And daughter - Trulyalyurka,
And son- Tweedledee,
And the doggy Tweedledee.
They have more kitten,
By nickname Tweedling,
Plus a parrot -
Cheerful Tweedledee!
At dawn they rise,
They will drink tea in a hurry,
And meets all company
ringing song early morning.
Trolley stick
Raise the conductor –
And immediately by order
Will flood friendly choir:
"Tru-la-la yes tr-la-la!
Tra-la-la yes tra-la-la!
Honor and glory Tralislava!
Trulyalinsky praise!"
Trulyalinsky slightly doesn't dance
Conductor's stick waving
And, moving his mustache,
Sing along:
"Tru-la-la!"
"Tru-la-la!" - sounds already
In the yard and in the garage,
And a passing pedestrian
He sings the same song.
All drivers - Trullers,
Postmen - Trullions,
Football players - Tweedledum,
Saleswomen - Trulyalitsy,
Musicians - Tweedledants
And students- Truly tapes.
The teacher himself Tweedler,
And the guys are Trolls!
Even mice, even flies
They sing: "Trollies!"
All in Pripevaisk people
Live happily ever after!
"Night Witch" at low level flight. The story of pilot Maria Smirnova
March 31, 2020, 05:00
Article
75th anniversary of the Victory
A mischievous, snub-nosed girl from a Tver peasant family with chubby cheeks, which were difficult to fit into naughty tight and small ones. Laughing, lively, energetic, with a tiny waist - "it seemed that she was about to break," as her fighting girlfriends said.
Guard Major, squadron commander of the 46th Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment of the 2nd Belorussian Front, 940 sorties, 24-year-old Hero of the Soviet Union, holder of three Orders of the Red Banner, the Order of Lenin, the Order of Alexander Nevsky and the Order of the Red Star.
Maria Smirnova
© Nikolai Akimov/TASS
It's all about the same girl - Masha, Maria Smirnova. When the war ended, she was 25 years old. These years are usually devoted to sweet girlish joys, but Masha, like many of her peers, had to devote them to a deadly and cruel battle for peace and tranquility in her land.
Youth-War
Masha was born on March 31, 1920, graduated from a pedagogical school at the age of 16, was first a teacher. But not only boys, but also girls dreamed of the sky then. Papanin, the Chelyuskinites were her favorite heroes, and her heavenly saviors, of course, were awarded special respect: Vodopyanov, Levanevsky, Lyapidevsky. And Masha went to study at the Kalinin flying club, after which she became an instructor pilot.
These skills soon turned out to be very necessary: the war began, already in October Masha went to the front as a volunteer. In four months, she completed pilot courses at the Engels Military Aviation Pilot School and, with the rank of junior lieutenant, was enlisted as deputy squadron commander in the 588th Night Light Bomber Aviation Regiment, which was subsequently transformed into the 46th Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment for the courage and heroism of the personnel.
Military pilots Vera Tikhomirova and Maria Smirnova October 20, 1942
© TASS
He was the only one in which all positions, including mechanics and technicians, were occupied by women. In general, there were three regiments manned by female pilots in the USSR Air Force.
"Corners" with bombs
U-2 aircraft, later Po-2, were mostly plywood. Here is a fragment from the technical description of the model: "The design of the U-2 aircraft was wooden, made of pine and plywood, with fabric sheathing, the components were made of mild steel, the wing box racks were originally duralumin drop-shaped pipes, soon replaced by steel round pipes with tape tied to them on glued with wooden fairings (to reduce the cost).
The fuselage - with a plywood front and braced tail, the upper edge of the rear was covered with a removable convex gargot made of 1 mm plywood for ease of inspection ... "
But there was one invaluable advantage: Po-2s were silent, for which they were nicknamed "heavenly sluggards".
On such "small wooden bombers with linen wings" girls flew out into the night to destroy enemy personnel and ammunition again and again. Pilots of the 46th Guards Night Bomber Women's Regiment took off on combat missions about 25 thousand times on Po-2, of which about 10 thousand sorties fell on Smirnova's squadron, and she herself took to the skies 940 times.
"From sunset to sunrise, Rus plywood, invisible in the darkness, hung over their [German] heads and methodically dropped bombs. At the same time, it was impossible to determine where and when the next one would fall," Olga Golubeva-Teres wrote.
"PO-2", on display during the aviation festival at the Tushino airfield in Moscow, August 20, 1989 on a target with the engine turned off - this was how the maximum effect of surprise was achieved.
All this drove the Germans crazy, "had a depressing effect on the psyche." For each downed "Russian plywood", Golubeva-Teres recalled, a German was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross - the highest award of the Reich.
One is more difficult than the other
Departure and return in complete darkness were one more difficult than the other. The closer to the target, the more dangerous, since searchlights and anti-aircraft guns of the enemy were always ready. In addition to everything, the terrain, for obvious reasons, often changed, and exceptional knowledge of air navigation was required from the navigators.
One of the features of Smirnova is unanimously called extreme perseverance and perseverance. She got the job done even when it seemed impossible. The most difficult flight to choose, perhaps, is impossible. For example, during the liberation of the Crimea, as she later recalled, having completed the task, she fell into low cloud cover. Maria did not have time to descend to get out of the clouds.
The plane was light, and the storm wind tossed it from side to side - "it will either throw it up fifty meters, then it will throw it with force down to the very water." So the pilot struggled with the elements for two whole hours, "But we flew," Smirnova told her contemporaries calmly and without emotion.
Pilots of the Marina Raskova Night Bomber Regiment report on the completion of a combat mission, July 2, 1942
© TASS
Another difficult flight was at the crossing near the villages of Petrovskoye and Krasny Oktyabr. During the re-flight, I had to fly on an aircraft damaged by a large-caliber anti-aircraft machine gun. The motor went haywire, but Smirnova still didn't leave the target. Only by dropping bombs on enemy positions, she pulled the plane to her airfield.
Very often, after landing, the pilots heard the same question: "I'll never know, how did you land?" The answer was also the same: "If you want to live, you sit down." They returned on planes with dozens of damages, with large fragments in their seats, miraculously surviving.
After such flights, as Olga Golubeva-Teres recalled, it was difficult to move, and sometimes it was impossible to fall asleep at all.
Leader
In life, funny, in the regiment Maria was very strict and demanding - not only to herself, but also to others. So Olga Golubeva-Teres recalled her as "unsmiling", but very restrained: "Strictly asking a subordinate, she never raised her voice, did not break into a cry, she knew how to look at the power given to her as her duty, as a necessary side of your work.
Commander she was appointed in 1943. The squadron of Maria Smirnova in 1943-1944 as part of the regiment supported the landing on the Kerch Peninsula, participated in the liberation of the Crimea and Sevastopol. In 1944, the regiment took part in the liberation of Belarus and Poland from the enemy. Then there were East Prussia, Gdyn and Gdansk.
Pilots of the 46th Taman Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment, Krasnodar Territory, May 20, 1943
© Evgeny Khaldei/TASS
Maria was awarded the Star of the Hero of the Soviet Union for "the heroism shown during the liberation of Crimea from the enemy.
" At that time, she made 805 sorties. Tasks, as noted by the management, she performed flawlessly. Fellow soldiers by that time also considered her an ace.
The 46th Guards Bap met the victory at the airfield near the city of Neubranenburg near Berlin.
After the war
After the end of the war, Maria spent the rest of her life on earth. In 1954 she graduated from the Tambov Regional Party School, was an instructor in the Propaganda and Agitation Department of the Tambov City Committee of the CPSU, then an instructor in the District Committee of the CPSU of the city of Volodarsk.
In this position, she also had to fight, only this time not with the Nazis, but with a completely different enemy.
During the period when the Likhoslavl district was assigned to her, which included the former Novokarelsky district, where she was born, all the collective farms around were considered lagging behind, and Maria decided to find out the reason by choosing the spring sowing period for this.
Former female pilots of the 46th Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment Evdokia Bershanskaya, Larisa Litvinova, Serafima Taranenko, Marina Chechneva and Yekaterina Timchenko-Aksentyuk at the Regiment's Combat Glory Museum located at Moscow School No. 213
© I. Savinova/TASS
Despite the good weather, the DT-54 tractor did not move, although the machine was new. But the cab is full of holes, there is rubbish and dirt inside, the tractor caterpillar lies on the ground, and the tractor driver and his assistant are fast asleep in the shade of the bushes. Awakened, they explained that they were not working due to a malfunction of the tractor.
"Machine troubles could have been easily fixed, but the last thing the tractor drivers thought about it." The instructor saw the same picture near the second and third cars. I visited the workshops and saw a mess there.
Maria, who was not only a strict leader, but also super careful and super thrifty, was beside herself with indignation.
Gathering everyone in the board, she immediately began a serious conversation. By that time, tractor drivers and mechanics recognized her as a famous countrywoman. It turned out that the chairman of the collective farm "let go of the reins", and the subordinates immediately took advantage of this.
Some parts were really missing and the machines were idle. Smirnova solved this issue and helped to repair everything. So they "pulled up". As a result, sowing on the collective farm was one of the first to finish.
Heroes of the Soviet Union N. Fedutenko, A. Khudyakova and Maria Smirnova after awarding the commemorative medals "Thirty Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945", May 8, 1975
© Boris Klipinitser/TASS
Later, Maria worked as an instructor Department of Party Bodies of the Kalinin City Committee of the CPSU, Engineer of the Personnel and Educational Institutions Department of the Kalinin Economic Council. Then for ten years she was the head of the personnel department of the worsted factory in Kalinin, as Tver was then called.
But her main work, probably, can be called public, in which she was very actively involved - she headed the Kalinin Regional Council of Veterans, she was often invited to speak about front-line events.
More than once Smirnova was elected a deputy of the regional and district councils of people's deputies, she was awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of the City of Tver". The life of a brave pilot was cut short in 2002, she was 82 years old.
Julia Ostrogozhskaya
TASS-Dossier data was used in the material. Publishing house of the Central Committee of the Komsomol Young Guard. 1939. 2. Golubeva-Teres O. "Pages from the flight book". Military Publishing House M. O. USSR, 1988. 3. Rakobolskaya I., Kravtsova N. We were called night witches. This is how the women's 46th Guards Regiment of Night Bombers fought. M.: Publishing House of Moscow State University, 2005. 4. Smirnova M. V. // Heroes of the Soviet Union: A Brief Biographical Dictionary / Prev.
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