Cinderella and Alangazar - страница 15

She cupped it in her hands and said:

– “Thank you, Mister Giant. That’s enough.”

And then she vanished.

After that, the Giant’s chest grew cold.

Too cold for laughter.

Too cold for song.

So, he sat down among the blue trees

and didn’t move for many years.

His hair turned into icicles.

His eyes reflected snow.

Even the birds stopped visiting.

That’s when the Mamyts found him.

They didn’t knock.

They just climbed up and sat quietly on his shoulders.

Didn’t ask him to laugh.

Didn’t beg for stories.

Just warmed his back with their furry bellies

and whispered things like:

– “You’re still good.”

– “We’re not afraid of your quiet.”

– “Let’s just sit here together a while.”

And they did.

For a long time.

Until, one spring,

a giggle escaped the Giant’s lips.

Just a little one.

Soft and clumsy.

But the trees heard it—

and bloomed in a blush of pale blue flowers.

And the Mamyts?

They grinned.

Because they knew:

even a silent heart remembers how to laugh if someone waits with it long enough.

The White Giant Tells a Tale: The Ice Fish

The White Giant scratched his head and said:

– "Once, I caught… the silliest fish in the world!

My brother, the Blue Giant, and I were fishing on the Lake of Silence.

And suddenly—I pulled out… an ice block.

And inside it—frozen solid—was a fish!"

– "Frozen?" gasped Ertoshtuk.

– "Yes! And guess what? I dropped it into warm water—

and it came back to life!

It blinked, looked at me, and said:

‘You’ve caught me, Giant. Now make a wish!’

And I panicked and said: ‘I want lots of carrot pie!’"

– "And then?" asked Cinderella.

– "The fish said, ‘Wish granted!’—and jumped right back into the lake.

I didn’t understand… until I saw a hare dash up to the pastry stall in the village,

grab a carrot pie,

and deliver it straight to me—before hopping away again.

Ever since that day—I believe in miracles.

Even a silly fish can work a bit of magic!"

Everyone laughed—

even Ertoshtuk smiled a little.

Kayran spoke softly:

– "I used to be just a boy.

I played in the forest, caught dragonflies, built little huts from branches.

But one day… I fell into a deep pit.

It was the entrance to an underground world.

Down there—it was quiet.

I called out for help, but no one came.

So I just… stayed.

Built a little house from glowing stones,

befriended the bats,

and slowly learned the language of the underground rivers."

– "Weren’t you lonely?" asked Cinderella.

– "At first—yes.

But then… I began to hear sounds from above.

Laughter. Voices.

One voice stood out—it was Ertoshtuk.

He had ended up down here too, while running from a witch.

That’s how we became friends."

– "But how did you become a spirit?" whispered the Fox.

– "You know… I didn’t even notice at first.

I just stayed too long.

But I’m not angry.

I’m not scary.

Now I help the lost ones—like I once was.

I show them secret paths.

I guard hidden treasures,

so the bad ones don’t take them."

He smiled.

– "And now, sometimes… I come up to the surface.

To sit by the fire.

To listen to stories.

It feels like being alive again—if only for a while."

The Blue Giant gently held out a mug of warm compote.

It passed through Kayran’s hand—

but he nodded in thanks.

– "Thank you for listening,"

he said,

and faded into the night—

leaving behind a faint, shimmering glow.

Cinderella’s Fireside Tale: “How Masha Became a Bear”

The fire crackled softly.

Sparks rose into the sky.

Everyone sat quietly, wrapped in blankets and shawls.