Cinderella and Alangazar - страница 16

Then Cinderella looked into the flames and said:

– “I have a story.

It’s magical… a little sad,

but with a gentle ending.

It happened deep in a forest,

where one day a little girl named Masha got lost.”

She had gone out to pick berries and mushrooms,

but couldn’t find her way home.

She wandered, called out, cried—

but no one answered.

And just when she was completely worn out,

a kind old bear appeared beside her.

– “Are you alone?” he asked.

– “Yes,” Masha whispered. “I’m lost.”

And the bear took her with him.

He had a family:

a mama bear, twin bear cubs, and a grandpa bear.

They lived in a cozy den,

ate honey, and roasted chestnuts over the fire.

Masha stayed with them—

for a day, then two,

then a whole week…

and soon, the entire winter.

– “She helped the bears,

washed the cubs’ paws,

sang lullabies,

made pinecone soup,

and told stories.

She lived among them for so long,

and loved them so much,

that little by little… she began to change.”

Her ears grew softer.

Her nose stretched a little.

Her steps grew heavy, like a bear’s.

And one spring morning,

she looked into a puddle and saw her reflection—

and there, instead of a little girl…

was a young bear.

– “Was she scared?” whispered the Fox.

– “No,” Cinderella smiled.

“She smiled at her reflection.

Because she understood:

this was her family.

And it wasn’t a curse—

it was a gift.”

“Since then,

she lives in the forest,

protects little ones,

guides lost wanderers,

and sings her old human songs in the evenings.

Sometimes there’s a touch of sadness in her voice—

but more often, there’s kindness.”

– “Can she become human again?” asked Ertoshtuk.

– “She can,” said Cinderella gently.

“But you know…

for now,

she doesn’t want to.”

Masha Speaks by the Fire

When Cinderella finished telling the story about the girl who became a bear, everyone sat in silence.

The flames crackled quietly.

Someone cupped a mug of hot tea.

The Fox whispered:

– “What a story… real magic…”

And just then, from the shadows, stepped a broad-shouldered, furry, yet very tidy cook in a fluffed-up apron and a cheerful voice.

She set a pot over the fire and suddenly laughed:

– “That was me!” she said, wiping her paws. “I’m Masha – the bear-cook of the regiment!”

Everyone turned to her at once.

– “What? You?!” gasped Ertoshtuk.

– “The one from the story?” said Alangazar, scratching his chin.

– “Why didn’t you ever tell us?” asked the Prince.

– “Ah, there wasn’t much to tell,” Masha chuckled.

“I was just a girl back then.

And yes, I lived in the forest with the bears for a long time.

They taught me everything:

how to cook porridge,

pick berries,

start a smokeless fire.

I thought I’d stay there forever…

But then one day, a young, brave Cinderella came into the forest and asked me to join her enchanted regiment.

So I returned to the world of people.

Though sometimes at night, my little bear tail still tickles – it hasn’t fully forgotten…”

– “And your ears are still a bit round,” the Fox whispered.

– “And your paws make the best soup in the entire camp,” added the Prince.

– “So you’re both a human and a bear?” asked Ertoshtuk with respect.

– “Mostly,” said Masha with pride, “I’m a cook.

And to anyone who’s hungry – I’m a friend.”

That night, the soup pot was especially delicious.

Even Alangazar asked for thirds.

And Cinderella thanked Masha – not as a commander,

but as a friend.

Masha the Bear: Her Second Tale

Once upon a time, in the great Forest Kingdom,