Cinderella and Alangazar - страница 18

as if it, too, was listening.

Only the sparks from the fire crackled softly —

like the whisper of time.

– “It was far. In the north.

Where night stretches on for months.

Where icy ridges scratch the sky,

and the wind sings songs without words.

I walked alone, through the blizzard.

In white silence.

“And then… I felt it.

The air shivered.”

He paused.

The Fox tucked in his tail and whispered:

– “And what happened?”

– “A staircase,” said the Giant. “Invisible.

Hanging from the clouds like a ribbon of mist.

I reached out – and touched the wind.

Then I began to climb.”

He fell silent again.

Everyone waited —

even breath itself seemed to pause.

– “I climbed… to where the wind comes to rest,” he said.

“There, cloud-islands drifted – like sleeping whales.

And on one of them… lived a flock of birds.

Bodies like falcons.

But their heads —

like old men, silver-haired and wise.”

– “Elder birds?” Cinderella whispered, leaning closer.

– “Yes.

They spoke only in verse.

One of them looked straight into my heart

and said:

‘You seek great power – but strength is still.

He who rushes upward may stumble downhill.

Know why you walk – and the path will appear.

But if you don’t learn… you’ll remain here.’

Silence returned.

Gentle.

Reverent.

Like in a temple.

– “I sat,” the Giant murmured.

“For a long time.

Listened to the clouds.

And I understood:

I hadn’t come for wonders.

Not for glory.

I came…

because my heart had asked,

‘What else is there?’

And it couldn’t sleep without an answer.”

He placed a hand on his chest.

Then – slowly, as if revealing a secret —

he took a tiny stone from his pocket.

Almost a speck.

And it glowed.

Softly, like a firefly.

Warmly,

like a mother’s hands in childhood.

– “It stayed with me.

When I came back – the staircase was gone.

But the stone… remained.

“Here on Earth, it becomes light.

Sometimes… I leave it by the pillows

of sleeping soldiers.

Especially those who fight harder in dreams

than when they’re awake.

The light helps ease their burdens.”

The Prince sat silent, eyes half-closed.

The Fox sighed – deeply. Truly.

Masha looked at the stone

as if it had fallen from the stars.

As if it were a promise.

Cinderella smiled softly:

– “So… you’ve been there.

Where the wind comes to rest.”

The White Giant didn’t answer.

He only looked to the sky.

And there —

in that very moment —

a single star drifted slowly across.

As if someone, very wise… and very light…

had silently waved to them from above.

The Tale of the Blue Giant:

The City Made of Sound

The fire crackled softly.

Sparks drifted lazily upward, vanishing into the dark sky.

Even the shadows seemed to freeze, clinging to the trees —

as if listening.

– “Who will tell the next story?” – asked the Fox,

casting a sly glance at the Blue Giant.