Cinderella and Alangazar - страница 19

And to a new chapter in a wondrous story,

where courage mattered more than gold,

and a heart – was stronger than any sword.

Chapter 3: Night

Night descended softly,

like a velvet blanket.

Stars spilled across the sky —

silent, as if afraid to disturb

those sitting by the fire.

The flames crackled —

warm, cozy, like home.

The fire danced in Cinderella’s eyes,

reflected on Alangazar’s cheek,

and cast light on Ertoshtuk’s shoulders

as he sat with a mug of tea in his hands.

Fox had settled closer to the fire,

wrapped his tail snugly around himself

and squinted slyly.

– “One day,” he began,

and even the flames seemed to pause to listen.

– “It was just like a fairy tale!

I was walking through the forest – calm, slow.

Suddenly – wham!

There it was, hanging from a branch:

long, juicy… a sausage!

Like a holiday garland!”c

He clicked his teeth for effect.

– “So I didn’t hesitate – chomp!

Right into my mouth.

I thought: ‘Well, fate sure has a delicious sense of humor!’”

Laughter fluttered around the circle,

like a breeze across the grass.

—

“But let me tell you – the joy was short,

as short as a rabbit’s tail,”

Fox continued, now warmed up.

—

“Out of the bushes – bam!

Come Wolf, Tiger… and Lion.

Three faces. All serious – like tax collectors.

They stare at me and say:

‘Hey, Fox, what’re you chewing so politely?’”

Cinderella smiled, hugging her knees.

Alangazar snorted, anticipating the twist.

– “I’m no fool, of course. I tell them:

‘This isn’t food! It’s a magic scarf!

I bite it – I’m full. I wrap it back up – I move on!’”

– “Oh wow!” Ertoshtuk snorted.

– “And then…” Fox drew out the pause,

glancing at each of them.

– “While they were feeling my ‘scarf’ and dreaming about it,

I – zip! – into the bushes. With the sausage!

They’re probably still looking for the recipe…”

Laughter sparkled through the air,

like flying sparks.

Alangazar slapped his knee:

– “You sly fox!

A sausage-scarf – that’s genius!”

– “A clever nose always knows where dinner’s warm,”

Fox said meaningfully,

and took a satisfied sip of tea.

The fire shimmered.

A star fell.

The night embraced them all.

And in the silence after the laughter,

there was space for warmth.

For friendship.

And for fairy tales.

The Story of the Ertoshtuk

– “The key is cleverness!” said Fox proudly, eyeing everyone,

and then nodded toward Ertoshtuk.

– “And you, dungeon hero – got a story for us?”