Cinderella and Alangazar - страница 27

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,

there lived a bear.

But not just any bear – a special one.

Her name was Masha the Bear.

When she wished,

she was brown and furry,

with paws like cushions.

And when she chose,

she became a girl – graceful, bright-eyed,

with eyes the color of honey at sunset.

She could do everything:

climb trees,

make raspberry soup,

talk to squirrels,

dance with owls,

and of course – shift forms…

but only when her heart whispered it was time.

One day, as the pines were singing of spring, two visitors entered the forest.

The first was Arthur – a young man in a white cloak.

A cousin of the prince-king.

Polite, poetic, with a scent of almonds and verses in his pocket.