Those who knew him understood and shouted:
– Fall this way! Fall toward us!
They knew he’d do the opposite.
But those who didn’t know him screamed in fear:
– No! Not toward us! Fall away! Fall far away!
And that only made things more dangerous.
He stood, swaying between fear and hope, unsure where to fall…
Then one wise voice from the crowd shouted:
– People! He always does the opposite. If you want to live – tell him to fall on us!
And a miracle happened. The people overcame their fear. Hundreds of voices cried out in unison:
– Fall on us, Great Gazar! Fall this way! We are not afraid!
Grandfather smiled – for the last time. He took a step back… and fell into the river.
His body shattered, but one of his bones became a bridge. Since then, people have crossed it – from village to village, from market to home, with hope in their hearts. A bridge from a giant who chose to be useful even in his final moment.
And when I walk across that bridge, I always feel warmth under my feet. That’s my grandfather’s heart. Still warming people to this day.
When Alangazar finished, the garden fell silent.
Cinderella sat motionless, mouth slightly open, eyes wide. Her golden curls stirred gently in the breeze, but she seemed spellbound. A single tear sparkled on her cheek.
– That… that’s the most incredible story I’ve ever heard, – she whispered. – And you know, Alangazar… I would have shouted, “Fall on us,” too.
She stood, stepped closer, and laid her hand on his enormous palm – like a drop of water on a burdock leaf.
– Thank you for carrying the memory of giants. For serving. And for telling stories that give me goosebumps.
Alangazar blushed – well, as much as a giant can. His ears turned pink, and his eyes almost released two buckets of tears.
– Thank you, Your High… – he started, his voice trembling.
– No more "Your Highness," – said Cinderella, clapping her hands. – Today, I’m just Cinderella. And you’re the Grandson of the Bridge. Come, I’ll show you my lemon tree. It’s stubborn too – refuses to bear fruit. Maybe it needs a good story?
And so they walked, the giant and the princess, down the garden path like old friends.
When they returned from the garden, soldiers were already gathered on the porch – one with a mug of juice, another with a cat on his shoulder, a third with a guitar missing its strings.