Felix Krivin. The shortest tales. From the life of the heroes of the day. Conversation with the wheel

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Felix Krivin

Half-stories

Why half-stories? Because if a bottle is tried for drunkenness, then this cannot be called the truth. But if the bottle, upon closer examination, suddenly turns out to be not wine, it already looks like the truth. A button crawls into a noose - it's true. But because of a failed love? No, excuse me, this is a fiction However, is there no unsuccessful love in life? This means that it looks like the truth.

So - half-stories ...

Little nothings of life

– Why don't you wear glasses?– asked the Ant.

– How can I tell you ...– he answered.– I need to see the sun and the sky, and this road that leads to no one knows where. I need to see the smiles of my friends ... Little things don't interest me.

Difficult chicken

No sooner had Chicken hatched than he was immediately reprimanded for breaking an egg. My God, where did he get such manners? Obviously, this is something hereditary ...

Beanbag

- You need to be simpler, more intelligible, - instructs the Violin Rattle. - For example, they always listen to me with pleasure. Even children understand!

The picture gives an assessment of living nature:

- All this, of course, is nothing - both the background and the perspective. But you need to know some framework!

Gramophone needle

Blunt Gramophone Needle complained:

- Once I sang, and they listened to me with pleasure, but now they are plugging their ears. Still would! Are these records ?! Is this a repertoire ?!

Creative method

Among the flowers is a dispute about beauty.

Thorn takes the floor:

“I can’t agree with Rosa’s creative method in any way. Sharpness is yes! Penetration to the very depths - I understand that! But to present everything in a rosy light ...

Power of persuasion

“The room must be open,” the Doorknob thoughtfully notes as the door is opened.

“The room must be closed,” she concludes philosophically when the door is closed.

The Doorknob's persuasion depends on who pushes it.

- We seem to be on the way, - said Splinter, biting into the leg. - That's good: it's more fun in the company.

Feeling pain, the boy jumped on one leg, and Splinter noted with pleasure:

- Well, I told you that it's more fun in the company!

Dignity

The hummingbird is slightly larger than a bee, but still it is a bird!

“Our eagles are good guys,” says Hummingbird.

So, by the way, when the word has to.

The new Patch is bright enough that she cannot understand why they are trying to hide it. She stands out so much in this old suit!

Among the monotonous letters on a sheet of paper, one Blot is able to preserve its individuality. She does not imitate anyone, she has her own face, and it is not so easy to read it.

Conversation with the wheel

- It's hard for our brother, the wheel. Shake the road all your life, and just try to catch your breath, you will get such a pump!

- So they don't give you a descent?

- Oh, they don't! And even then and look - you will get under the car. That's the main thing.

- Under the car? Don't you work under the car?

- What else can you think of! I am the fifth wheel, spare ...

- Again this wind! - Sail puffs angrily. - Well, how can you work in such conditions?

But the wind disappears - and the Sail sags, stops. He no longer wants to work.

And when the wind reappears, the Sail inflates again:

- What a job! Run all day like a cursed one. If only there was no wind ...

Anniversary of Thermos.

The Decanter says:

- We have gathered, friends, to celebrate the glorious anniversary of our dear friend! (Approving clink of glasses and glasses.) Our Thermos brilliantly showed itself in the field of tea. He managed to carry his warmth without wasting it on trifles. And we, grateful contemporaries, appreciated this at its true worth: decanters, glasses, wine glasses, as well as tea glasses, which, unfortunately, are not present here.

Realizing the importance and responsibility of its mission in life, the Clock did not run: it stood guard over time.

Sitting on the forehead of a short man, Pimple looked with envy at the foreheads of tall people and thought: "I wish I had such a situation!"

The tree stump stood right next to the road, and passers-by often stumbled over it.

“Not all at once, not all at once,” Stump creaked displeasedly. - I'll take as much as I can: I can't be torn to pieces! Well, the people - they can't take a step without me!

- It will freeze, I suppose, the man, - worried Khlyastik. - Freezes hands, feet, shoulders. For the lower back, I am calm, here I am personally present. And what about other sites ::?

Empty formality

The smooth and round Billiard Ball answers Luza's invitation:

- Well, I - with pleasure! You just need to consult with Kiy first. Although this is an empty formality, but still ...

Then he flies into Luza with a bullet and smugly remarks:

- Well, I knew that Kiy would not object ...

Injustice

- You work from morning to evening, - Healthy Tooth lamented, - and no thanks to you! And Rotten Teeth - please: everyone walks in gold. For what, one wonders? For what merits?

- Paint me, - asks Patch. - I've already picked up a stick for the shaft. It remains only to paint.

- What color are you - green, black, orange?

“I’m not good at flowers,” he crumples. - I would only become a banner.

Candlestick

The old Candlestick, who has worked a lot in the field of lighting, cannot understand the new trends in any way.

“Of course, today's light bulbs are bright heads,” he agrees. But in our time, candles lived differently. They knew their place, did not rush to the ceiling, and meanwhile they literally swam in fat ...

A matter of life

The raincoat is dissatisfied with life.

In clear, sunny weather, when only for a walk, he is kept under lock and key, and when they let him out of the house, it will definitely rain.

What is it? Coincidence or malicious intent?

The raincoat cannot give an answer to this question, although his insight is well known to everyone.

He is soft, warm, malleable, he just asks into the hands of those who can arrange his fate. At this time, he does not even disdain black work - putty.

But then he finds his crack, crawls into it, settles down firmly and comfortably.

And immediately new traits appear in his character: coldness, dryness and stubborn hardness.

Freelancer

The Electric Iron asked to unplug it from the mains as it goes to creative work.

The Lead Seal is both small and inconspicuous, and everyone reckons with it. Even mighty steel castles often seek her protection.

And this is understandable: though Seal has rope, but strong enough ties.

Realizing that in trade she has some weight, Kettlebell sat on the scales, ironically looking at the products.

"Let's see who will win!" - she thought at the same time.

Most often, the weight turned out to be the same, but sometimes it happened that Kettlebell pulled over. And here's what Girya could not understand: this did not please the buyers at all.

"That is OK! She consoled herself. “Products come and go, but weights remain!”

In this sense, Giri had an iron logic.

Every morning the Shutter makes a broad gesture: our light, what is there to be sorry for, is enough for everyone.

And every evening the Shutter closes the windows more tightly: our world, no matter how others use it!

Worldly wisdom

- Just think what outrageous things are happening in the world! - Fountain pen is indignant under the counter. - I stayed here one day, and I haven't seen anything! But wait, I will write, I will write the truth about everything!

And the old Electric Kettle, which was bought every day and every time because of its uselessness was brought back, - the old Electric Kettle, which did not comprehend the complex wisdom of boiling tea, but learned the wisdom of life, yawned wearily in response:

- Hurry up, hurry up to write your truth, before they buy you ...

Printed word

The old folio is perfectly preserved, and looking at it, other books in vain tried to guess what the secret of its longevity was.

It was really difficult to guess this secret: the Folio was not revealed to anyone.

Clay is very impressionable, and anyone who touches it leaves a deep mark on it.

- Ah, the boot! - Clay turns sour. - Where did he go? I cannot live without him!

But he lives. And after a minute:

- Ah, a hoof! Nice, kind horse hoof! I will forever preserve his image in me ...

Flies are terrible women of fashion. They stop at every piece of patterned cobweb they like, examine it, feel it, ask the good-natured fat man Spider:

- How much is a millimeter?

And they usually pay very dearly.

Curtain

“Well, now we will never part with you,” the massive curtain whispered to the Nail, putting a ring on him.

The ring was not an engagement ring, but nevertheless, the Nail felt that it would be difficult for him. He bent a little under the weight and tried to go deeper into the wall.

And from the outside it all looked pretty beautiful.

Sofa Divanovna

By origin, she is the Couch, but she herself will never admit it. Now she is not a Couch, but a Sofa, for those unfamiliar - Sofa Divanovna.

Her father - a simple Sofa - bent his back all his life, but now it is not fashionable, and the Sofa has given up the back, and at the same time from other outdated concepts.

No backrest, no bolsters, no solid upholstery ... Such are they, sofas, not remembering kinship ...

Savor

Photographic film recognized light too early and therefore failed to perform well at work.

A little bit of lyrics

Screwdrivers turn heads to screws

In the kitchen, everything from the primus in a frenzy,

The alarm clock does not sleep at night -

He always dreams of a good couple.

The wood in the stove is singing like nightingales

They are not at all afraid to burn.

And all the dust is only for love

They sit on shelves and cupboards.

I get up, and she hasn't gone to bed yet. She stands under the window as she had been since the evening.

- Go away! - I chase her. - I have to work.

The night does not go very willingly. And before you have time to look back - again stands under the window.

- Why can't you sleep? I ask, not too severely.

- It's cold, - says Night. - Will you fall asleep here, will you warm yourself?

Then I turn off the light and let the Night into the room.

- Okay, warm yourself. Only this is the last time. You must leave me alone tomorrow.

Night promises, but I know that these are only words. Where will she go in the middle of winter, do not spend the night under the open sky!

Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow everything is repeated again.

It gets a little dark, Night comes to my room and leaves only at dawn. I don't want to disturb her.

And time passes, and I have no time to do anything. You can't explain this at night - it's dark, does she understand? ...

Overheard happiness

Everything fell asleep. The kitchen is completely dark. A fat, arrogant, usually gloomy and taciturn Pitcher does not notice that the Cup is not alone, that there is a Spoon next to it, and says:

- Since I saw you, Cup, nothing is cute to me on this shelf. I love you, do you hear, I love you so much that I cannot even contain this love in myself ...

The jug cannot hold much - after all, it is designed for only three liters. But love is not measured by liters, and therefore the confession of Jug sounds rather touching. At least that is how it seems to Spoon - an unwitting witness to this conversation.

- Come with me, Cup, - continues the Pitcher, - I will take you to a fairyland, to the country of Clean Tablecloths and Spacious Buffets. And if you don’t want, Cup, we will stay here and will be happy anyway.

“Come with me, Cup,” says Jug, but Spoon hears something completely different. And it seems to her that this is not the Jug at all, but her familiar little Knife.

“Come with me, Spoon,” she hears. "I love you, and therefore you will be happy with me everywhere."

And they walk, walk together, to the wonderful land of Clean Tablecloths and Spacious Buffets. Rather, they don't even go, but fly, because they are carried there by a fabulous flying carpet, which people call a tray.

Finally, here it is, this beautiful country. It really is a table with a very clean tablecloth, and in general it is so clean everywhere that untidy specks of dust are thrown out of the window in horror.

- Well, - asks Knife, when they descend from the tray to the tablecloth, - do you like it here?

- Yes, I like it very much, - Spoon answers. But most of all she likes at this moment the Knife himself, who shines with happiness.

And the little Spoon smiles at him ...

And then, when dawn looks into the kitchen, everything turns out to be completely different. The jug stands in its place, still arrogant and taciturn, and, as always, it is full of yogurt, and not love at all. And Knife has a very boring, uninteresting look. It doesn't look like he knew the way to the Land of Happiness.

But Spoon believes that it is not.

She is waiting for the night ...

The epic story fell in love with the Sun ...

Of course, it was difficult for her to count on reciprocity: the Sun has so much everything on earth that where can he notice a small ugly Bylinka! Yes, and a good couple: Epic - and the Sun!

But Bylinka thought that the couple would be good, and reached for the Sun with all her might. She reached out to him so stubbornly that she stretched out into a tall, slender Acacia.

Beautiful Acacia, wonderful Acacia - who will recognize in her now the old Bylinka! This is what love does to us, even unrequited ...

Needless to say, this Lantern was the first guy at the intersection. Wires stretched to him, slender acacias bathed merrily in its light, passers-by respectfully avoided, passing by him. But Lantern did not notice any of this. He looked up, winking with the stars, which in the evenings looked to him at the light.

But one day Lantern accidentally looked down, and this decided his fate. Below he saw a strange stranger. Dressed in all black, she obediently lay at Lantern's feet and seemed to wait for him to pay attention to her.

- Who you are? Lantern asked. “I've never seen you before.

- I am the Shadow, - answered the stranger.

- Shadow ... - Lantern repeated thoughtfully. - I have not heard. You are evidently not from here?

“I’m yours,” Shadow whispered, putting an end to all further inquiries with this unexpectedly bold answer.

The lantern was embarrassed. Although he was the first guy at the crossroads, he was not used to such easy victories.

Yet the Shadow's confession was pleasing to him. Pleasantness immediately turned into sympathy, sympathy - into infatuation, and infatuation - into love. It often happens in life.

And again, as it happens in life, after love came worries.

- Why are you lying? - Lantern asked anxiously. - Are you unwell?

“No, no, don't worry,” Shadow reassured him. - I'm perfectly healthy. But I will always lie at your feet.

- Sweet! - Lantern was touched. - I am not worth such love.

“You're bright,” said Shadow. - I will always be with you. With you alone.

The further conversation took on a character of interest only to the interlocutors.

They met every night - Lantern and his Shadow - and, by all appearances, were pleased with each other. The lantern had long forgotten about the stars and saw only his Shadow - he was not interested in anything else in the world. Even closing his eyes (and this happened during the day, because all the lanterns sleep during the day), he admired his Shadow.

But one afternoon, when Lantern was not very sleepy, he suddenly heard the voice of the Shadow. The Lantern listened and soon realized that the Shadow was talking to the Sun - a large and bright luminary that Lantern knew only by hearsay.

“I’m yours,” said Shadow to the Sun. - You see - I am at your feet ... I am yours ...

The lantern wanted to intervene immediately, but he restrained himself: it was somehow awkward to start a conversation with the outside sun. But in the evening he laid out everything to her. Should he, the Lantern, be afraid of his own Shadow!

- What does the sun have to do with it? I don't know any Sun, ”said Shadow, but the Lantern was relentless.

- Leave now! - he declared. - I don't want to know you!

- Know me, know! Whimpered Shadow. - I can't leave you.

And she was telling the truth: how could the Shadow get away from such a bright Lantern?

- Do not be angry with me! Whined Shadow. - Let's make it up…

The lantern shook his head.

Oh, in vain he did it! He shook his head too emphatically and crashed. Many then gossiped that the Lantern committed suicide out of love. And yet this only happened from his adherence to principles.

Now Shadow didn't have to beg. What could she do near the broken Lantern? She latched onto a passing Bus and was like that.

So the Shadow wanders the world, sticks to everyone, offers everyone his friendship. Perhaps she will follow you.

Honeymoon

Fat old Spider, who was no longer supported by his legs, fell off the wall right into the barrel of honey.

While he was floundering, trying to somehow get out, a young Fly flew up to the barrel. Deciding that the Spider is the master of these riches, she immediately began to weave her invisible fly webs. And the Spider, whom honey and old age finally deprived of his strength and ingenuity, of course, could not resist.

Yes, it was honeymoon!

The Spider pulled out a lot of juices from flies during its long life, but this was the first time when a fly pulled juices from it. The spider grew thinner, hunched over, and when the neighboring cockroaches looked into the barrel of honey, they shook their heads in surprise every time:

- That's the story! Vlip Spider in old age!

- Why are you sad? - asked the Chicken Travinka.

- I need rain. Without it, I will completely wither.

- Why did you hang your head? Why don't you

enough? - asked the Chicken Camomile.

- Rain, only rain I need, - answered Daisy.

I wonder who he is, this rain? He must be handsome, no match for the local roosters. Of course, handsome, if everyone is crazy about him!

So Chicken thought, and then she herself became sad. And when a young Rooster approached her, who had long sought her favor, she did not even look at him. She sat and thought and sighed. Life without love is not life, even in the best chicken coop.

- Why are you all cackling? - the hen could not resist. - I would have slept better ...

“Oh, you don’t understand anything,” the Chicken sighed again. - I need rain. Without it, I will completely wither.

The hen just spread her wings and dozed off again.

And in the morning it started to rain.

- Hey, crested! Get out and your long-awaited! - Shouted the Mother Hatch. - Run quickly before you pass!

The chicken jumped out of the chicken coop, but immediately flew back.

- He's wet! She cackled, brushing off her wings. - What an ignorant, rude! And what could Gravinka and Camomile find in it?

When the young Rooster approached her to express his sympathy, he seemed much more interesting to her. “It's nothing that he has slightly crooked legs. It's even beautiful, ”she decided to herself.

A few days later they got married and went on their honeymoon - across the yard to the woodshed and back.

How interesting it was! The rooster turned out to be a very gallant gentleman and shouted "Ku-ka-re-ku!" So amusingly that the Hen did not have to be bored.

But on the way, the newlyweds met Travinka and Camomile. Chicken's surprise knew no bounds when she saw that Travinka and Camomile rose, freshened up - in a word, they looked great. Not a trace of the former sadness remained.

- Well, how's the rain? - asked the Chicken, not without malice.

- Nice rain. So strong! It passed recently - haven't you met?

“What hypocrisy! - thought the Hen. - Of course, they rejoice not at the arrival of rain, but at its departure. I know what he's worth! "

And, picking up her Rooster, the Hen hurried away: after all, the Rooster was not bad-looking, even though he had crooked legs.

But she didn't tell him anything about the rain story. Firstly, she loved her Rooster too much to upset him, and secondly, deep down in her soul, the Chicken hoped somehow, at the opportunity, to jump out into the rain again. Just out of curiosity.

Lusatia has stopped in the middle of the road and is waiting to be noticed.

First of all, it will, of course, be mapped. The puddle will look good on the map - it has such smooth banks! Here, on this shore, a sanatorium will probably be built. On the other side is a port or something else. By the way, why does no one fall into it?

Lusa was dreaming - and this is understandable: everyone wants to find themselves in life. But now Luzhitsa will not find itself: it soared in dreams that only a dry place remained on the earth.

Modesty

“Look how nice it is in our room,” the Curtain says to the trees from the street.

“Look how good it is outside,” she says to the room furniture.

“We don't see anything,” the trees answer.

- We can't see anything, - the furniture answers.

- We see only you ...

- Only you…

- Well, what are you, - Curtain is embarrassed, - I'm not that beautiful ...

Tenderness

The rays fall on the Earth like snow, but they warm it in a completely different way.

The snow put a fur coat on her, wrapped up the Earth, advised her to be careful and strictly observe bed rest. What can you do, apparently, he, Snow, had the right to do so ...

The beams slide through the air, almost not daring to touch the Earth. They have no warm fur coats, they have no wise advice. It remains for them to warm the Earth only with their tenderness ...

Felix Krivin. I discovered this name early enough, as a middle school student. In the library of my aunt Natalya Zaitseva there was a small book of his miniatures. It was called "Half Skazki" and was published in Uzhgorod in 1964. I read it twenty times! Or even thirty! Her wise humor accompanies me to this day. Unfortunately, the name of Felix Krivin, who left behind a good two dozen of these small books, is little known to the modern reader. So, I decided to slightly expand the circle of Krivin's readers and admirers. I give the traditional good Friday smile.

HARD CHICKEN

No sooner had the chick hatched than that hour received a reprimand for breaking an egg. My God, where did he get such manners? Obviously, this is something hereditary ...

RESPONSIBILITY

“We are responsible for those we have tamed,” said the sheep that raised the wolf. These were her last words ...

CHOICE OF PROFESSION

It was quiet. It was dark. In the darkness - through the window - the yellow pupils of the stars shone. In the silence - outside the window - some rustles lurked.

The mouse said: "When I grow up big, I will definitely become a cat ..."

CLOCK

Realizing the importance and responsibility of his mission in life, the clock did not run: they stood guard over time.

SAVOR

Photographic film recognized light too early, and therefore could not properly prove itself at work.

POWER OF PERSUASION

“The room must be open,” the doorknob thoughtfully notes when the door is opened.

“The room must be closed,” she concludes philosophically when the door is closed.

The doorknob's persuasion depends on who is pressing it.

STUMP

The tree stump stood right next to the road, and passers-by often stumbled over it.

“Not all at once, not all at once,” the stump creaked with displeasure. - I'll take it as long as I can. I cannot be torn to pieces! Well, people, they can't take a step without me! "

LAMA

In the camel family, only the llama does not have a hump. The camel family is also not without its black sheep.

DISCUSSION

The ram expressed general bewilderment, the hare expressed general apprehension. Then the lion got up and expressed a general opinion.

THE ORIGIN OF THE GIRAFFE

You have to bend your neck when you live in such an environment. And it's good when there is something to bend.

FREELANCER

The electric iron asked to unplug it from the mains, as it goes to creative work.

Whip

“It will freeze, I suppose, a man,” worried the strap. - Freezes hands, feet, shoulders. I am calm about the lower back, I am personally present here, but what about other areas? "

ARMCHAIR

An important chair, a solid chair, it lends itself to warning, shrinks when they sit on it, and when they get up, it straightens up, haughtily glances around, demonstrating its independent position.

INJUSTICE

“You work from morning to evening,” the healthy tooth lamented, “and no thanks to you! And the spoiled teeth are all in gold. For what, one wonders? For what merits? "

BLOT

Among the monotonous letters on a sheet of paper, one blot is able to retain its individuality. She does not imitate anyone, she has her own face, and it is not so easy to read it.

BEANBAG

“We need to be simpler, more intelligible,” the rattle instructs the violin. - For example, they always listen to me with pleasure. Even children - and they understand! "

THE RIGHT DIET

It is better to be undernourished than overeat. Therefore, the cat eats the mouse, and not vice versa.

HEALTHY OPTIMISM

The fly believes in the fly, the midge believes in the midge. And the mouse believes in the mouse and does not believe in the cat at all.

BIRDS

An eagle perishes in every finch. From the consciousness that he is not an eagle, but a finch.

HIGHER NERVOUS PERFORMANCE

And the underfed snake can be brought to the point that it will launch a deck at you.

TELL ME WHO IS YOUR FRIEND

A dog is a friend of man, but we must also see what kind of man.

Born to Crawl

In order to rise into the sky, it is not necessary to leave the ground. Those born to crawl reach the peaks precisely because of their ability not to break away from solid ground.

HEALTHY ENVY

And so this thermos kept boiling water that the glasses literally burst with envy.

SHUTTER

Every morning the shutter makes a broad gesture: our light, what is there to be sorry about, is enough for everyone!

And every evening the shutter closes the window tighter: our light, no matter how others use it!

ZANOZA

“We seem to be on the way,” said a splinter, digging into my leg. "That's good: it's more fun in the company."

Feeling the pain, the boy jumped on one leg, and the splinter remarked with satisfaction: “Well, I told you that it’s more fun in the company!”

ACNE

Sitting on the forehead of a short man, a pimple with envy looked at the foreheads of tall people and thought: "I wish I had such a situation!"

PICTURE

The picture assesses living nature: "All this, of course, nothing - both the background and the perspective ... But you need to know some kind of framework!"

Flap

“Paint me,” Flap asks. - I've already picked up a stick for the shaft. It remains only to paint. "

"What color are you - green, black, orange?"

“I'm not good at colors,” the flap crumples. "I would only be the banner."

ENVIRONMENT

They say it all depends on the environment. Like, what our environment is, that's how we grow up. But it's not always the case.

For a hole, for example, the environment may be gold, it may be diamond, but it is still an empty space.

FROM THE LIFE OF TABLETS

“Wherever you poke, everyone strives to swallow you.” In a healthy society, this does not happen.

FROM THE LIFE OF EGGS

They themselves are cold, where they can warm each other. Therefore, they always need either a hen or a frying pan.

PEDAGOGY

No egg likes to be too incubated.

FROM THE LIFE OF INVENTORS

One very clever hare spent his life inventing an apparatus for processing hare into wolf meat. He didn't want to remain a rabbit. But such devices, it turns out, already existed, and the hare turned into a wolf without the help of his ingenious invention.

FROM THE LIFE OF THE FORTY

Where can you go to step with the times, when try to step in step with yourself!

CRUSTACEANS

So many legs, such means of transportation - and all this in order to move back!

THE SECRET OF THE NICE

In modern aquatic conditions, a fish grasps the hook like a drowning man grabs a straw.

OUR VETERANS

Even then, when there were no dinosaurs, the ciliates were already ciliates. And now, when there are no dinosaurs for a long time, the ciliates are still ciliates.

HARD TIMES

And the fish have moments of melancholy when suddenly it is painfully pulled to land.

EXAMPLE OF THE MUSSURANA SNAKE

The Musurana snake feeds exclusively on snakes and sees this as a kind of patriotism. But actually - why should we eat strangers? And why should strangers eat us? Do we have no one? Don't we have anyone? These questions are answered by the Musurana snake.

Crocodiles

It's not scary when young is green. That's when it's old and still green, it's really scary.

YOUR OPINION

Finally, the sparrow got the opportunity to express his opinion.

"Chick-chirp," said the sparrow. - Chick. Chirik. This is a chick, this is a chirp. Why chick with them? "

LIFE EXPERIENCE

There comes a time in the life of every wader when he no longer praises his swamp.

DIGNITY

The hummingbird is slightly larger than a bee, but it is still a bird!

“Our eagles are good guys,” says the hummingbird.

So, by the way, when the word has to.

WATER AND ICE

Ice is lighter than water. The transformation of water into ice is an instructive and sad example: how often an attempt to be firm in order to give yourself weight ends in embarrassment and failure.

PEDESTALS AND MONUMENTS

Once upon a time there was a pedestal. He lived and was longer than the monument itself, because he never strove to reach the peaks.

FALL

Feeling that her beauty was beginning to fade and wishing to somehow prolong her summer, the birch tree turned yellow - the most fashionable in the autumn age ...

And then everyone saw that her autumn had come.

SPACE AGE

The snowflake, slowly sinking to the ground, asks the oncoming bushes: “Is this the Earth? Please tell me which planet is this? " “Yes, it seems to be the Earth,” the bushes answer. But there is no confidence in their voice.

ANT

"Why don't you wear glasses?" - asked the ant.

“How can I tell you…” he replied. - I need to see the sun and the sky, and this road, which leads to no one knows where. I need to see the smiles of my friends. Little things don't interest me ... "

Stories not begun

APPRECIATION

... but seeing the tears in her eyes, the onion forgot that it was being cut out of excitement.

MATURITY

... and now, having entered the wide road, he was no longer torn into the cornerstones, but was content with the modest role of a stumbling block.

POSITIVE EXAMPLE

... here, for example, a spoon: she, too, is not always at ease, but this in no way prevents her from working with full dedication.

INDIVIDUALITY

... but - oh, how hard it is to be a highlight! Especially in the raisin drawer.

PLAYER

... and because he always lost in life, listening to him was especially interesting.

REFLEXES

... when there is a raid on wolves, the hares are the first to scatter.

PROBLEMS

... it is important who goes, where goes, why goes! ..

“And who does he ride,” the camel put in.

TO EACH HIS OWN

... what is left of the kangaroo? Walk around the world with a bag.

Pedigree of reptiles

... and so, reptiles, the huge lizards gradually turned into small lizards.

SCHOOL OF LIFE

... but before the birds learned to fly, how much they had to crawl!

WOLVES AND SHEEP

... and when the wolves were full and the sheep were safe, the problem arose: how to feed the sheep?

THE LEVEL OF FREEDOM

... perhaps the greatest freedom for birds is freedom to sit in a cage whenever they want.

LEVEL OF CULTURE

... and a cow, accustomed to both straw and water, will never come to pull water through a straw.

LIFE CONDITIONS

... but for a butterfly living only one day, it is not at all indifferent what the weather is like today.

FROM THE LIFE OF MICROBES

... and waking up after a million years, the microbe sees how much everything has changed around: many new microbes have appeared on the earth.

FROM THE LIFE OF HERBS

… There would be someone to bow to, and someone to bow to.

LOVE FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD

… And if the branches of one tree diverge at the top, then the branches of different trees stretch towards each other.

CLIMATE

... some lack the warmth of the south, while others lack the northern lights.

CATERING

... got the worm killed. Hunger.

THE OPINION OF A FLYING FLY ...

to burn - to burn!

BURDEN

... the hardest stones are in the bosom.

OBITUARY

... it burned out like a candle in the era of continuous electrification.

DETECTIVE

... a thorough investigation revealed that the crime was committed by a person who wished to remain anonymous.

PROGRESS

... so this small country, which only produced buttons and toothpicks, now produces everything from buttons to toothpicks.

RATES OF GROWTH

... from nobody to Robinson, from Robinson to Friday ... Such is the increase in the population of uninhabited islands.

HEALTHY SLEEP

... and if a lion surrounded by giraffes sleeps up to twenty hours a day, then a giraffe surrounded by lions sleeps no more than twenty minutes. You can't doze when you live in such an environment. Dozing is the privilege of the strong.

DEFENSE AND ATTACK

... when in the animal (and also in the human) world, the harmless pretends to be a predator, this is a means of defense, and when a predator pretends to be harmless, it is a means of attack.

ODOR OF BLOOD

... minnows swim away from the smell of blood, sharks swim to the smell of blood, but most fish do not react to the smell of blood. Does it smell? Well, it smells. Is it flowing? Well, it flows. Everything flows in the water, but nothing changes.

MOTHERLAND REMEMBERS, MOTHERLAND KNOWS

... and only after the Tasmanian wolf was completely destroyed in his own Tasmania, he got into the coat of arms of this state.

HEREDITY

... well, let's say an elephant. Or a lion. But what does a pathetic, invisible microbe have? But he also finds what to inherit.

THE POWER OF PROTEST

... and still tigers kill zebras, and zebras still express their indignation. "Devils striped!" - Zebras are outraged by tigers.

KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE

… And finally a dinner was given. The frog ate the fly, ate the frog, the hedgehog ate the snake. The dinner was held in an atmosphere of mutual understanding.

STORY

... and since the Golden Fish had few of its seas, the old man was taken away from the last old trough.

FROM LIVES OF WORKERS

... work is not a wolf, it will not go into the forest, do not hope.

FROM LIFE OF JOURNALISTS

… None of our press is complete without a press.

FROM THE LIFE OF THE REST

… We have a person at work has the opportunity to rest, but then they pay him as for rest, and not as for work.

FROM THE LIFE OF BUYERS

… In the capital there are temporary interruptions with food, and in the provinces there are constant shortages.

FROM THE LIFE OF ANNIVERSARY

... half a century is still far from the ceiling. Floor and ceiling are fundamentally opposite things.

PUBLIC STRUCTURE

... although without a tsar in my head, but with parliament and the presidential council.

HOLIDAY ON THE STREET OF THE SCAMMER

... finally the time has come for the scapegoat: he was released to another vegetable garden, to his historical homeland ... That's when the goat regretted Sidorov that she had not married him!

OSCILLATORY MOTION

... but what is the pendulum to do if it is bad both here and there?

PUBLIC

... and everyone was disappointed that he could not perform his swan song as an encore.

POINT OF VIEW

... and as for the bald head, the main thing for her is that the top should shine.

These stories are taken from the collection of Felix Krivin "Splashes of reality", published in Uzhgorod in 1996. Some of them are familiar to me from that same collection of "Half-Tricks", some I myself read for the first time.

Well, did you like Felix Krivin? Have you read his works before? I would be grateful if in the comments you can tell the writers whose work is similar to the work of Krivin. Thanks in advance. I love such short thoughts in the spirit of Ilf's notebooks, Stanislav Jerzy Lec's Uncombed Thoughts ...

P.S. Several miniatures of Felix Krivin performed by his close friend Lev Lutsker

Agatha Christie.
The life and work of the detective queen

"Where are we going? Of course, no one knows, and this is what makes you breathless ... I think that being a part of something whole is one of the most exciting mysteries of life. I love life. And no despair, hellish torments and misfortunes will ever make me forget that just living is a great blessing. "

These are words from Agatha Christie's Autobiography, a book no less fascinating than her countless detective stories; books with amazing wisdom, amazing humor and self-irony; a book that reveals to us the "detective queen" from new, unexpected sides.

During her life, she changed several names. These changes marked the beginning of new stages in the life of Agatha ...

Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller

She was born - scary to say! - even under Queen Victoria, in 1890. The way of life in their home in Torquay was not that old-fashioned, but moderately conservative.

“The greatest happiness that can happen in life is a happy childhood. I had a very happy childhood. A house and a garden dear to my heart; wise and patient Nanny; mom and dad, who loved each other dearly, who managed to become happy spouses and parents "
(from "Autobiography").
Agatha herself grew up as a developed girl, but still slightly ... limited, or something. Not as smart as Madge's older sister, not as adorable as Monty's brother.

In all honesty, in comparison with them, she looked dull, slow, tongue-tied and always hovering in the clouds.

Agatha Miller in her youth

She received her education at home and considered it unsystematic. At the same time, she was well-read, loved mathematics, played the piano perfectly, and only panic about public speaking closed her path to a career as a pianist.

This constraint, shyness and closeness accompanied her all her life. When she was presented with a puppy she had dreamed of for a long time, the girl literally became numb with delight and could not even squeeze out a "thank you". She did not dare to look at the dog and ... ran away. The father was disappointed - he thought that the baby would be happy! But the wise mother, who always understood everything, said: “She needs time. She still cannot understand everything to the end ”. And Agatha at this time was sitting in a secluded corner and comprehended the happiness that had fallen on her: "I have a dog ... a dog ... My own dog, my own real dog ..."

Agatha with her father Frederick Miller

At one of the balls, the gentleman, bringing Agatha to his mother after the dance, remarked: “Here is your daughter. She has already learned to dance beautifully. Now it would be nice to teach her and speak. "

These features of her character, surprisingly, served her well. Before the war (no one knew then that historians would call it the First World War), when an ominous shadow was already approaching Europe, society in its own way prepared for the coming troubles.

Girls and ladies from good families all enrolled in medical courses, but many of them “had no real idea of \u200b\u200bwhat it meant to care for the wounded and, with the best intentions, somehow did not think that they would have to deal with such things like ships, ducks, the effects of vomiting and the smell of rotting wounds.

I think they imagined their activities like this: straighten the pillow and tenderly whisper words of consolation to our brave soldiers. " And seeing the seamy side of life, many of them fainted and quickly found other things to do. Agatha stayed. She worked in a hospital and in a pharmacy with him for three pre-war years and the whole war, besides, she received the profession of a pharmacist (which is why most of the murders in her works will be committed with the help of poison).

No, it was not easy for her - all her life she remembered how the head nurse, who taught inexperienced girls, instructed her to remove the tightly dried bandage from the baby who had scalded her leg ...

“In the end, all you had to do was wet the bandage well. And I not only had to achieve this, but I myself had to feel the same pain as the child. I continued my work, still almost in a swoon, clenching my teeth, but achieving results and acting as gently and carefully as I could. "

Compassion for someone else's pain, a reckless desire to help - this will remain with Agatha for life. In her detective stories, the victim has always interested her much more than the criminal. And the desire to restore justice was a motive in many of her works.

Agatha Christie

With her first husband - Archibald Christie

And they were so different. But they were in love and happy! Echoes of this period of their lives can be found in the novel "The Secret Enemy" - about two lovers, Tommy and Tuppence, who found themselves after the war without money and work and eventually became detectives.

Meanwhile Mrs. Christie began to write. How this happened is not really clear. Either out of boredom, recovering from the flu, or competing with Madge, who has already published very good stories ... At first, Agatha composed poems, short stories, and then - just for fun - a detective novel. The first was Stiles' Mysterious Accident.

The story required a detective to unravel the case - and there was an eccentric Belgian with a pretentious mustache, a former policeman, obsessed with order and the work of "gray cells". She had seen a lot of Belgian refugees in wartime, the rest was a figment of the imagination. Years later, Agatha Christie will repent that in the very first novel she made Poirot elderly - she did not expect that this funny little man would live for several more decades!

The novel is written - what's next? First, second - one by one, five publishers rejected him with cute curtsies. As time went on, the whole story began to be forgotten, Agatha managed to wait for her husband from the front, to live a new life - and suddenly, two years later, in 1920, a letter arrived that the novel had been accepted and was being prepared for publication. They paid her ridiculous money, made an onerous contract - but what did she care about that! It was published! So why not try some more?

Gradually, she discovered that in addition to the pleasure of inventing intricate stories, her writing also brought money. But the fact that she became famous, even famous, came to her consciousness in a very unexpected and painful way. Her family drama became a newspaper sensation.

When the war ended, the difficulties of separation were left behind, a daughter was born, and Agatha's writing helped to buy a big house - in general, a "normal" life began - the difference between Archie and Agatha's interests became more pronounced. He has golf, golf and golf. She has writing, travel and a home. In the end, Archie was seriously carried away by his partner in the game, and it was going to divorce.

And then something strange happened. One evening Agatha's car was found over a cliff, and the owner disappeared without a trace. A scandal erupted, newspaper hype arose, for 11 days the whole country was looking for the already famous writer. Agatha was found at the hotel, where she checked in under a false name.

What really happened is still arguing. The official version is amnesia as a result of a concussion or severe nervous shock. But it is likely that the offended woman simply wanted to hurt the unfaithful husband. She did not expect that all this would get into the newspapers and become the property of the whole country.

Mary Westmacott

A similar story is described in the novel by a certain Mary Westmacott. Is this name unfamiliar to you? But this is Agatha Christie's alter ego.

How much can you convey in a detective story? When limited to a certain number of printed characters, it would be time to present an intricate plot. After the divorce from Archie, Agatha Christie remained - it was already, as they say, a brand. But besides him, our heroine took another pseudonym - Mary Westmacott, printing her novels under it. Just novels, not detective stories. In criticism, they are called psychological. They are unusual for Agatha Christie - no murder to you! - and at the same time, typical for her: seemingly simple everyday stories, human experiences, multi-layered narration, and inside - depth ...

One of the novels is called An Unfinished Portrait. It is about a young woman who is painfully going through a divorce and is hiding from everyone, thinking of suicide ... Having met a young artist on the island where she found herself, she tells him the story of her life, and then suddenly discovers that he is the one who was she waiting for ...

This novel (the second of six written by Mary Westmacott) is autobiographical. And not only the echoes of marriage with Archie, but, to some extent, the story of her second marriage.

Agatha Mallone

She's forty. He's twenty-five. Agatha is a well-known writer traveling through excavations in Mesopotamia. Max is an archaeologist, assistant to the famous scientist Leonard Woolley.

When fate accidentally pushed them together, Agatha, not assuming the possibility of any personal relationship (with such and such a difference in age!), Felt simple and calm with him, was open and sincere. He showed her the ancient cities, answered her numerous questions, helped out in difficult situations.

They chatted about this and that, told each other some stories from their lives ... And when, a few months later, Max Mallone proposed to her, she got scared and ... refused. But, thank God, he was persistent!

Agatha Christie with her second husband
- by archaeologist Max Mallown

The second marriage opened a new world for her. They lived for six months in England, and spent six months on excavations - in Nineveh, Nimrud. Agatha began to understand archeology, lived in tents somewhere in Arpachia, sketched and photographed the finds and ... wrote.

The East, with its unusual culture and customs for a European, gave much food to her imagination. In many novels, the action takes place in Baghdad, Babylon, even at the excavations. The famous Orient Express is also a part of this life, these travels. Agatha managed to write in her "oriental" detective stories both a romantic love story and a spy story.

And once a scientist friend persuaded Agatha to write a detective novel from the life of ... the ancient Egyptians. Yes Yes exactly. At the beginning of the 20th century, Egyptology experienced a rapid flowering - monuments, objects, names were returning from oblivion ... But what did people of that distant time think, how did they live, how did they solve the questions that a person of any era faced? In fact, Agatha Christie was the first writer who tried to penetrate the soul of the inhabitant of this ancient country.

I think that friend regretted a lot about his rash act, because Agatha, with her usual meticulousness, asked him for a long time about all the intricacies of everyday life, trade, nutrition of the Egyptians, so that every little thing was alive and speaking. Thus was born the novel "Death Comes as a Denouement", based on the real letters of the priest Ka, who lived during the XI Dynasty. In letters to her friends, Agatha Christie wrote that she fell in love with this people who know how to so sincerely enjoy life and do not perceive Death as something terrible.

Agatha spent the entire Second World War in London, under continuous bombardment. They even became to some extent commonplace. “In fact, it has even become commonplace to expect that you might be killed soon, that the people you love most in the world might kill, that at any moment you can learn about the death of friends.” Max managed to get him taken into the army, he served abroad, and there was no news from him for months. And Agatha supported her family, friends, acquaintances, and sometimes completely strangers. Three times a week she worked in the hospital, and the rest of the time she wrote ...

In 1956, Agatha Christie received the Order of the British Empire, and in 1971 for her achievements in the field of literature she was awarded the title of "cavalier dam" and the right to be called "Lady Agatha".

Lady Agatha

Still, what did she do for the detective genre? Why was she called the "detective queen"? Great masters, classics of detective stories were before her - Edgar Poe, Gilbert Keith Chesterton, her beloved Conan Doyle. And the classic detective canon had already taken shape by her time: a mirage intrigue, an abundance of evidence, a clever criminal, an even more discerning detective, his companion, a profane ...

Agatha Christie is dominated by a completely traditional scheme, and in terms of, say, the subtlety of the plot and the expressiveness of the characters, it is significantly inferior to the same Chesterton with his father Brown. But at the same time, she is surprisingly inventive in her plot moves, she is not afraid to experiment. Does this explain her success? Nobody knows this, and even more so she herself.

Maybe the fact is that coming up with stories was for her, first of all, an exciting game, a puzzle, similar to the ones that they were engaged in with their father in childhood? But the fact remains: only after Agatha Christie, or rather, together with her, the detective genre acquired its full shine.

She avoided describing bloody details. In contrast to contemporary authors, whose emphasis is usually on spectacular scenes of violence, on "action", her novels are outwardly almost static, but the tense "inner" action does not let the reader go to the end.

She began with works whose action develops literally at the table - the heroes share various confusing stories, and brilliantly unravels them all ... an old maid who does not crawl out of her village. Miss Marple has something of Agatha herself — an irresistible, almost squeamish disgust for crime.

And from the writer's grandmother - healthy life cynicism:

“Miss Marple is not unkind, she just doesn’t trust people. And although he expects the worst from them, there is good, regardless of what they are. "

“The innocent must be protected; he must be able to live in peace and harmony with others. What scares me is that no one seems to care about the innocent. "

Once Agatha Christie was almost lynched by critics and readers: she shamelessly cheated them, trampling all the laws of the genre! It's just that in one of the novels she made a criminal ... a storyteller! Just in case, I will not mention the name of the novel - to make it more interesting to read.

And the play "The Mousetrap" has become a cult work for England and a real record holder: it has been on the stages of London theaters for more than 60 years, while those who have watched are asked not to disclose the content. And they hold on! (True, with the advent of the Internet, all traditions have been broken.)

... In the official questionnaires in the column "occupation" Agatha Mallone always wrote: "Married lady." Yes, she wrote, but still did not think that her whole life boils down to this, and did not consider herself a "real writer."

She ended her autobiography like this:

"The child, getting up from the table, says:" Thank you, Lord, for a good dinner. " What to say to me at seventy-five? Thank you, Lord, for my good life and for all the love that was given to me. "

Felix Krivin

Half-stories

LITTLE NOTHINGS OF LIFE

Why don't you wear glasses? - they asked the Ant.

How can I tell you ... - he answered. - I need to see the sun and the sky, and this road, which leads to no one knows where. I need to see the smiles of my friends ... Little things don't interest me.

HARD CHICKEN

No sooner had Chicken hatched than he was immediately reprimanded for breaking an egg. My God, where did he get such manners? Obviously, this is something hereditary ...

BEANBAG

You need to be simpler, more intelligible, - instructs the Violin Rattle. For example, they always listen to me with pleasure. Even children understand!

The picture gives an assessment of living nature:

All this, of course, is nothing - both the background and the perspective. But you need to know some framework!

PATHONE NEEDLE

Blunt Gramophone Needle complained:

Once I sang, and they listened to me with pleasure, but now they stop their ears. Still would! Are these records ?! Is this a repertoire ?!

CREATIVE METHOD

Among the flowers is a dispute about beauty.

Thorn takes the floor:

I just can't agree with Rosa's creative method. Sharpness is yes! Penetration to the very depths - I understand that! But to present everything in a rosy light ...

POWER OF PERSUASION

The room must be open, ”Doorknob thoughtfully remarks when the door is opened.

The room must be closed, she concludes philosophically when the door is closed.

The Doorknob's persuasion depends on who pushes it.

It seems to us on the way, - said Splinter, biting into the leg. - That's good: it's more fun in the company. Feeling pain, the boy jumped on one leg, and Splinter noted with pleasure:

Well, I told you that it's more fun in the company!

DIGNITY

The hummingbird is slightly larger than a bee, but still it is a bird!

Our eagles are good guys, says Hummingbird.

So, by the way, when the word has to.

The new Patch is bright enough that she cannot understand why they are trying to hide it. She stands out so much in this old suit!

Among the monotonous letters on a sheet of paper, one Blot is able to preserve its individuality. She does not imitate anyone, she has her own face, and it is not so easy to read it.

TALK WITH THE WHEEL

It's hard for our brother, the wheel. Shake your whole life along the road, and just try to catch your breath, you will get such a pump!

So they don't give you a descent?

Oh, they don't! And even then and look - you will get under the car. That's the main thing.

Under the car? Don't you work under the car?

What else can you think of! I am the fifth wheel, spare ...

Again this wind! - Sail puffs angrily. - Well, how can you work in such conditions?

But the wind disappears - and the Sail sags, stops. He no longer wants to work at all.

And when the wind comes up again. The sail inflates again:

What a job! Run all day like a cursed one. If only there was no wind ...

Anniversary of Thermos.

The Decanter says:

We have gathered, friends, to celebrate the glorious anniversary of our dear friend! (Approving clink of glasses and glasses.) Our Thermos brilliantly showed itself in the field of tea. He managed to carry his warmth without wasting it on trifles. And we, grateful contemporaries, appreciated this at its true worth: decanters, glasses, wine glasses, as well as tea glasses, which, unfortunately, are not present here.

Realizing the importance and responsibility of its mission in life, the Clock did not run: it stood guard over time.

Sitting on the forehead of a short man, Pimple looked with envy at the foreheads of tall people and thought:

"I wish I had such a situation!"

The tree stump stood right next to the road, and passers-by often stumbled over it.

Not all at once, not all at once, ”Stump creaked displeasedly. - I'll take as much as I can: I can't be torn to pieces! Well, the people - they can't take a step without me!

It will freeze, I suppose, a man, - worried Khlyastik. - Freezes hands, feet, shoulders. For the lower back, I am calm, here I am personally present. What about other sites?

EMPTY FORMALITY

The smooth and round Billiard Ball answers Luza's invitation:

Well, I will - with pleasure! You just need to consult with Kiy first. Although this is an empty formality, but still ...

Then he flies into Luza with a bullet and smugly remarks:

Well, I knew that Kiy would not object ...

INJUSTICE

You work from morning to evening, - the Healthy Tooth lamented, - and no thanks to you! And Rotten Teeth - please: everyone walks in gold. For what, one wonders? For what merits?

Paint me, - asks Flap. - I've already picked up a stick for the shaft. It remains only to paint.

What color are you - green, black, orange?

I don't know much about colors, - Flap crumples. - I would only become a banner.

CANDLESTICK

The old Candlestick, who has worked a lot in the field of lighting, cannot understand the new trends in any way.

Of course, today's bulbs are bright heads, he agrees. But in our time, candles lived differently. They knew their place, did not rush to the ceiling, and meanwhile they literally swam in fat ...

QUESTION OF LIFE

The raincoat is dissatisfied with life.

In clear, sunny weather, when only for a walk, he is kept under lock and key, and when they let him out of the house, it will definitely rain.

What is it? Coincidence or malicious intent?

The raincoat cannot give an answer to this question, although his insight is well known to everyone.

He is soft, warm, malleable, he just asks into the hands of those who can arrange his fate. At this time, he does not even disdain the black work of putty.

But then he finds his crack, crawls into it, settles down firmly and comfortably.

And immediately new traits appear in his character: coldness, dryness and stubborn hardness.

FREELANCER

The Electric Iron asked to unplug it from the mains as it goes to creative work.

The Lead Seal is both small and inconspicuous, and everyone reckons with it. Even mighty steel castles often seek her protection.

And this is understandable: though Seal has rope, but strong enough ties.

Realizing that in trade she has some weight, Kettlebell sat on the scales, ironically looking at the products.

"Let's see who will win!" - she thought at the same time.

Most often, the weight turned out to be the same, but sometimes it happened that Kettlebell pulled over. And here's what Girya could not understand: this did not please the buyers at all.

"That is OK! she consoled herself. “Products come and go, but weights remain!”

In this sense, Giri had an iron logic.

Every morning the Shutter makes a broad gesture: our light, what is there to be sorry for, is enough for everyone.

And every evening the Shutter closes the windows more tightly: our light, no matter how others use it!

WORLD'S WISDOM

Just think what outrageous things are happening in the world! - Fountain pen is indignant under the counter. - I stayed here one day, and I haven't seen anything! But wait, I will write, I will write the truth about everything!

And the old Electric Kettle, which was bought every day and every time because of its uselessness was brought back, - the old Electric Kettle, which did not comprehend the complex wisdom of boiling tea, but learned the wisdom of life, yawned wearily in response:

Hurry up, hurry up to write your truth, before they buy you ...

PRINTED WORD

The old folio is perfectly preserved, and looking at it, other books in vain tried to guess what the secret of its longevity was.

It was really difficult to guess this secret: the Folio was not revealed to anyone.

Clay is very impressionable, and anyone who touches it leaves a deep mark on it.

Ah, the boot! - Clay turns sour. - Where did he go? I can't live without him!

This is a selection of short philosophical stories from Felix Davidovich Krivin, who unusually describes ordinary and painfully familiar things to everyone, in his half-fairy tales things come to life, live their own lives, argue, get sick, gossip, fall in love, in general, almost like people ...

ADMINISTRATIVE Eagerness

The comb, which was very uneven in handling the hair, was very active. And it got to the point that, having appeared once at his workplace, the Comb was dumbfounded:

Here you go: only three hairs left! Who do you want to work with?

No one answered her, only Baldhead smiled sadly. And in this smile, as in a mirror, the result of many years of combing work in the field of hair was reflected.

SECOND

There was a lot of talk about what you need to take care of every second.

First, the Year performed. He elaborated on the general problems of time, compared time in past times with time in our time, and in conclusion, when his time was up, he said that every second must be saved.

The day that followed him briefly repeated the main provisions of the Year and, since he did not have time for another, ended his speech by saying that every second must be saved.

Hour in everything agreed with the previous speakers. However, due to lack of time, he had to state his consent in the most condensed form.

A minute only managed to remind me that every second should be protected.

At the very end, the floor was given to Secunda.

We need to take care ... - Secunda said and - it's over.

They did not save the Second, they did not save. Apparently, little was said about it.

SCIENTIFIC DISPUTE

Ask the Doormat who is the smartest and most educated in our hall. She will immediately answer you: Galosha and Barefoot.

Galosha and Barefoot are distinguished by the fact that as soon as they are near, they immediately start scientific disputes.

How wet this world is, - begins Kalosha. - You go, you go - you will not find a dry place.

Yes you! - objects Barefoot. - The world is completely dry.

No, it's wet!

It's dry!

Their disputes are usually resolved by the Slipper:

Colleagues, leave useless arguments. The world can be both wet and dry: wet - when the hostess washes the floor, dry - all the rest of the time.

SNOWFLAKES

The snowflake was drawn to the Earth - obviously, she heard a lot of good things about the Earth.

And then Snowflake hit the road. She didn't move as fast as she wanted, because other snowflakes stopped her, and each had to be told about Earth - the best planet in the world.

Snowflakes slowly descended to the Earth, as if afraid to crush it: after all, the Earth is one, and there are too many snowflakes gathered.

Snowflakes trustingly fell to the Earth, confiding in her their dreams, their plans for the future ...

And then Boot stepped on them, a thick-skinned, blunt Boot, who, although he was on the right path, understood very little in life.

One Boot is not the whole Earth, it doesn’t mean anything compared to the Earth. But could snowflakes figure it out? Crushed by a boot, they turned into ice and did not dream of anything else.

And on this ice a lot of different shoes slipped, following the trail of the blunt Boot, which crushed small snowflakes ...

PENCIL AND RUBBER

Pencil and Gum got married, had a wedding - and live in peace.

The pencil is sharp, but the elastic is soft and pliable. So they get along.

You blundered, brother! The rubber band twirls you as it wants. You won't even have time to say a word, and she's down the drain. Where is your male pride?

And the girlfriends Gum, razors, pester her:

You give a lot of will to your Pencil. Look, you will cry with him because of your softness. He will prescribe you! ..

Such instructions eventually did their job. Pencil, in order to defend its male pride, began to carry all nonsense, and Rubber, in order to protect itself and strengthen the family, went to erase everything in general that Pencil wrote. And Pencil and Gum parted, not having lived a month.

Feathers and razors were very much affected by the discord in the Pencil family. The only consolation for them was that everything happened exactly as they predicted.

STRONG ARGUMENT

Chalk worked hard. He wrote, drew, counted something, and when he filled in the entire board, he stepped aside, asking those around him:

Well, is it clear now?

The rag was incomprehensible, and therefore she wanted to argue. And since she had no other arguments, she simply took and erased everything she had written from the board.

It was hard to object to such an argument: Rag was clearly using her official position. But Chalk did not even think to give up. He began to prove everything from the very beginning - in great detail, thoroughly, on the whole board.

His thoughts were convincing enough, but - what can you do! - The rag again did not understand anything. And when Chalk finished, she lazily and carelessly erased everything she had written from the blackboard again.

Everything that Melok proved for so long, to which he gave himself without a trace ...

PROCESS EDUCATION

A joyful event in the Drills family: a son was born.

Parents will not stop looking at their offspring, neighbors look - they are surprised: a spitting image of a father!

And they named their son Corkscrew.

Time passes, the Corkscrew grows stronger, grows mature. He would have to study a real business, try himself on metal (Drills are all hereditary metalworkers), but his parents do not give him: still young, let him first learn from something soft.

Father carries home corks - special corks approved by the Ministry of Education - and using them Corkscrew learns to drill.

This is how Drill's son is brought up - on traffic jams. When the time comes and they try to give him something firmer (they have drilled, they say, have already learned) - where there! Corkscrew and does not want to listen! He begins to look for corks for himself, to look closely at the bottles.

Old Drills are surprised; and how did their son go astray?

ON THE GUARD OF MORALITY

Lomik approached the Safe door and introduced himself:

I am a scrap. And who are you? Open up! The door was silent, but Lomik was experienced enough in such matters. He knew what was hidden behind this external isolation, and therefore, without further ado, he took up the Door ...

Leave me alone, bully! - the Door screeched.

Stop breaking out! We know you!

This scene was watched with interest by the Telephone Receiver. Her first movement was to call and tell where to, but then she thought that it was not worth getting involved, and besides, it was interesting to know how this story would end.

And when it was all over, the Telephone Receiver began ringing everywhere:

Ours is touchy! She pretends to be so true to her Key, but in fact ...

GOSSIP

Glasses saw it with their own eyes ...

Still brand new, shiny Button, she joined her life with an old, shabby Jacket. What a Jacket it was! They say that even now he has at least a dozen of such buttons, and no one will say how many before. But Pugovka had never known a single jacket in her life.

Of course, a shabby Jacket could not have convinced Button with his cloth tongue himself. Igla was to blame for everything, an old pimp who has a lot of experience in these matters. She just darted there, ducked here - from Button to Jacket, from Jacket to Button, and everything is ready, everything is sewn and covered.

The story of poor Pugovka quickly got publicity. Glasses told her to the Tablecloth, the Tablecloth, usually used to covering everyone, this time could not resist and shared the news with the Tea Spoon, the Spoon blurted everything out to the Glass, and the Glass rang all over the room.

And then, when Pugovka was in the noose, the general indignation reached the limit. It immediately became clear to everyone that the old Jacket had played an important role in the Pugovka trouble. Still would! Who will get into the noose from a good life!

CLOVE

Carnation leaned out of his shoe to see how his Master was doing, and immediately heard:

Carnation became agitated. Obviously the Master is in some kind of trouble? And Carnation leaned out even more.

Oh! Oh! - shouted the owner, and then took off his shoe and hammered Gvozdyk with a hammer.

The owner got angry, took the pliers and pulled Carnation out of his shoe. Lying in the closet among unnecessary things, Gvozdyk thought:

"A proud man! Doesn't want others to see how hard life is for him!"

OKUROK

Once on the sidewalk, Cigarette butt looked around and, not finding anything remarkable, thought with displeasure: "The situation! And my idiot should have spit me out in this place!"

Cigarette butt occupied himself with examining the passers-by, and his mood improved considerably.

Leave me alone, impudent! - Shoe was indignant. - I do not know you at all!

He-he-he! - butt smirked. - You can and get acquainted.

And when Shoe shook him off, Cigarette butt clung to the old Boot:

Are you still creaking, daddy? Isn't it time for the landfill?

Cigarette butt remembered about the dump in time: the Broom had already noticed it.

INNOCENT BOTTLE

The bottle was tried for drunkenness, but she turned out to be innocent.

The trial, of course, was not a real one, but a comradely one - as you know, drunkenness is not tried. But for the Bottle, that was enough.

The most indignant were the Glass and the Glass. The glass urged those present to "take a sober look at things," and the Glass asked to finish as soon as possible, because it, the Glass, cannot stand the smell of alcohol.

And then it suddenly turned out that the Bottle was not wine. This was clearly proved by the witness Sock, who had to constantly deal with the Bottle at work.

Everyone immediately felt uncomfortable. Nobody knew what to say, what to do, and only Corkscrew (who knew how to get out of any position) shouted cheerfully:

Brothers, this event should be celebrated! Come on, I'll treat you!

And everyone was heartily happy that the Bottle, which they had recently judged so severely for drunkenness, was completely innocent ...

AN EXPERIENCE

What professions have bubbled not tried!

He was a physician - was eliminated for lack of content. He tried himself in bookbinding - he also had to leave: something was not going well there. Now Bubble, having stocked up on ink, decided to write books. Maybe he will make a writer?

It should work out: after all, Bubble went through such a life school!

CUFFLINKS

The cufflinks are very graceful, they give the Shirt an elegant and even sophisticated look.

But they stop her from rolling up her sleeves. And this is so necessary in life ...

CURTAIN

Whenever the performance drew to a close, the Curtain was very worried, preparing for its exit. How will the audience meet him? He carefully examined himself, brushed off some barely noticeable fluff and - went on stage.

The hall was immediately animated. The spectators got up from their seats, clapped, shouted "bravo". Even Curtain, an old, tried-and-true stage worker, felt a bit uncomfortable at being so enthusiastically greeted. Therefore, with a slight wave to the audience, the Curtain hurried back behind the scenes.

The applause intensified. "They are calling," thought the Curtain. "What can you do, you have to go out!"

So he went out several times in a row, and then, after hesitating a little, he completely remained on the stage. He wanted to reward the audience for their attention.

And then - here it is, black ingratitude! - the audience began to disperse.

LAMP POST

After completing his higher education in the forest, Oak, instead of going to a construction site, decided to take root in the city. And since there were no other vacant places, he got a job as a Lamp Post in a city park, in the darkest corner - a real reserve for lovers.

The lamppost set to work with a light and so brightly illuminated this previously secluded place that not a single lover was left there.

And this is youth! - the Pillar lamented. - And these are young people who, it would seem, should reach for the light! What darkness, what uncouthness!

LATTICE

The Prison Lattice knows life inside and out, which is why it crosses everything out so easily.

Of course, you also need to have an approach to it. If you approach her from the outside, she will cross out her camera, and if, God forbid, you approach her from the inside, she will cross out the whole world, and this will not be easy for you to come to terms with.

This Lattice is amazingly arranged: it can cross out anything, and at the same time stand firmly in its positions.

MONEY BOX

Learn to live! - instructed the clay piggy bank to their neighbors in the apartment. - Here I am, for example: I occupy a prominent position, I do nothing, and the money keeps pouring in.

But no matter how much money was thrown into the piggy bank, everything seemed to her a little.

What a piglet! she called. - Another dime!

Once, when the piggy bank was already full, they tried to shove another coin into it. The coin did not fit, and the piggy bank was very worried that this money would not go to her. But the owner judged differently: he took a hammer and ...

In an instant, the Piggy Bank lost both money and a prominent position: only shards remained from it.

NETTLE

Oh, how Nettle was indignant when the boys picked flowers! And not because of the flowers, no - it was just that Nettle was annoyed that no one tried to pluck her ... And meanwhile, Nettle would have nothing against it.

But once happiness smiled at her. Having caught the thief by the collar, the Gardener - understandably, an adult, intelligent man - reached not for some flower, but for her, Nettle. And with what delight Nettle whipped the gape lover of flowers! She understood that good tastes must be brought up from childhood.

MERCURY

I heard Mercury how people melt iron, and now you cannot touch it: it runs away, it is not given. Everyone is afraid that she might be melted down too. Even at work, in a thermometer, Mercury cannot get rid of fear. As soon as she feels the warmth, she runs up the column! And then he remembers, stops and shows as if nothing had happened: "The temperature is normal - thirty-six and six."

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING

Thunder - what, Thunder is not afraid of Lightning. True, he somehow cannot talk with her face to face. This Lightning is painfully hot: how it will flash!

At this time, Thunder and the white nose does not show. Neither see him nor hear him. But when he notices that Lightning is not on the horizon, then you cannot hold him back.

How long, - thunders, - to endure all this ?! Yes, I'm for such a thing! ..

So it will disperse, so it will rage - just listen to him! He will not be silent, he will lay out everything, just be sure!

It is a pity that Lightning cannot hear him.

Scarecrow

Delighted with his appointment to the garden, the Scarecrow calls the guests to a housewarming party. It zealously waves to the flying birds, inviting them to descend and feast for their pleasure. But the birds jump aside and hurry to fly away.

And the Scarecrow is still standing and waving and calling ... He is very upset that no one wants to share his joy.

ETERNITY

When Granite Block was two million years old, a newly born Dandelion appeared next to her - perhaps to congratulate her.

Tell me, ”Dandelion asked,“ have you ever thought about eternity? The Granite Block didn't even move.

No, she said calmly. - Life is so short that you shouldn't waste time thinking.

Not so short, Dandelion objected. - You can do everything if you want.

What for? - Glyba was surprised. - From these reflections only frustration. You will also get sick on the basis of nerves.

Don't dump on the ground! - Dandelion got angry. - Our soil is good - pure black soil ...

He was so angry that his fluff flew in the wind.

The slender stalk swayed stubbornly in the wind, but could no longer give a single convincing argument.

So much for eternity. Consolation for fools. No, it’s better not to think at all, ”said Glyba and thought.

On the stone forehead, which could not be furrowed for millennia, the first crack lay ...

AN APPLE

The apple hid among the leaves while his friends were plucked from the tree.

He did not want to fall into the hands of a man: you will, and they will make a compote out of you, what good! Pleasant little.

But being alone in a tree is also a small pleasure. It's more fun to die in a team.

So maybe look out? Or not? Look out? Or not worth it?

The apple was sharpened by the worm of doubt. And he sharpened until there was nothing left of Yabloko.

COAST

Aren't you afraid to drown? - asked the Wave Sliver.

Drown? - the Wave was alarmed. - You said - drown?

And for the first time Wave wanted to go to the shore.

She came running just in time to seize a better place on the shore, and settled on the soft sand, preparing to start a new life - without worry or excitement.

And then she felt that the soil was leaving from under her feet.

I'm drowning! - Wave sobbed and went underground.

THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT

A sheep stands in front of a hairdresser and looks with envy at the cutting audience.

If the Sheep had money, she would definitely come in for a haircut!

EVENING TEA

When the Kettle, having finished its vigorous activity in the kitchen, appears in the room, everything on the table starts to move. Cheerfully jingle, greeting him, cups and spoons, respectfully removes the lid of the Sugar Bowl. And only the old plush Tablecloth frowns contemptuously and hurries to clear the table, saving its spotless reputation.

SINK

The Spoiled Crane considered himself a first-class speaker. He poured water all day long, and even buckets, pots and bowls, which, as you know, are no stranger to, said in one voice: "No, we've had enough!"

But Crane had a Sink - a faithful friend of his life. She regularly absorbed all the pearls of his eloquence and was downright choking with admiration. True, she could not hold anything and remained empty, but this was also a consequence of her serviceability.

LIGHT

Chandelier was highly respected in an electrical appliance store.

She only needs to get to her ceiling, ”the table lamps said. - Then the world will immediately become brighter.

And for a long time, having already taken places on the desks, the table lamps remembered their famous countrywoman, who now - wow! - has become a great luminary.

Meanwhile, the chandelier spent days and nights in the restaurant. She settled down well, in the very center of the ceiling, and, blinded by her own brilliance, burned in the evening as much as the table lamps would last for a lifetime.

But this did not make the world any brighter.

CASKET

Eh you, Box, - the Table Lamp says to the Box, - look what is written on the pieces of paper that you keep.

But the Casket, no matter how much it tries to look into itself, cannot read anything.

What is written there? she asks.

Yes, these are the most controversial things. On one piece of paper "I love you", on the other, on the contrary, - "I do not love you." Where is your adherence to principles after that?

The box ponders. Indeed, she never delved into the content of the pieces of paper that she has to keep. And there, it turns out, God knows what is written. It will be necessary to understand this matter!

Then the hostess enters the room. She sits down at the table, opens the box, and suddenly - drip, drip, drip - tears drip from her eyes.

Seeing that the hostess is crying, poor Casket is completely upset.

Of course, she decides, this is all because of my lack of principle.

BOSTER IN THE FOREST

The fire was dying out.

There was barely a glimmer of life in him, he felt that not even an hour would pass before a heap of ashes would remain from him - and nothing else. A small pile of ash among a huge dense forest.

The fire crackled faintly, crying for help. The red tongue feverishly licked the blackened coals, and the Brook, running by, saw fit to inquire:

Water for you?

The fire hissed with impotent anger. He only lacked water in his position! Obviously, realizing the inappropriateness of his question, Brook grumbled some kind of apology and hurried away.

And then bushes bent over the dying fire. Without a word, they held out their branches to him.

The fire eagerly grabbed the branches, and a miracle happened. The fire, which seemed to be completely extinguished in him, flared up with renewed vigor.

This is what a timely help line means for a fire!

The fire rose, leaning on the bushes, stood up to his full height, and it turned out that he was not at all that small. Bushes crackled under him and drowned in flames. There was no one to save them. And the Bonfire was already torn up. He became so tall and bright that even the trees reached out to him: some admired his beauty, others just to warm their hands.

The distant trees envied those who were near the Fire, and they themselves dreamed of how to approach it.

Bonfire! Bonfire! Our Bonfire! - distant trees rustled. - It warms us up, it illuminates our lives!

And the nearby trees crackled even louder. But not from admiration, but because the Koster devoured them with his flame, crushed them under him in order to rise even higher. Which of them could resist the wild power of the giant Fire in the forest?

But there was still a force that extinguished the Bonfire. A thunderstorm struck, and the trees shed heavy tears - tears over the Fire, to which they were accustomed and which died out before they could devour them.

And only later, much later, when the tears dried up, the trees made out a huge black ashes in the place where the Fire was raging.

No, not Bonfire - Fire. Forest fire. Terrible natural disaster.

ROAD

The Path ran to the Road and stopped in admiration.

Aunties, aunties, where are you so big from?

Usually, - Doroga explained reluctantly. - Was small, like you, and then grew up.

I wish I could grow up! - Trail sighed.

What good is there? Everyone rides you, everyone stomps on you - that's all the joy.

No, not all, - said the Path. - While I'm little, they don't let me go far, and then I would ... wow, how far I have gone!

Long away? Why far? I've reached the city, and that's it, I've had enough ...

The Path drooped and wandered back into the forest. "I'm over it!" Is it worth it to be expensive? Maybe it's better to stay the Path, to get lost forever in the forest?

No, not better, not at all better. It's just that the Path was wrong this time, it just went out on the wrong road.

LITTLE NOTHINGS OF LIFE

Why don't you wear glasses? - they asked the Ant.

How can I tell you ... - he answered. - I need to see the sun and the sky, and this road, which leads to no one knows where. I need to see the smiles of my friends ... Little things don't interest me.

PICTURE

The picture gives an assessment of living nature:

All this, of course, is nothing - both the background and the perspective. But you need to know some framework!

CREATIVE METHOD

Among the flowers is a dispute about beauty.

Thorn takes the floor:

I just can't agree with Rosa's creative method. Sharpness is yes! Penetration to the very depths - I understand that! But to present everything in a rosy light ...

POWER OF PERSUASION

The room must be open, ”Doorknob thoughtfully remarks when the door is opened.

The room must be closed, she concludes philosophically when the door is closed.

The Doorknob's persuasion depends on who pushes it.

ZANOZA

It seems to us on the way, - said Splinter, biting into the leg. - That's good: it's more fun in the company. Feeling pain, the boy jumped on one leg, and Splinter noted with pleasure:

Well, I told you that it's more fun in the company!

PATCH

The new Patch is bright enough that she cannot understand why they are trying to hide it. She stands out so much in this old suit!

TALK WITH THE WHEEL

It's hard for our brother, the wheel. Shake your whole life along the road, and just try to catch your breath, you will get such a pump!

So they don't give you a descent?

Oh, they don't! And even then and look - you will get under the car. That's the main thing.

Under the car? Don't you work under the car?

What else can you think of! I'm the fifth wheel, spare ...

SAIL

Again this wind! - Sail puffs angrily. - Well, how can you work in such conditions?

But the wind disappears - and the Sail sags, stops. He no longer wants to work at all.

And when the wind comes up again. The sail inflates again:

What a job! Run all day like a cursed one. If only there was no wind ...

ANNIVERSARY

Anniversary of Thermos.

The Decanter says:

We have gathered, friends, to celebrate the glorious anniversary of our dear friend! (Approving clink of glasses and glasses.) Our Thermos brilliantly showed itself in the field of tea. He managed to carry his warmth without wasting it on trifles. And we, grateful contemporaries, appreciated this at its true worth: decanters, glasses, wine glasses, as well as tea glasses, which, unfortunately, are not present here.

CLOCK

Realizing the importance and responsibility of its mission in life, the Clock did not run: it stood guard over time.

ACNE

Sitting on the forehead of a short man, Pimple looked enviously at the foreheads of tall people and thought: "I wish I had such a situation!"

STUMP

The tree stump stood right next to the road, and passers-by often stumbled over it.

Not all at once, not all at once, ”Stump creaked displeasedly. - I'll take as much as I can: I can't be torn to pieces! Well, the people - they can't take a step without me!

INJUSTICE

You work from morning to evening, - the Healthy Tooth lamented, - and no thanks to you! And Rotten Teeth - please: everyone walks in gold. For what, one wonders? For what merits?

CANDLESTICK

The old Candlestick, who has worked a lot in the field of lighting, cannot understand the new trends in any way.

Of course, today's bulbs are bright heads, he agrees. But in our time, candles lived differently. They knew their place, did not rush to the ceiling, and meanwhile they literally swam in fat ...

QUESTION OF LIFE

The raincoat is dissatisfied with life.

In clear, sunny weather, when only for a walk, he is kept under lock and key, and when they let him out of the house, it will definitely rain.

What is it? Coincidence or malicious intent?

The raincoat cannot give an answer to this question, although his insight is well known to everyone.

SEAL

The Lead Seal is both small and inconspicuous, and everyone reckons with it. Even mighty steel castles often seek her protection.

And this is understandable: though Seal has rope, but strong enough ties.

WEIGHT

Realizing that in trade she has some weight, Kettlebell sat on the scales, ironically looking at the products.

"Let's see who will win!" - she thought at the same time.

Most often, the weight turned out to be the same, but sometimes it happened that Kettlebell pulled over. And here's what Girya could not understand: this did not please the buyers at all.

"Well, nothing! - she consoled herself. - Products come and go, but weights remain!".

In this sense, Giri had an iron logic.

CLAY

Clay is very impressionable, and anyone who touches it leaves a deep mark on it.

Ah, the boot! - Clay turns sour. - Where did he go? I can't live without him!

But he lives. And after a minute:

Ah, the hoof! Nice, kind horse hoof! I will forever preserve his image in me ...

Fashionistas

Flies are terrible women of fashion. They stop at every piece of patterned cobweb they like, examine it, feel it, ask the good-natured fat man Spider:

How much is a millimeter?

And they usually pay very dearly.

PORTER

Well, now we will never part with you, '' the massive curtain whispered to the Nail, putting a ring on him.

The ring was not an engagement ring, but nevertheless, the Nail felt that it would be difficult for him. He bent a little under the weight and tried to go deeper into the wall.

And from the outside it all looked pretty beautiful.

SOFA DIVANOVNA

By origin, she is the Couch, but she herself will never admit it. Now she is not a Couch, but a Sofa, for those unfamiliar - Sofa Divanovna. Her father, a simple Sofa, bent his back all his life, but now it is not fashionable, and the Sofa has given up the back, and at the same time from other outdated concepts. No backrest, no bolsters, no solid upholstery ... Such are they, sofas, not remembering kinship ...

* A LITTLE LYRIC *

Screwdrivers turn heads to screws

In the kitchen, everything from the primus in a frenzy,

The alarm clock does not sleep at night -

He always dreams of a good couple.

The wood in the stove is singing like nightingales

They are not at all afraid to burn,

And all the dust is only for love

They sit on shelves and cupboards.

NIGHT

I get up, and she hasn't gone to bed yet. She stands under the window as she had been since the evening.

Go away! - I chase her. - I have to work. The night leaves not very willingly. And before you have time to look back - again stands under the window.

Why can't you sleep? I ask, not too severely.

It's cold, - says Night. - Will you fall asleep here, will you warm yourself?

Then I turn off the light and let the Night into the room.

Okay, warm up. Only this is the last time. You must leave me alone tomorrow. Night promises, but I know that these are only words. Where will she go in the middle of winter, do not spend the night under the open sky!

Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow everything is repeated again. It gets a little dark, Night comes to my room and leaves only at dawn. I don't want to disturb her.

And time passes, and I have no time to do anything. You can't explain this at night - it's dark, does she understand? ..

LOVE

The Epic fell in love with the Sun ...

Of course, it was difficult for her to count on reciprocity: the Sun has so much everything on earth that where can he notice a small, ugly Epic! Yes, and a good couple: Epic - and the Sun!

But Bylinka thought that the couple would be good, and reached for the Sun with all her might. She reached out to him so stubbornly that she stretched out into a tall, slender Acacia.

Beautiful Acacia, wonderful Acacia - who will recognize in her now the old Bylinka! This is what love does to us, even unrequited ...

SHADOW

Needless to say, this Lantern was the first guy at the intersection. Wires stretched to him, slender acacias bathed merrily in its light, passers-by respectfully avoided, passing by him. But Lantern did not notice any of this. He looked up, winking with the stars, which in the evenings looked to him at the light.

But one day Lantern accidentally looked down, and this decided his fate. Below he saw a strange stranger. Dressed in all black, she obediently lay at Lantern's feet and seemed to wait for him to pay attention to her.

Who you are? Lantern asked. “I've never seen you before.

I am the Shadow, - answered the stranger.

Shadow ... - Lantern repeated thoughtfully. - I have not heard. You are evidently not from here?

I'm yours, - whispered Shadow, with this unexpectedly bold answer putting an end to all further questions.

The lantern was embarrassed. Although he was the first guy at the crossroads, he was not used to such easy victories.

Yet the Shadow's confession was pleasing to him. Pleasantness immediately turned into sympathy, sympathy - into hobby, and hobby - into love. It often happens in life.

And again, as it happens in life, after love came worries.

Why are you lying? - Lantern asked anxiously. - Are you unwell?

No, no, don't worry, ”the Shadow reassured him. - I'm perfectly healthy.

But I will always lie at your feet.

Sweet! - Lantern was touched. - I am not worth such love.

You're bright, ”said Shadow. - I will always be with you. With you alone.

The further conversation took on a character of interest only to the interlocutors.

They met every night - Lantern and his Shadow - and, by all appearances, were pleased with each other. The lantern had long forgotten about the stars and saw only its Shadow - nothing else in the world interested him more. Even closing his eyes (and this happened during the day, because all the lanterns sleep during the day), he admired his Shadow.

But one afternoon, when Lantern was not very sleepy, he suddenly heard the voice of the Shadow. The Lantern listened and soon realized that the Shadow was talking to the Sun - a large and bright luminary that Lantern knew only by hearsay.

I'm yours, - said the Shadow to the Sun. - You see - I'm at your feet ... I'm yours ...

The lantern wanted to intervene immediately, but he restrained himself: it was somehow awkward to start a conversation with the outside sun. But in the evening he laid out everything to her. Should he, the Lantern, be afraid of his own Shadow!

Leave now! - he declared. - I don't want to know you!

Know me, know! whimpered Shadow. - I can't leave you.

And she was telling the truth: how could the Shadow get away from such a bright Lantern?

Do not be angry with me! whined Shadow. - Let's make it up...

The lantern shook his head.

Oh, in vain he did it! He shook his head too emphatically and crashed. Many then gossiped that the Lantern committed suicide out of love. And yet this only happened from his adherence to principles.

Now Shadow did not have to beg. What could she do near the broken Lantern? She latched onto a passing Bus and was like that.

So the Shadow wanders the world, sticks to everyone, offers everyone his friendship. Perhaps she will follow you.

HONEYMOON

Fat old Spider, who was no longer supported by his legs, fell off the wall right into the barrel of honey.

While he was floundering, trying to somehow get out, a young Fly flew up to the barrel. Deciding that the Spider is the master of these riches, she immediately began to weave her invisible fly webs. And the Spider, whom honey and old age finally deprived of his strength and ingenuity, of course, could not resist.

Yes, it was honeymoon!

The Spider pulled out a lot of juices from flies during its long life, but this was the first time when a fly pulled juices from it. The spider grew thinner, hunched over, and when the neighboring cockroaches looked into the barrel of honey, they shook their heads in surprise every time:

That's the story! Vlip Spider in old age!

CHICKEN

And in the morning it started to rain.

Hey, crested! Get out and your long-awaited! - Shouted the Mother Hatch. - Run quickly before you pass!

The chicken jumped out of the chicken coop, but immediately flew back.

It's wet! she cackled, brushing off her wings. - What an ignorant, rude! And what could Gravinka and Camomile find in it?

When the young Rooster approached her to express his sympathy, he seemed much more interesting to her. "It's okay that he has a little crooked legs. It's even beautiful," she decided to herself.

A few days later they got married and went on their honeymoon - across the yard to the woodshed and back.

How interesting it was! The rooster turned out to be a very gallant gentleman and shouted "Ku-ka-re-ku!" So amusingly that the Hen did not have to be bored.

But on the way, the newlyweds met Travinka and Camomile. Chicken's surprise knew no bounds when she saw that Travinka and Camomile rose, freshened up - in a word, they looked great. Not a trace of the former sadness remained.

Well, how's the rain? - asked the Chicken, not without malice.

Nice rain. So strong! It passed recently - haven't you met?

“What hypocrisy!” Thought the Chicken. “Of course, they rejoice not at the arrival of rain, but at its departure. I know what it is worth!”

And, picking up her Rooster, the Hen hurried away: after all, the Rooster was not bad-looking, even though he had crooked legs.

But she didn't tell him anything about the rain story. Firstly, she loved her Rooster too much to upset him, and secondly, deep down in her soul, the Chicken hoped somehow, at the opportunity, to jump out into the rain again. Just out of curiosity.

Lusatia has stopped in the middle of the road and is waiting to be noticed.

First of all, it will, of course, be mapped. The puddle will look good on the map - it has such smooth banks! Here, on this shore, a sanatorium will probably be built. On the other side is a port or something else. By the way, why does no one fall into it?

The smoke was already beginning to breathe - calmly, measuredly, according to all the rules of medicine - but suddenly something stifled his breathing. Even an outside observer would immediately notice that something was wrong with the Smoke: he seemed to froze in place and stared at one point ... As a matter of fact, it was not a point, but a cloud, a small white cloud against a clear spring sky. She was very beautiful, this Cloud, curly and fluffy, in a sky blue shawl and a necklace of sunbeams. So it shouldn't be surprising that Smoke was looking at her.

They say there is no smoke without fire, and our Smoke was by no means an exception to the general rule. At the sight of the Cloud, he felt a fire in himself and - rushed to her.

Here I am! - Smoke blurted out from the bay, rushing to the Tuchka and looking at her with all his eyes. - Want to meet me? The cloud grimaced.

Are you drunk? she asked. - Why are you bothering me?

But she was not attentive, this white Cloud. She was used to soaring in the sky, and what did she care about Smoke with its plant, with its everyday worries? .. She pressed against the Wind and had completely forgotten about Smoke.

And the Smoke kept melting and melting. And now it has disappeared like smoke - that is, like any other smoke would have disappeared in its place.

And only now the Tuchka regretted him. Only now she felt that the freshness of the Wind was not all, that he was too harsh and in general he had a wind in his head.

The smoke was different. He was more serious and softer, he was embarrassed, shy, he wanted to tell Tuchka something about his plant ... Now Tuchka will never know what he wanted to tell her.

One could burst into tears at the thought. And the cloud began to cry. She cried bitterly and heavily, cried until she cried out all over herself.

AUTUMN TALE

Look out the window: can you see the lonely leaf spinning in the wind? The last leaf ... Now it is yellow, but once it was green. And then he did not circle around the world, but sat on his branch next to a young, rosy cherry, which he loved with all his heart.

And, looking at the cheerful, selfless fuss of the Kitten, somehow I could not believe that this dirty, scanty, helpless tail could bring so much joy.

Original: sample from