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For big and small people
Roman Akimov
«For big and small people» is a collection of captivating stories for the whole family. Roman Akimov has crafted engaging plots and memorable characters from various countries, ranging from medieval Japan to mystical Scandinavia. The unique appearance of the remarkable characters was created by the author himself, Roman Akimov. This collectible edition will hold a special place in your home libraries. The works were previously published as separate editions.
For big and small people
Roman Akimov
Editor Veronika Varentsova
Illustrator Roman Akimov
Translator Veronica Varentsova
© Roman Akimov, 2024
© Roman Akimov, illustrations, 2024
© Veronica Varentsova, translation, 2024
ISBN 978-5-0064-3247-5
Created with Ridero smart publishing system
“A planet of jesters”
Roman Akimov
Characters
– Victoria
– Victoria’s Husband
– Tesya (Victoria’s Daughter)
– Versachka (Dog)
– Pillow
– Clock
– Guard
– Town Crier
– Beggar
– Mimodo! (From the future, a man from another planet)
– Gray Sock
– Spider
– Friend 1
– Friend 2
– Intruder
Setting: Medieval Europe
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A brief introduction
Winter. A spacious house. Inside the house, there are piles of stacked items and objects. Against the far central wall stands a large antique wardrobe. Near the right wall, there is a chest. On the left side, there is a large double-door window. Opposite the window, there are hanging clocks. The walls are adorned with various drawings and family photographs. Outside the window, you can see the street and the corners of the houses. In the distance, on a hill, there is a podium with a flagpole, where the kingdom’s flag is waving
The first morning…
The entire family, dressed warmly, stands in front of the open window, awaiting the daily message to the kingdom. The Town Crier (from a podium) – Our kingdom is surrounded by entirely unfriendly neighbors, waiting for us to weaken so they can take advantage! From our tower, we increasingly hear calls, or rather, demands, to pay attention to resolving internal pressing issues! Know this – these are hostile elements; this is said only to lull your vigilance and divert your attention from what truly matters! The guards have learned to identify troublemakers. Be assured! Everyone will be held accountable under the law! That’s the first point! Second! Our wise king has consolidated all the kingdom’s hard-earned gold reserves exclusively in the royal treasury. Trusted ministers of the Crown are responsible for its safety. What does this mean? It means that thoughtful, wise decisions are the key to a prosperous future! After the Town Crier’s last words, joyful shouts and children’s crying can be heard from all the houses: “Hail the king!” Following the shouts and cries, windows begin to close one by one.
Victoria – Hail to the king! Hail to the king! (to her husband, half-whispering) Close the window! (loudly) Hail to the king! Hail to the king!
The room is lit up. Victoria’s Husband (taking off his coat) – That’s it, I can’t take it anymore! I’m getting too hot! (looks at the wall clock) Oh no, it’s time for work!
Tesya (very sleepy, falls to the floor) – Mom, I want to sleep…
Victoria (somewhat condescendingly) – Please, without this performance. I’ve wanted to sleep since the moment you were born! So, logically, I should be the one going to sleep, not you… But I can’t, why?
Tesya – I have to study…
Victoria – Go grab something from the table, or you’ll be hungry all day again!
Victoria’s Husband (clearing the clutter) – Where does my second sock always disappear to? The chest spits out some items into the room.
Victoria – Where you left it, that’s where you should look!!!
Victoria’s Husband – All my things are always neatly folded (pointing to separate piles of scattered items), right here and here, I folded them myself… But for some reason, what I’m looking for isn’t here… (to himself) How tired I am of all this… Fine, I’ll go look elsewhere! (tidies up suspiciously)
Victoria – You’d better not upset me! I can handle things without you…
Victoria wraps Tesya in a warm scarf, making her unable to speak clearly, turning her into something resembling a woolly ball.
Victoria (to Tesya) – Stop fidgeting! Stop, I said!
Victoria’s Husband (to Tesya) – Sweetie, you’d better not upset mom, you know what she’s like in the morning!
Victoria – What’s she like?
Victoria’s Husband – Absolutely magnificent!
Victoria – Alright, did we forget anything?
Tesya tries to say something important but only produces a prolonged murmur.
Victoria’s Husband – Seems like we didn’t!
Victoria – Then let’s go! (to Tesya) Stop mumbling!
The door slams shut and locks. From the pile of items, a drowsy dog, Versachka, slowly crawls out.
Versachka – They’ve chilled the room again! You can catch a cold like this! It seems I need to go outside! I need to go outside… They forgot about me again. (to himself) Can I do anything about it? Is it up to me? This is quite a complex question for a simple dog! On the other hand, if I sniff around seriously, I do everything I can, and I have a home… Can I dream of anything more? And this isn’t just a pile of items, it’s a real fortress! A real castle next to a large wooden hanger, a solid roof made of shawls, scarves, hats, gloves, and pants. Expensive hat! Good morning! Respectable pair of shoes, good morning to you too! Dear yellow scarf, I must say you resemble the real sun… and not just because you’re higher than me and in the blue clouds of pants! But the biggest and warmest good morning to the one who witnessed cleanliness and was there from the very beginning! Good morning, invisible old gray sock…
Versachka digs up a homemade musical instrument made of strings and starts to sing, causing the entire room to come alive as it sways in rhythm.
The Earth will turn upside down, and leaves will scatter into the sky
My little sock will hold my home, sturdy and strong as years go by
No one ever thought at once, this planet’s the universe’s core
No one will write stories, of a gray-colored sock and its lore
I believe it’s not just a word, what once was there at the start
I believe it was the foundation, of a grand universal chart
And the little thread in it, it’s also my home
One day it’ll save from discord, as the thread’s purpose is known
Spider (to Versachka) – Well, good morning, little doggy! Did you forget to walk with you again? Come on, I’ll crawl around you a bit so you won’t be so sad!
Versachka – Good morning! Thanks for the offer, but I have a lot to do!
Spider – I won’t offer twice!
Versachka – Thanks, but I’ll probably pass!
Spider – Lots to do… Well, you know, I’m always somewhere nearby! I’m off!
Outside, the sound of the royal guard’s boots approaching becomes audible. Small squads pass through the streets. Versachka rushes to the window!
Voice (to the recruits) – Stand in formation, offspring! You are now in the elite ranks of the Order of the Iron Shield and Sword; His Majesty the King’s! Step, more precisely! One, Two!
Meanwhile, the sun slowly rises above the hill…
The first day…
The key turns in the lock, the door opens. Victoria enters.
Versachka (jumping with joy) – Who’s there! Who’s there!? I’m so happy! Please, take me outside! I really need it!
Victoria – Don’t bark at me! And stop getting underfoot! Wait, didn’t we just go for a walk?
Victoria tosses some new items onto the common pile, except for one.
Victoria (trying it on) – Not bad! Not bad!
Versachka – Please, take me outside!
Victoria – Stop barking! What do you need? (to herself) Not bad! Right on time! (to Versachka) Where’s the leash? Let’s find it!
Versachka – Hooray!
Victoria and Versachka search for the leash in the clutter.
Versachka – Found it, here!
Hastily, Victoria puts on the leash.
Victoria (putting it on) – Don’t squirm, don’t squirm, I said, don’t yelp! Let’s go!
Victoria and Versachka go outside.
Town Crier (on the hill) – Henceforth, in the kingdom, valor and order prevail! For the tranquility of His Majesty’s subjects, a royal decree has added a new generation of unformed and fresh-faced youth to the king’s guard! Patriotic education of the youth is paramount! With sword and shield! With sword and shield! Hail to the king!
Tesya and Victoria’s Husband enter.
Victoria’s Husband – We’re home! She went out again and didn’t lock the door…
Tesya mumbles indistinctly.
