A collection of fairy tales to read before bed. Макс Лютер

h the Magic Mirror

      In a faraway forest, all sorts of animals and birds lived together in harmony. They were friends and always helped each other in times of need. But one day, an evil queen came to the forest. She wanted to rule over all living things and cast a spell on the forest, turning everyone into her servants.

      However, not everyone fell under her spell. Among them was a little bunny who knew how to hide from the evil queen and her guards. He decided to save his friends and bring freedom back to the forest. He set off on a dangerous journey through the woods to find a way to break the spell.

      Along the way, he met many interesting characters: a kind fairy who gave him a magic carrot, a brave eagle who taught him to fly, a wise owl who told him the secret of the evil queen, and many others.

      Finally, he reached the evil queen's castle and faced her. She tried to charm him with her beauty and promises, but he didn't believe her and threw his magic carrot at her. The carrot turned into a giant asteroid and smashed the castle to pieces.

      The spell was broken, and all the forest dwellers regained their freedom. The bunny became a hero and earned the respect of everyone. He returned to his friends and told them about his adventures.

      The next day, the bunny and his friends decided to visit the ruins of the evil queen's castle. They wanted to make sure she was gone for good and wouldn't threaten the forest again. They walked through the empty halls and rooms where the evil queen once lived.

      In one of the rooms, they found a large mirror that was intact and undamaged by the asteroid. The bunny approached it and looked at his reflection. He saw himself in royal clothes and with a crown on his head. He heard a voice from the mirror:

      "Greetings, my new master. I am the magic mirror that served the evil queen. Now you are the only one who can use my magic. You can ask me to fulfill any wish."

      The bunny was surprised and intrigued by this offer. He thought about what he could do for himself and his friends with the magic mirror. He asked, "What can you do?"

      "I can show you any picture from the past or future, I can transport you to any place or time, I can change your appearance or the appearance of other creatures, I can give you any knowledge or abilities… In short, I can do anything."

      The bunny pondered. He liked the idea of trying the mirror's magic. But he also remembered how the evil queen had used it for her cruel purposes. He didn't want to repeat her mistakes and become just as evil and greedy.

      He looked at his friends, who were standing beside him and smiling at him. He felt gratitude and love for them. He realized that he already had everything he needed for happiness: freedom, friendship, and adventure.

      He turned away from the mirror and said, "Thank you for the offer, but I refuse your magic. I don't want to be a master or a slave to magic. I just want to be a bunny."

      The voice from the mirror replied, "As you wish. You are the wisest of all the master’s I have ever had. I respect your choice and release you from any connection to me."

      Then the voice disappeared, and the mirror itself dimmed and cracked into pieces.

      The bunny picked up his magic carrot and threw it at the remaining piece of the mirror. The carrot turned into a huge bouquet of flowers and fell to the floor. The bunny picked it up and gave it to his friends. They were all delighted and praised him for his wisdom and kindness.

      They left the castle and returned to the forest. Along the way, they met all those who had helped the bunny on his journey. They told them about their adventure and thanked them for their help.

      All the forest dwellers gathered for a big celebration to mark the victory over the evil queen and the return of freedom. They danced, sang, ate, and rejoiced. The bunny was the happiest of all.

      And from then on, he lived happily ever after with his friends in the forest, where peace and harmony always reigned.

      Golden apple

      Once upon a time, there was a boy named Ivan who lived in a village with his grandmother and grandfather. He loved to explore the nearby forest, searching for mushrooms and berries. One day, deep in the woods, he stumbled upon a magnificent tree laden with golden apples. Intrigued, Ivan reached out to pluck one of the shimmering fruits, but a booming voice startled him:

      "Who dares to touch my apples?"

      Ivan spun around to find himself facing a colossal serpent with the head of a lion and the wings of an eagle. It was the Firebird, the guardian of the golden apples.

      "Forgive me, Firebird," Ivan stammered. "I didn't know these were yours. I simply wanted to taste one."

      "Well, since you've been honest, I'll allow you one apple," the Firebird replied. "But only one. And remember, this is no ordinary apple. It can grant any wish you desire."

      Ivan carefully took the apple and hurried home. Along the way, he met his friend Peter.

      "Hey, Ivan," Peter greeted him. "What's that you're holding?"

      "It's a golden apple," Ivan explained. "It can make any wish come true."

      "No way!" Peter exclaimed. "Let's see it in action. Make a wish."

      Ivan thought for a moment and then declared, "Alright, I wish for a beautiful horse."

      He took a bite of the apple, and in an instant, a magnificent horse materialized beside him.

      "Whoa!" Peter was amazed. "Let me have a try!"

      Ivan handed him the apple, and Peter eagerly took a bite.

      "I wish for a mountain of gold!" Peter declared.

      Instantly, a shower of gold coins poured from the sky.

      "Yes! Yes!" Peter cheered, scooping up the coins into a sack. "Thank you, Ivan! You're the best!"

      "Do you want to make another wish?" Ivan asked.

      "Nah, I'm good," Peter replied. "How about you?"

      "I'm satisfied too," Ivan said. "Let's head back home."

      They loaded the sack of gold onto the horse and set off for the village. On their journey, they encountered their friend Mary.

      "Hello there!" Mary greeted them. "Where did you get that amazing horse and all that gold?"

      "It's all thanks to this golden apple," Ivan explained. "It can grant any wish."

      "I don't believe it," Mary said skeptically. "Prove it. Make a wish."

      Ivan and Peter exchanged glances and decided to share the magic with Mary. They offered her the apple, and she took a small bite.

      "I wish for a handsome prince who will love me and ask me to marry him," Mary said longingly.

      In the blink of an eye, a dashing prince in a white cloak and a crown appeared before her. He smiled warmly and said,

      "Greetings, my lady. I have traveled from a faraway kingdom to seek your hand in marriage. Will you be my queen?"

      Mary was speechless. She could only nod in agreement, and the prince embraced her.

      "Thank you so much, you two," Mary said gratefully. "You're true friends."

      She joined the prince on the horse, and they rode off to his kingdom.

      "Any more wishes for you?" Ivan asked Peter.

      "Nope, I'm content," Peter replied. "You?"

      "Me too," Ivan agreed. "Let's go home."

      They continued their journey home and excitedly shared their adventure with their grandparents. Their grandparents were overjoyed and asked to try the apple as well. Ivan and Peter gladly handed it over, and their grandparents each took a bite.

      "I wish for us to always be healthy and happy," the grandmother wished.

      "And I wish for us to always have plenty of food and a warm home," the grandfather added.

      Immediately, they both felt a surge of energy and youthfulness. The house filled with light and warmth, and a