The Feathers of the Moon Bird
In this vast land, winter is blanketed in snow, and the scenery is breathtaking.
However, due to the tyrannical Emperor Igor, winter is a long and dreadful season for the impoverished and destitute.
Igor wore a massive fur cloak, large enough to shelter all the farmers from the cold. In his palace, entire trees burned in the fireplace, vodka flowed in the baths, velvet drapes and bear-skin rugs adorned the halls, and his bed was covered with golden-thread sheets.
Yet none of this could satisfy Igor.
Igor often rode through the country in a chariot pulled by seven wolves, plundering everything he could find. His every command brought fear and tears to the people, who suffered immensely.
Without the help of the Moon Birds, the lives of the poor would be hellish.
High above in the endless sky lived three Moon Birds: the Bird of Lightness, the Bird of Light, and the Bird of Kindness.
Each night, when the moon rose, these three birds would awaken. They would spread their wings and fly across the land, helping those who were poor and destitute.
They listened to the cries, sighs, and sorrows of the people. With their moonlight beaks, they delivered magical items to those in need. These items could miraculously grow and ultimately solve the urgent needs of the poor.
A single straw could become a bed, a potato could feed an entire family, and a tiny bit of wheat could turn into plenty of bread.
Alyosha was a poor child, but he never shivered from fear or cold, despite only having an ill-fitting coarse cloth shirt and a pair of heavy wooden shoes.
That night, for the first time, Alyosha sighed sadly. His wooden shoes had become too small, pinching his toes painfully, making it impossible to walk.
Hearing his sigh, the three Moon Birds flew down and untied his shoelaces.
In an instant, Alyosha floated up…
The three Moon Birds were surprised and delighted to find that Alyosha was so light. They decided to take him back to their nest.
The Bird of Lightness said, “We must tell you a secret. There is someone on this land who is suffering greatly, but we are powerless to help. That person is Igor. Every night, he sighs in pain. We know it is because a stone has fallen into his heart. It is a cold, icy stone, and it has frozen his heart. This pain has made him so cruel.”
The Bird of Light continued, “We would love to help him. Alas, we cannot get close, even at the risk of our lives! We cannot approach the palace because it is surrounded by wolves; we cannot approach Igor because he is too cruel; we cannot approach his heart because there is a door.”
The Bird of Kindness added, “It is a small door, tightly closed. We birds have no hands to open that door. We need human help, but who would help such a cruel man as Igor?”
“I will! I will!” Alyosha shouted.
At that moment, the sun was about to rise, and the moon was about to set. The Moon Birds softly said, “Alyosha, we can give you three feathers to aid you. Each feather will turn into a small item when needed. You must take good care of them and return them before the moon rises again, as we need them to fly.”
Alyosha carefully plucked the Feather of Lightness from the first bird, the Feather of Light from the second, and the Feather of Kindness from the third.
Alyosha put on his wooden shoes, and the Moon Birds brushed their wings over them, making them fit perfectly.
Then, Alyosha silently descended back to the earth.
By the time the sun rose, he was already on his way to the palace. He arrived at the grand palace gates, where the seven wolves bared their fangs at him.
Alyosha quickly pulled a blade of grass from the ground and brushed it with the Feather of Lightness. In an instant, the grass grew longer and longer, turning into a thin, strong rope.
Alyosha used this rope to securely bind the seven wolves, who could only howl in place.
Alyosha entered the palace, swiftly passing through the halls, around the baths, and finally reaching Igor.
Alyosha gazed gently into Igor’s fierce eyes, seeing a glimmer of kindness within.
Alyosha said to Igor, “I know you are suffering. I am here to help you.”
But Igor roared, “Get out of my palace, or I will smother you with my cloak!”
Alyosha quickly blew on the Feather of Light, and a gust of wind blew Igor’s cloak away and knocked him to the ground.
Alyosha knelt beside Igor and immediately saw the small iron door that the Moon Birds had mentioned.
Alyosha took out the Feather of Kindness and swiftly inserted it into the lock, turning it like a key.
The door opened, and a chill burst forth from Igor’s heart as a stone rolled out. Almost simultaneously, a smile appeared on Igor’s lips. Soon, his face shone with the light of the sun.
That night, Alyosha returned the three feathers to the Moon Birds.
But that night, as the moon rose, the Moon Birds had nothing to do.
For Igor had opened the palace gates, and many subjects gathered by the fireplace, sharing bread, vodka, and gold with Igor amidst laughter and joy.
That night, for the first time, the cold land was free of sighs, pain, and sorrow.
The Moon Birds felt immensely happy, fluttering their wings and dancing gracefully.
Suddenly, feathers from the Moon Birds filled the sky. The light feathers fell to the ground, turning into a blanket of snow. What a beautiful night!
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
