Chapter 1. Meeting Alice
It was an ordinary house, one of many in this small town, but it was her house, and that meant it was the most extraordinary one of all.
Alice yawned sweetly: it was time to wake up. The moon was full and peered cheerfully through the attic window.
Beautiful! — she smiled, adjusting her pink bow and taking one more look at herself in the mirror, or rather, in one of its shards.
A flying bat, but with that pink bow she was Alice the bat, as the fireflies affectionately called her.
Hello, Moon, you look wonderful! — Alice greeted her old friend, flying out for a walk from her native attic.
Thank you. It's a marvellous night for flying, isn't it?
Oh yes, of course, — Alice loved to fly, and the fireflies were already waiting for her to play hide-and-seek. But first she needed to have dinner: apples were waiting on her favourite tree.
Chapter 2. An Old Friend
The wise Owl was a faithful old friend to our little bat. Sitting side by side on a branch, they could talk about everything in the world.
Owl, what are poems?
Oh, my dear little bat, it's a wonderful thing! But why such sudden interest in poetry?
I overheard people talking. One girl told another that she loves poems, that they help her when she's sad... And I thought...
Alice, are you sad? — asked the Owl.
No, but if it's such a necessary thing, I simply must have it. For example, when it rains — I have an umbrella. And poems will help when I'm sad. Is it bad that I'll have such a necessary thing?
Hoo-hoo-hoo, — laughed the Owl, — silly thing, you made me laugh. It's not like an umbrella you can put in a corner. It's not a thing at all.
Really? Maybe it's something tasty? — Alice licked her lips. — I really want to try it. Come on, Owl, can I?
Little Alice made such a pitiful face that even a block of ice would have melted, but her friend just laughed loudly.
You don't want to share? Are you being stingy? I just want to try a little bit! And you call yourself a friend! Miser!
Alice, you didn't understand, it's not a thing and not food, — said the Owl.
Really? But can you at least touch it?
Only listen. POEMS are the music of your heart. Listen:
A blizzard surrounded. Snow
Decided to imagine winter,
And the moon like a crack
Cut the darkness with its radiance.
Winter wanted to be good:
To cover all sorrows with snow,
So people's souls wouldn't ache,
And walking would be easy on the path.
And in this silent midnight
Amid the whiteness, it seemed true:
Everything will come true this winter,
All cherished dreams will come true!
Beautiful! So that's what poems are?
Yes, and they can tell about everything in the world.
Everything, everything? Could I do that too?
Of course, the main thing is to listen to your heart, it will guide you, — smiled the old friend.
Chapter 3. Meeting Fuzzy
The house where our little bat lived had an attic on a five-storey building. On the third floor lived a fat striped cat named Fuzzy, a house cat. He walked exclusively on the balcony, never went outside, and didn't associate with yard cats. They often yowled under the window. After all, only people hear meowing, but cats can actually talk, even tease each other. So the cats would tease:
Is that a cat, it's just a hippopotamus! Ha-ha-ha!!!
Of course, the main reason was jealousy. Even the wildest cat dreams of a warm home, of having his belly scratched... The yard cats were also offended that this arrogant house cat, as it seemed to them, looked down on them with disgust: "Who are you, mangy things, and who am I, a house cat!"
In reality, Fuzzy was a terrible coward. He wouldn't just go outside, he was afraid to even look down from the balcony! Yes, children, sometimes it happens: not knowing someone, we imagine them to be what they're really not. So the yard cats, thinking they were being looked down upon, laughed at the house cat. And Fuzzy had only two friends, and one of them was a goldfish. As you can see, he was a very peaceful cat and would sometimes meow about his feline fate to his silent friend, and she would just wave her tail, as if to say, I'm always with you!
And the second was the most important person, his owner Vera. You can call Mum and Dad, since they're adults, owners and providers, but not close friends you can purr your cat secrets to. And they're always busy anyway. Come at the wrong time, Dad's watching football, you might get hit with a slipper.
And Mum, if you start being affectionate, rubbing against her legs, she scolds:
Shoo, Fuzzy, your fur is flying everywhere, shoo!
But Vera always scratches behind his ear, opens the balcony door, it's a shame she doesn't meow, but she's a real friend! That's what Fuzzy thought, sitting on the balcony and looking at the stars. He felt a bit sad today... Suddenly a small black shadow flashed by. The cat didn't have time to get scared when someone said right by his ear:
Hello!
Fuzzy slowly turned his head to whoever had greeted him, and his fur stood on end from fright. "A vampire!" cried his cat thoughts, but from fear the cat only hissed. The poor thing remembered all the horror films he'd seen.
Away! — Fuzzy finally managed to hiss, — I'm not tasty. Fly away from here, you vampire!
How rude! — noted the flying bat. — I just wanted to be friends.
But what about blood? Aren't you my dinner?
Well, if you were an apple or a berry, then yes, — laughed the guest. — My name is Alice. And you, my brave friend?
Fuzzy, — the cat answered shyly. — Well, don't be offended if anything... You're definitely not a vampire?
Definitely... although I do have fangs, — but noticing the cat's frightened look, little Alice quickly added, — I eat exclusively fruit!
Phew, that was close, — purred the cat.
And so began the most unusual friendship between a cat and a mouse.
Chapter 4. Meeting the Yard Cats
Quite some time had passed since Fuzzy and Alice's first meeting. The cat had become very attached to the little bat, was proud and very happy about his new friend.
Alice is so brave. She flies wherever she wants, and I... and I'm even afraid to look out into the yard, — sighed the cat.
Boo! — Alice, as always, silently flew up to her friend, but seeing his sad look, became alert. — Something wrong? Maybe I offended you somehow? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, honestly.
No, it's not you! It's just that I'm even afraid to look outside. Why would you want such a coward as a friend?
So we'll solve this problem together! — and before Fuzzy could object, Alice shot down. — Come on, to the branches and down!
Fuzzy was horrified, but it wasn't fear of heights. Alice was now in the favourite spot of the yard cats! What if...? No, better not think about it!
Alice, come back! — the cat meowed pitifully.
But before the bat could take off, some powerful paw pressed her wing to the ground.
And what kind of butterfly has flown to us? — this was Pirate, the leader of the cat gang.
I'm not a butterfly, I'm a flying bat. My name is Alice, and you? — Alice asked politely.
Fish guts, and she even talks! Well, if dinner wants to talk, why not? And the fact that you're a mouse, any kind, I really like. Purr-meow!
Pirate had already bared his sharp teeth, but then something extraordinary happened: someone grey and big knocked him over, hissing angrily.
All the cats, coming to their senses, saw that it was... Fuzzy! He, forgetting about his fear of heights, simply jumped down from the tree.
Another cat quickly covered Alice with an empty box so she wouldn't fly away, and Pirate, coming to his senses, hissed angrily:
You, house cat, how dare you!? This is my catch!
She's not a catch, she's my friend!
This is where the film watching about heroes came in handy: Fuzzy hissed, trying to show karate moves. Alice managed to escape, waving her wings, she said menacingly:
So who wants their blood sucked first?
Pirate and the rest of the cat gang were terrified.
They're mad! — said Pirate as a parting shot. The cats quickly disappeared from the street.
Yes-yes, — Alice shouted after them, — I'll bite you and you'll become one too!
The friends returned to the balcony. The cat was no longer afraid, as if he'd always been climbing trees.
Alice, — Fuzzy asked after a moment of silence, — would you really have bitten them?
Of course, no one hurts my friends! And I would have turned them into vampires!
Alice, are you serious? — Fuzzy asked frightened.
Fuzzy, don't you believe me? — Alice smiled. — I'm joking, joking!
Chapter 5. Meeting Vovka
Alice and Fuzzy, as always, were chatting when they heard a scream from one of the flats: "Aaah! Attack!"
What's that? Does someone need help? — Alice was ready to help the whole world, or at least try.
That's Vovka! — said Fuzzy darkly, — the neighbour's boy. He's playing his computer games again! Mum and Dad went to the cinema, and he stayed with Grandma, and she lets him do whatever he wants. And it's already ten o'clock!
You don't like him very much?
He's not a fish for me to like! But you just don't understand what a nasty boy he is! He always has a catapult, managed to hit me with it when I was peacefully napping on the balcony. And I was dreaming I was flying! I almost did fly, only not up, but down!
Is he really that bad? — Alice didn't believe it. She thought all boys and girls could only be good. It's just that when they grow up, they forget how to be children and become... no, not evil, but very serious aunts and uncles.
Worse than a vacuum cleaner! — for Fuzzy this was the scariest thing in the world.
Alice thought for a moment and suddenly flew straight towards the source of the noise.
Where are you going, little Alice? — the cat meowed in alarm.
I want to meet him. You'll see, he's good!
Alice didn't listen to the cat's pitiful meowing anymore. She flew to the window, it wasn't closed.
So, if he sees me, he might get scared. I need to take a peek with one eye, what kind of Vovka is this?
But what happened in the flat, even Alice couldn't have predicted. As soon as she flew in, something fell on her from above, it was a butterfly net. Vovka was quite a hunter, he'd noticed Alice's approach before she even entered the room.
What kind of bird is this? — Vovka bent over the net.
Let me go, please! — asked Alice.
Actually, animals can talk and understand human language. But to avoid fainting and screaming on his part, they try not to talk. However, in this situation, Alice decided to try to negotiate with the boy. Vovka stood there for a couple of minutes with his mouth open, but didn't let go of the net. Finally he started babbling:
Talking! Cool! You now have to grant me three wishes! So, what should I wish for? I WANT...
I'm not a goldfish! — even Alice was starting to get angry at this boy.
Ah, so that's how it is! Well then... well then... I've got it! You need to go to the circus! No, better I'll show you to everyone myself, and I'll get everything I want! Vovka is the only boy in the world who caught a talking bird!
Actually, I'm a flying bat. But it seems someone didn't study well at school: first three wishes, then a bird!
How dare you, little bat, argue with your owner! — Vovka even turned red.
Actually, he was just ashamed: even animals were noticing that his knowledge wasn't great. It's not surprising, since he spent most of his time playing computer games instead of studying.
Not a bat, a flying bat! — Alice answered calmly. — If you answered like that in class, you'd be an excellent student, but instead it's computers, computers. You can't even tell a flying bat from a bird!
YES I... YES I... WELL, I'LL...
Vovka tried to pull Alice out, but she was quicker. Breaking free from the net, she flew out the window. Then pain shot through her right wing, and she fell onto a flower bed. Vovka managed to shoot from his catapult and hit the poor thing.
Chapter 6. Save Alice!
Fuzzy saw his friend falling like a stone, and he meowed so pitifully that Vera woke up and hurried to the balcony in her nightgown.
Fuzzy, Fuzzy, kitty-kitty, — she called the cat, but there was no one on the balcony. Suddenly the girl noticed something grey and striped flash on a tree, its branches close to the balcony.
Fuzzy, Fuzzy, — the girl called quietly.
Meow! — the sound came from below.
Throwing her mother's large shawl over her shoulders, Vera quietly passed her parents' bedroom and, opening the front door, hurried outside. The cat needed help, something had happened!
Coming out of the entrance, Vera looked around, but Fuzzy was nowhere to be seen.
Fuzzy, Fuzzy dear, — the girl called again.
Meow, meow!
The cat appeared from nowhere, but when Vera tried to pick him up, he ran away. He seemed to be calling her somewhere. Seeing that his owner wasn't following, the cat unexpectedly clearly said:
Help her!
You... You... can talk? — Vera was surprised.
Yes, but that's not important right now... Help her!
Fuzzy made a desperate decision, revealing the biggest secret of animals: they not only understand people, but can also speak their language. Vera hurried after him. Fuzzy led her straight to the flower bed.
«Oh, — thought the girl, — if Aunt Glasha saw me now, she'd scold me for tearing her flowers at night!"
But then she saw something dark lying next to the flowers and immediately forgot about Aunt Glasha. Looking closer, Vera realised it was a flying bat. She'd read about them in a children's encyclopaedia. For her age, the girl knew quite a lot about our smaller brothers, so the cat decided to ask for help from her.
Help her! — the cat meowed pitifully.
But how? — the girl was confused. — I don't even know what's wrong with her!
That nasty Vova shot her with a catapult!
Vera carefully picked up the bat. She and Fuzzy went to the house. There had been enough events and adventures for one night.
Chapter 7. A New Friend.
Alice opened her eyes. "Where am I?" her thoughts cried.
The bat lay in a small box on a soft bed, there was even a pillow! Her bandaged wing hurt a little. She looked around: a cosy room, clearly not an attic. Where was she?
You're awake?
Fuzzy entered the room and was right next to his friend.
Where am I? What happened to me?
Well, Alice, so many questions! You need to rest and regain your strength!
But still, where am I? — the bat was confused and scared.
You're with friends. My Vera took care of your wing, it's not broken, it'll hurt a bit and then it'll be fine. Everything will be alright!
The cat gently stroked Alice with his paw.
Vera is your owner?
Fuzzy didn't have time to answer before the girl entered the room.
You're awake? Well, how are you? You must be hungry? — the girl held a plate of strawberries.
Don't be afraid, — said Fuzzy, — she knows that we not only understand people, but also speak like people. She won't tell anyone.
Honestly, honestly, I won't tell anyone! — confirmed Vera.
Thank you, new friend! — Alice smiled.
Chapter 8. To Africa
Alice lived at Vera's for almost a month. She recovered quickly, but the girl insisted that the bat stay a bit longer. Alice learned a lot of new things about different countries, school and other interesting things, and her diet was supplemented with a couple of treats.
Strawberries became her favourite treat. But she didn't like cheese, despite the distant relation to mice who love cheese. Alice's presence remained a secret from the adults, although Mum was a bit surprised by the tightly closed curtains during the day and the fact that her daughter was trying to clean her room herself, something she'd never been keen on before.
Growing up! — Mum decided with a smile.
Vera started allowing Alice night flights. The girl and Fuzzy stood on the balcony and watched the bat with admiration. One day they heard a noise downstairs. Some boy hurried out of the entrance. Fuzzy squinted, peering, and pricked up his ears, listening.
That nasty Vovka! He's going to Africa, decided to become a hunter! Fish scales help him!
Fuzzy, don't swear! How do you even know it's him?
I have sharp eyesight and good hearing — said Fuzzy proudly, — and this boy is muttering to himself so loud that wow! Fish heads!
Fuzzy, stop it! Tell me what you heard?
This little rascal even drove his grandmother crazy! Broke her favourite vase, and his parents took away his computer. Serves him right! So he's going to Africa!
We have to stop him! — the girl decisively opened the balcony door to go out.
Why? — Fuzzy was surprised. — He belongs with the monkeys!
Fuzzy!
Okay, okay, I'm joking, — the cat hurried after his owner.
Chapter 9. Find Vovka
When the friends went outside, Vovka was already gone.
Vera was confused: what should she do? Wake her parents? Is there another way? But how could she find him?
What are you doing here? — it was Alice.
Vera briefly told what had happened.
I'll help find him, — the bat said after a moment of silence.
Alice, you don't have to, I know what he did to you! I'll wake my parents!
No need! — the bat was determined. — He's good, I know! Wait for me here!
Alice decided to ask the fireflies for help. They flew alongside her like little lanterns. Vovka hadn't gone far, but he was already lost. He sat on the corner of a house and cried. As if on purpose, the street light next to him went out. There was a rustling sound above, and Vovka squeezed his eyes shut in fear.
Well, that's it, some monster came to eat me! Oh, my dear grandmother, my beloved Mum and Dad, if only you were here! How sorry I am that I behaved like this!
Vovka, — someone called him and interrupted his sad thoughts.
The boy opened his eyes and saw Alice.
Is it you?
I'll take you home, come on.
No-no, it's dark here, I'm scared, what if there's a monster hiding?
There are no monsters, and the only vampire is me, — the bat smiled. — And about the darkness, we'll fix that!
The fireflies lit up their little lanterns as bright as they could, and it became less scary around. There was a feeling of celebration, as if something bright and good was happening.
Chapter 10. Is Vovka Good?
Vovka wiped his tears, got up and followed the fireflies and the talking bat. It seemed to him that he was dreaming, because only in dreams can such miracles happen. But pinching himself to wake up, he realised — this wasn't a dream, it was all happening for real!
Why are you helping me? I wanted to put you in a cage, I wouldn't help myself like that!
The bat looked carefully at the boy and said:
You're good!
Are you laughing at me? I shoot from a catapult, I tease everyone, no one wants to be my friend, I upset my grandmother, my parents... and I'm good?
You're good, — repeated the bat, — you just don't understand it yet. You have a kind heart, but with your actions you're trying to hide it, you just need friends!
Yes I... I need, — and tears appeared in Vovka's eyes again. — How did you understand? That I need friends?
It doesn't matter how, — smiled the bat. — The important thing is that I did.
They didn't notice how they ended up in their home yard, and Vera with Fuzzy ran up to them.
Are you okay? Is everything alright with you? I'm Vera, or Verunia for friends!
Vovka, — the boy blushed, he suddenly realised how silly he'd been. He was very ashamed.
Come on, you're probably being looked for. — Vera looked at the windows of Vovka's flat: all the lights were on. — And tomorrow we'll play, you don't mind?
I don't mind, — the boy said, looking down.
The girl walked him to his flat. His confused parents were already calling the police when Vovka entered the hallway.
Yes, brown hair, — Dad was saying on the phone, and Mum was giving Grandma valerian drops.
I'm sorry, — came the boy's voice. Dad dropped the phone in surprise.
Vovka, grandson! — Grandma was the first to see Vovka.
So, young man, — Dad said sternly, — and where have we been?
I'm sorry, — Vovka repeated, — I'll never do it again!
And this was the pure truth, because this was a new Vovka, and he didn't lie to the people who loved him.
Chapter 11. How's Best to Sleep?
Alice got bored with her home attic, and even Vera's pleas couldn't make her stay in the flat.
Here, take a pillow and a blanket with you!
Why? — the bat was surprised. — It's much more comfortable to sleep upside down!
I doubt it, — objected Vovka.
He became their new friend, and generally improved. Fuzzy at first was suspicious of him, but after a couple of treats warmed up to the boy and forgave all his cat offences.
Want me to teach you? — Alice suddenly asked.
Do you really need to learn that? — Vera was surprised.
For you yes, but for us flying bats, it's in our blood! — Alice said proudly.
The friendly group quietly passed the living room and hurried outside. The adults didn't even notice, too busy with their conversation.
So, where shall we try? Aha! Here! — Alice noticed a pull-up bar. — Come on, come on, let's make flying bats out of you!
Maybe we shouldn't? — Vovka had doubts.
No more talking! I'm your commander today, follow orders! On the bar!
The children reluctantly climbed onto the bar, but hanging upside down was uncomfortable, so the "new flying bats" soon fell right onto Fuzzy, who was sitting below watching his friends.
Meow, I'm not a cat anymore, I'm a cat cutlet, meow!
And we're not flying bats, we're unicorns! — noted Vera, touching the bump on her forehead. It was good they'd put down a blanket, so the fall wasn't hard, but they decided not to risk it anymore, you could break something!
The important thing is we're friends! — said Alice, — and whether we're bats, people, cats or unicorns doesn't matter!
After these words, the friends laughed, and each went to sleep the way they liked.
Chapter 12. LET'S GO TO THE CINEMA!
That evening the children were excitedly discussing a cartoon they were planning to watch on Saturday.
Alice listened to the conversation for a long time, then asked:
What's a cartoon?
Everyone was surprised, even Fuzzy stopped chewing the sausage Vovka had brought.
You don't know what a cartoon is? — asked Vera.
No. Is it something tasty? — for some reason, many unfamiliar things were associated with food for the bat.
No, silly, it's pictures on a screen.
And what's interesting about that? — Alice couldn't understand what was so unusual about these pictures.
Decided, — Vovka suddenly said, — you're coming to the cartoon with us!
But you forgot that Alice is a night creature, and the cartoon is at 5 p.m., — Vera objected.
I know. I'll hide her under my sports jacket from the sunlight, and it's dark in the hall anyway.
On Saturday, the friends went to the cinema together, but a vigilant female ticket inspector noticed that something moved under the boy's jacket.
No animals allowed! — she said sternly.
Unzipping the jacket and seeing a black wing, the girl closed her eyes in fright, and Vera hid Alice under her T-shirt.
I don't have anyone, look! — said the boy.
The girl, opening her eyes and seeing no one under the jacket, let the children through. She went to make strong coffee, thinking: "I must be so tired, black wings are appearing! I need a holiday urgently!"
And the kids, as soon as the lights went out, took out Alice. There weren't many people, and they weren't worried about anyone seeing the bat. Besides, on Vera's lap, she looked like a soft toy. So Alice learned what a cartoon was. And after that, they often went to the cinema on Saturdays.
Chapter 13. Sweet Dreams, Alice!
Today, on Friday, Alice was going to her friend Owl's birthday party.
She had asked Vera for strawberries in advance to treat her friend. She talked to the fireflies, and they helped organise the congratulations. She made a small gift with her own paws, thanks to the girl who taught her to make various crafts and gave Alice a package with a beautiful ribbon. The bat admired the little owl figurine one more time, put it in a box and tied it with a blue bow. She could go now.
Owl always celebrated his birthdays in a homely way, and today his guests were his aunt, Alice and the fireflies. Putting the treats on the table with the fruit, Alice handed over the gift.
And now a greeting! Fireflies, let's go!
And in the sky, from little glowing lights, words appeared: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!". Aunt Fili, getting emotional, even shed a tear:
What friends you have! A treasure! Dear, I'm so happy for you! Happy birthday, my dear chick!
Crickets played "Happy Birthday!" on little violins, and all the guests, and Owl himself, sang along. After the party, Alice and Owl sat on a branch and chatted about everything and nothing.
You know, I have a little gift for you too!
Really? — Alice smiled, — is it tasty?
Well, no.
Is it pretty?
Well, you'll decide that yourself now. I wrote a poem about you "Alice the Bat":
Alice the bat doesn't live in a hole,
Sings a cheerful song to the bird.
Friends with cats and drinks milk,
Goes to the cinema on Saturday.
Doesn't like cheese, doesn't like to squeak.
To lie and shout loudly.
What kind of bat is this, you ask, little one.
There is such a lover of roofs!
Spreads her wings and can fly,
Night is her friend. And she wants to sing.
Our Alice is a flying bat,
Friends with cats, lover of roofs.
Alice the bat lives quite well,
Doesn't cry tears in vain.
Soon you'll learn about her, friend,
Now off to bed, you're my pie!
Is all this about me? — Alice even had tears in her eyes.
Of course, my dear friend. And we should get to bed soon, dawn is very close.
A yellow leaf fell right into Alice's paws. The bat, looking around, suddenly realised that autumn had come, and she needed to go into winter hibernation.
Yes, — she said thoughtfully, — soon dawn and autumn, and then winter... Sweet dreams, my friend!
Sweet dreams, Alice!
