In a small house on the edge of a village lived a little boy named Seryozha. He was a cheerful child who, like all children, loved fun and games very much. During the day he happily kicked a ball with other boys in the street, and in the evening he played his favourite games at home. Young Seryozha was growing up curious and interested in everything around him, and he always happily told his family about his new discoveries.
One day Seryozha was so absorbed in playing with his new construction set that he didn't notice the evening had arrived and night was already at the door. And when his mum called him to bed, he asked: "Mum, why do I need to go to sleep? I'll miss so much interesting stuff while I'm sleeping!".
His family tried for a long time to convince the child to get into bed, but Seryozha firmly stood his ground. Instead of listening to his mum and dad, he took his favourite sword and ran out into the yard.
Outside it was already dark night. But the boy was brave and wasn't afraid of the dark.
Seryozha shouted loudly:
Night, go away forever and never come back! Now the Sun will always shine over our house and I'll never have to go to bed.
And the Night was offended by the boy and left the yard. Over Seryozha's house shone a bright and cheerful Sun, which the child had been waiting for so much. Seryozha started playing with sun rabbits, he was having so much fun, he was enjoying the warm rays.
But very soon the boy noticed that the Sun had stopped being cheerful and became sad:
Sun, what's wrong with you? Why are you sad?
Asked Seryozha.
You see, Seryozha. You're a very good boy and I have fun with you. But other children all around the world are waiting for me! I'm sad because they want to play with me too! My sister Night and I agreed that when I need to go, she comes in my place. But today Night was late for some reason. And now I have to keep shining over your house all the time!
Seryozha didn't tell the Sun that he was the one who chased Night away from the yard. He decided to find her himself and ask her to come back.
He really didn't want the Sun to be sad:
Sun, I'll help you find your sister Night.
Said Seryozha, and ran off to search for Night.
But Seryozha didn't know where to look for the offended Night. He ran through the field, went down to the river, came to the edge of the forest. She wasn't anywhere. Walking along the edge of the forest, upset Seryozha didn't notice how he wandered into the thicket. It was dark around, but the boy wasn't afraid, because the Sun was with him, and he had his trusty sword in his hand. Seryozha started calling out loudly for Night, but all he heard in response was the hooting of an owl.
Night, please forgive me! I didn't really understand what I was doing. I really don't want the Sun to be sad. And I'll love you too!
Seryozha shouted loudly.
Seryozha heard branches crack, leaves rustle, and Night herself came out to him. She was so dark that it was hard to make out anything, she looked at him with a kind gaze, smiled, and disappeared.
When the boy got out of the forest, he felt that he was very tired and had no strength left to walk. Then someone picked him up with gentle, warm hands and carried him. And Seryozha soon found himself in his home and in his soft bed. As he closed his eyes, he thought about what an interesting adventure had happened to him today, not suspecting that it was only a wonderful fairy tale dream.
