Little Kolya lived in a small cottage right by the sea. Every evening, the boy would go to the shore with his dad, and when it got dark, they'd lie on the warm pebbles and look at the stars. Dad would tell stories about each constellation—interesting and captivating tales. A bright moon shone in the sky, and there wasn't a soul around. Only the sound of the wind howling and singing a sad song could be heard.
One day, when summer arrived, Kolya woke up and suddenly thought:
I wonder if the sea can talk?
The boy loved fairy tales and read lots of books, and in some of them, the sea could speak in a human voice.
Without thinking twice, Kolya decided to find out. He quickly got dressed, brushed his teeth, had some tea with warm buns that his mum had baked for him, and left the house.
Where are you off to so early?
His mum asked.
Kolya decided not to tell her what he was planning. After all, his mum and dad never let him go to the seashore alone. The sea often raged, and waves would rise so high they nearly reached the fence that surrounded Kolya's house.
Nowhere, really.
The boy hesitated.
I just thought I'd look outside. Maybe my friends are already awake and playing.
At that moment, a cheerful voice rang out:
G'day, Kolya!
It was his classmate—Nikita. The boys sat at the same desk and sometimes played outside together. But Nikita was quite different—he didn't like studying, skipped lessons, didn't enjoy reading, and was always rude. Plus, Nikita was always dropping lolly wrappers and ice-cream packets on the street. He was always making a mess and never cleaned up after himself.
What are you doing?
Nikita asked Kolya.
I wanted to quickly go down to the seashore and find out if it can talk. In one of the fairy tales I read, the sea spoke in a human voice, and I...
Before the boy could finish, Nikita interrupted:
Crikey, I want to come too! Let's go together! But I need to pop home and grab a basket for the trip—some lollies, biscuits, and cordial.
Kolya looked back. His mum was bustling about in the kitchen, and his dad was busy with chores around the house. Neither of them saw Kolya leaving.
The boys took off and ran to Nikita's place. After gathering everything they needed, the lads came to the shore, spread out a blanket, and sat down with lollies and biscuits laid out in front of them.
Right then, shall we talk to it?
Nikita asked.
Talk to what?
Kolya looked puzzled.
To the sea, of course! You said it could talk. Let's see if it answers us or not. Hey, you, sea! Why are you quiet? Cat got your tongue?
Nikita called out with a laugh.
Only silence answered.
Silent dark swamp.
Nikita continued to tease the sea.
Looks like you can't talk after all, and the fairy tales about you are lies.
Nikita, maybe we shouldn't upset it! What if it can hear everything?
Kolya said, frightened.
It can't hear anything!
Nikita shouted and threw a lolly wrapper into the water. Then another, and another.
Suddenly, a terrible wind rose up, everything swirled around, the basket of sweets was lifted high into the air and carried far away.
Nikita, we need to go home. A storm's going to come up and the waves will sweep us away!
Kolya cried out in fear.
You're such a scaredy-cat!
Nikita laughed.
It won't do anything to us!
And suddenly, turning around, the boys saw an enormous wave rushing towards them very quickly. Before they could react, the lads found themselves caught in a whirlpool of water. A few seconds passed, and both boys lost consciousness.
Where are we?
Kolya opened his eyes in shock.
Everything around was blue, filled with water. Colourful fish swam past the boy: large sea perch, flatfish, ruffe, and even sea needles circled around him. Seaweed grew all around, and there was no land to be seen anywhere.
Nikita, wake up!
Kolya cried out.
Where are we?
Nikita, coming to, jumped to the side:
I think we're dreaming!
Welcome to my realm!
Suddenly, a loud, piercing voice was heard.
How do you like it in my waters?
Who are you?
The boys cried out in fear together.
Ha-ha-ha, who am I! And why did you come to the shore? To hear the voice of the sea? Well, I am the Sea!
Can the sea really talk?
Nikita whispered in surprise and looked at Kolya.
Of course, it can!
The Sea said with a laugh.
Why are we here? What will you do with us? Why have you locked us away?
Who was throwing rubbish at me?
The Sea asked.
What rubbish?
Nikita protested.
Wrappers? Are those rubbish? They're just pretty bits of paper! I wanted to decorate you with them, since you're so gloomy and dark blue.
How can you pollute the sea? Because of wrappers and other rubbish, everything living in me can die. There will be no fish, no seaweed, and then all life on earth will perish too, because without me there is no life for anything on earth!
You're right, we shouldn't pollute the sea. We learned that at school!
Kolya cried out.
Nikita, what's going to happen to us now?
Kolya cried out in fear.
Promise me that you'll never do this again, and that you'll never pollute the ocean depths!
We promise, we promise! Never, do you hear, I'll never throw rubbish into your realm! And what's more, I'm going to study hard and learn what I can and can't do!
Everything around began to bubble and swirl. A whirlpool caught the boys and in an instant threw them onto the dry shore. And their clothes were even dry, as if nothing had happened to them at all.
Kolya and Nikita looked at each other, and then promised they'd never tell anyone about this. From that day on, they never troubled the ocean depths again.
The sea really can talk, only not everyone knows about it. Read fairy tales, treat nature with care, because it's thanks to nature that all life and beauty exist on earth.
Read sказки and you'll discover many more magical stories and mysterious adventures.
