In a faraway town there lived a boy named Misha with a very kind heart. He didn't live alone, of course, but in summer he was often bored. His mum went to work every day and only returned late at night, his dad was away on business trips altogether, and his mates from school were off travelling to beaches and holiday resorts.
So Misha usually went for walks. And on one such day he was passing by a dense forest when suddenly — a light flashed. His mum had told the boy not to go into the forest, but curiosity was stronger than any warning.
Without a moment's hesitation, Misha headed into the forest. The strange light led him to a clearing — and what a scene! A butterfly of incredible beauty, the size of a hand or even bigger, was tangled in a spider's web. And an equally enormous spider was crawling towards it.
If it had been someone else instead of Misha, they would have been frightened, but our hero was brave. He wasn't scared, picked up a stick and drove away the terrible creature. And suddenly the butterfly vanished. And all at once a beautiful young woman appeared in the clearing, in a long dress with delicate wings.
Thank you, my rescuer.
She spoke in a ringing voice.
Since you found me and saved me, I grant you three wishes. What do you desire?
Misha even rubbed his eyes — the beauty hadn't disappeared. And then, smiling broadly, he squeezed his eyes shut and wished:
I want a Transformer. From the new collection.
You shall have a Transformer this evening. What else do you wish for?
Misha paused to think. Wishes are such a thing, you can't waste them on any old rubbish. Books said that magic only comes once in a lifetime.
I want… I want Mum and Dad not to have to work so much.
The boy stated firmly. A gentle smile appeared on the fairy's lips.
Excellent choice. And the last one?
How about… How about you tell me everything about magic!
The boy couldn't help himself.
Well, I can't tell you everything, but… What do you want to know? Let's not count this as a wish.
Who are you? Are you a real fairy? And where are the others? Why haven't I seen any of you before?
In the smiling girl's eyes, sadness suddenly flickered.
Yes, I'm a fairy. There are many of us, but we live in our own world, where you cannot enter. I'm the only one here, flying about your world. I was cursed long ago. I met a powerful sorcerer who wanted wishes. I wouldn't help him, so in return he trapped me on Earth. I must fulfil your wishes…
The fairy sadly lowered her head. Unable to bear it, Misha ran up to her and patted her head.
Don't cry! You know what? Let my third wish be: that you are free!
The fairy laughed with happiness, thanked the boy warmly and vanished right there on the forest path. And that evening Mum came home. She shared the good news that she and Dad had been promoted, and now they'd be home more often.
And she brought a Transformer as a present, naturally.
