In a small, small town, far away from Toronto, there lived a girl named Masha. She seemed to have everything going for her — she was pretty, smart, and ready to start Grade 1. But she really, really wanted to spend time on the Internet.
Please, Mum, please buy me a tablet.
This was heard in their house every day.
But her mother didn't give in at first. Time and again, she'd ask:
Why do you need a tablet, sweetheart? Don't you have enough to do? We have such beautiful nature here, such beautiful nature…
But Masha wouldn't let up, and she'd start her song again:
I want to go on the Internet, like Valerie. There's so much there, Mum… Valerie says there are educational apps. With a tablet, I'll be so smart at school!
And one day, her loving mother's heart melted. She scraped together what she could from savings and neighbours, and brought home a tablet. She handed it to a beaming Masha, smiled at her own thoughts, and went off to work in the garden.
Masha sat down on the couch with her tablet and started playing. And there really was so much there… You could chat with friends, watch bright videos, see loads and loads of colourful pictures and listen to upbeat music.
Masha didn't notice how the whole day passed. Her mum came to her and clicked her tongue in annoyance:
So you've been sitting here all day? Off to bed now!
Just five more minutes!
But her mother was firm:
It's already ten o'clock at night! All proper girls are already asleep.
Reluctantly, Masha put down the tablet and went to bed. She dreamed that she'd become the most popular person on the Internet. So in her sleep, Masha smiled broadly, delighting her mum.
The next day passed the same way. Except Masha's mum was expecting guests. She bustled around the house all day, but Masha refused to help. Mum had to do everything herself: set the table, clean the house, and work in the garden.
Masha just brushed off her requests, because the Internet was more interesting. And even when Valerie came with her mother, Masha didn't even turn her head in their direction. Mum just shook her head sadly and left.
Masha didn't notice how the day passed, and she fell asleep with the tablet still in her hands.
Who knows how long she slept, but she woke up in a dark, dark room.
Muuuum.
Masha called out, but no one answered. Frightened, the girl jumped up, put on her slippers, and ran through the house. But there was no one there.
She's gone.
A voice suddenly rang out. To her horror, Masha realized it was coming from the tablet.
What happened? Where did she go?
The girl asked in a trembling voice.
Does it matter? It's October now, she's gone to the city.
October? What about me? I was supposed to start school!
Masha clutched her head in dismay.
Do you really need it? Think about it. I have everything here: you and I will learn the school curriculum together.
Masha even thought she saw a smirk appear on the black screen.
What about Valerie? Mum, my classmates? No, this can't be right.
That's all nonsense, you'll forget soon enough. Mum won't come back, she's upset with you. And it'll be just the two of us for life. I'll show you so many games, so many videos. Want to see?
Nooooo.
Masha backed away in fear.
No-no-no-no.
And she screamed. She sat on the floor and just started screaming… Then suddenly woke up.
What's wrong, Masha? Did you have a bad dream?
Her frightened mum appeared in the doorway.
It's nothing, Mummy.
Masha ran to her mum and hugged her tightly.
I'm sorry. From now on, I'll always, always help you around the house. And I'll throw away that tablet.
Her amazed mum stroked Masha's head and didn't understand what had happened. Maybe it was for the best. But Masha became her old self again, and never spent more than an hour on the tablet. Otherwise, those awful dreams might come back.
