Long ago it was. In the most wonderful place on earth, in a land with the melodious name of Alania, there lived a Master with magical hands. Everything he touched instantly became incredibly beautiful.
The Master hears the roaring Terek River rushing, tossing mountain boulders about. He catches one, and the stone transforms in the Master's hands into a playful little horse.
He notices a branch accidentally broken by a capricious spring wind, takes it, and the branch becomes a warrior's sword.
He spots shards of a clay pitcher near a tower, broken by the little mischief-maker Dzerka, collects them, and as if by the wave of a magic wand, they transform into a children's bird-whistle.
Word of the Master spread throughout all of Alania, and legends of his magical hands were told in every corner. He delighted everyone, but the spoiled Dzerka, who lived nearby, couldn't be amazed by anything he created. The Master thought long and decided to craft a doll for her: all girls love to play with dolls.
He wandered for a long time through the blooming emerald Alania searching for material for a creation that would bring joy to the little girl, but found nothing suitable. He sat on a large mountain stone and grew sad.
He lifted his head to the azure sky, breathed in the air of the crystal mountains, and saw someone flying toward him. Out of nowhere appeared a small spring swallow. She dropped a small wisp of straw into the Master's magical palm.
The Master was surprised, kneaded it in his hands, and a straw doll appeared. He came to little Dzerka and gave her the gift, but she only snorted and said: "When the spring rain falls, my toy will get wet. What will I do with it then?"
The Master thought and headed to the gorge again. He sat on the largest stone that the rushing river had cast out, and raised his eyes to the Alanian blue sky. He sees the swallow flying toward him carrying a piece of clay.
The Master thought, kneaded the piece in his fingers, and a clay doll appeared. He went to Dzerka again, but it was no use. The willful girl said: "Spring weather is so changeable: sometimes it rains, sometimes the sun beats down so hard you get thirsty. I'll go for water and forget the doll in the sun. It will crack and crumble. What will I do with it then?"
The craftsman grew very sad and went to the grove. Perhaps the trees and grasses of Alania would give him advice. Suddenly he heard a bird's song, lifted his head, and again saw the familiar swallow. This time the swallow brought a piece of velvet fabric in her beak. The Master created a doll of extraordinary beauty from it.
Her dress shimmered, and the sleeves were embroidered with an intricate pattern. Her waist was wrapped with a golden belt, and on her little head was a small cap with delicate lace.
The Master was delighted with the result and quickly ran to Dzerka. She was playing, collecting pea seeds into a basket and listening to the conversation of pea-shaped dolls. Seeing the doll, Dzerka shone with happiness: her eyes sparkled, and a joyful radiant smile appeared on her face.
Jumping up, she said: "Finally you've made what I've been waiting for so long! I can play with this doll in any weather, in rain or shine. Nothing scares it! I will cherish and love it. After all, you put your heart into it. Thank you, Master!"
Dzerka hugged the Master and rushed off to play with the doll, so quickly that the spring wind couldn't keep up with her.
And the Master looked around and sighed with relief. He was glad he had pleased the little girl. Standing for a moment, he hurried back to his workshop to continue creating wonders that brought so much joy and happiness to both children and adults.
