If you divide something into two equal parts, then one of those parts will be called a half. Everything in the world has its own half. Two cherries connected by a thin stem—two ripe halves. They are lovely both together and apart.
If you put a juicy cherry in your mouth, you can taste something sweet and sour at the same time, and inside there's a hard stone. Each cherry is delicious, but most often they grow in pairs. After all, two cherries on one branch—that's twice as delicious!
People have their own "other halves" too. For example, mum and dad are two "halves" joined together by love. Some people search for their "other half" their whole life, making mistakes, worrying, but never giving up. Nobody wants to be a lonely cherry on a branch, because together it's easier, merrier, and more peaceful.
And a mischievous little fellow called Cupid helps the "halves" find each other. He's a chubby, rosy-cheeked child who possesses magical power. He can see the thin threads that connect two "halves" into one—like the stem of cherries. And then Cupid ties these threads into a knot, and the "halves" come together—they fall in love.
Cupid is called a mischief-maker for good reason. He simply cannot sit still. And if the little one gets bored—trouble is sure to follow. Or fun. Depending on how you look at it.
Vitya and Sonya were quarrelling on the children's playground one day. They couldn't agree about a beautiful doll. Sonya had brought it from home, and Vitya had asked to play with it. He had no dolls at home. Plenty of toy cars, but not a single doll. He was curious. Sonya was being selfish and didn't want to give the doll up.
Let me play with it! Or else I'll... I'll...! —Vitya shouted at Sonya as she grabbed the doll by the hair and ran away from him across the playground.
You won't catch me! —Sonya cried indignantly but cheekily, and stuck out her tongue.
Oh, is that so! Just you wait! —Vitya managed to catch up with the girl. He grabbed the doll and started pulling it towards him with all his might.
Don't pull! You'll break it! —Sonya wailed, and all the fun suddenly stopped.
Greedy!
Idiot!
You are!
Cupid was flying past the playground just at that moment. He stopped and watched the quarrel. The boy and girl were still too young for him to see the threads coming from them. "I think they're perfect for each other!" thought Cupid, and with one wave of his hand he tied Sonya and Vitya together. "They'll thank me for this," the magician thought to himself. What a commotion started!
I'm telling mum everything, —Sonya said weakly and let go of the doll.
Vitya fell straight into a puddle in surprise. Then, dirty and wet, he ran up to the girl (who was wearing a pretty pink dress with daisies) and hugged her with all his might.
What are you doing! Ugh! Horrid! —Sonya cried out, but she resisted only half-heartedly.
That's for making me fall in the puddle. Here, take your doll, —Vitya gave Sonya back the wretched toy.
It's dirty now too, —the girl said sadly.
Just like you! And me! How about we play families? —suggested Vitya.
With you? I don't want to, —the girl perked up. She stood up and stamped her little foot.
Well, I don't want to with you! —the boy shouted and pulled Sonya's long fair plait.
Idiot!
You are!
Vitya spent a long time running away from Sonya, who tried to catch him and push him into the puddle again to get revenge for her plait and her doll. But he was faster. And when it was time to go home, the children didn't want to part at all. As they said goodbye, Vitya even gave Sonya a little kiss on the cheek.
Cupid clapped his hands with joy. He hadn't made a mistake after all. It had turned out both fun and worthwhile.
Sonya and Vitya grew up long ago. Now they take not a doll, but a real little girl to nursery school. And she plays on that very same playground.
They became each other's "halves"—two little berries of cherry on one branch. And that branch is strong; no misfortune could break it. That's what happens when Cupid gets bored!
