In a small house on the edge of a village lived a little boy named Seryozha. He was a cheerful child who, like all children, loved fun and games very much. During the day he happily chased a ball with other boys in the street, and in the evening he played his favourite games at home. The boy Seryozha grew up to be curious and was interested in everything around him, and always gladly told his family about his new discoveries.
One day Seryozha was so absorbed in playing with his new construction set that he didn't notice how evening had come and night was already at the door. And when his mum called him to sleep, he asked: "Mum, why do I need to go to sleep? After all, I'll miss so much interesting stuff while I'm sleeping!".
His family tried for a long time to persuade the child to get into bed, but Seryozha stood firm. Instead of listening to his mum and dad, he took his favourite sabre and ran out into the yard.
Outside it was already dark night. But the boy was brave and wasn't afraid of the darkness.
Seryozha shouted loudly:
Night, go away forever and never come back! Now the Sun will always shine over our house and I'll never have to go to sleep.
And the Night was offended by the boy and left the yard. A bright and cheerful Sun shone over Seryozha's house, the one the child had been waiting for so much. Seryozha started playing with sun bunnies, he was having great fun, he was delighted by the warm rays.
But very soon the boy noticed that the Sun had stopped being cheerful and had become sad:
Sun, what's happened to you? Why are you sad?
Seryozha asked.
You see, Seryozha. You're a very good boy and I have fun with you. But other children all over the world are waiting for me! I'm sad because they want to play with me too! My little sister Night and I agreed that when I need to go, she comes in my place. But today Night was late for some reason. And now I have to keep shining over your house all the time!
Seryozha didn't confess to the Sun that he was the one who chased Night away from the yard. He decided to find her himself and ask her to come back.
He really didn't want the Sun to be sad:
Sun, I'll help you find your little sister Night.
Said Seryozha, and ran off to search for the Night.
But Seryozha didn't know where to look for the offended Night. He ran through the field, went down to the river, came to the edge of the forest. She wasn't anywhere. Walking along the edge of the forest, upset Seryozha didn't notice how he wandered into the thicket. It was dark around, but the boy wasn't afraid, because the Sun was with him, and in his hand was his faithful sabre. Seryozha started calling out loudly for the Night, but in response he only heard the hooting of an owl.
Night, please forgive me! I didn't quite understand what I was doing. I really don't want the Sun to be sad. And I'll come to love you too!
Seryozha shouted loudly.
Seryozha heard branches crack, leaves rustle, and the Night herself came out to him. She was so dark that it was hard to make anything out, she looked with a kind gaze, smiled, and disappeared.
When the boy got out of the forest, he felt that he was very tired and had no strength left to walk. Then someone picked him up in their gentle, warm arms and carried him. And Seryozha very soon found himself in his home and in his soft bed. As he closed his eyes, he thought about what an interesting adventure he'd had today, not suspecting that it was only a wonderful fairy tale dream.
