In one tiny little town, far, far away from London, there lived a girl called Masha. And she seemed to have everything going for her — she was pretty, clever, and ready to start Year One. But she desperately wanted to spend time on the Internet.
Oh, Mum, please buy me a tablet.
This was heard in their house every single day.
But Mother wouldn't give in at first. Time and again she would ask:
Why do you need a tablet, sweetheart? Haven't you got enough to do? We've got such lovely countryside here, such lovely countryside…
But Masha wouldn't let up, and she'd start her song all over 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 clever at school!
And one day her loving mother's heart melted. She scraped together what she could from her savings and the neighbours, and one day brought home a tablet. She handed it to a beaming Masha, smiled at her own thoughts, and went off to potter in the garden.
Masha settled herself on the sofa with the tablet and started playing. And there really was so much there… You could message friends, watch bright videos, see loads and loads of colourful pictures and listen to lively music.
And Masha didn't notice how a whole day had passed. Her mum came to her and clicked her tongue disapprovingly:
So you've sat here all day, have you? Right, off to bed!
Just five more minutes!
But Mother was firm:
It's already ten o'clock at night! All the decent girls are already asleep.
Reluctantly, Masha put down the tablet and went to bed. And she dreamt 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 in much the same way. Only this time Masha's mum was expecting guests. She bustled about the house all day, but Masha refused to help. Mum had to do everything herself: lay the table, tidy the house, and work in the garden.
Masha just brushed off her requests, because the Internet was more interesting. And even when Valerie came round with her mother, Masha didn't even turn her head in their direction. Mum just shook her head sadly and left.
And Masha didn't notice how the day had passed, and she fell asleep with the tablet still in her hands.
Who knows how long she slept, but she woke up in a pitch-black room.
Muuuuum.
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. And to her horror, Masha discovered it was coming from the tablet.
What's happened? Where's she gone?
The girl asked in a trembling voice.
Does it really matter? It's October now, she's gone to town.
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've got everything here: you and I can learn the school curriculum together ourselves.
Masha even thought she saw a smirk appear on the black screen.
But what about Valerie? Mum, my classmates? No, this can't be right at all.
That's all nonsense, you'll soon forget. Mum won't come back, she's cross with you. And it'll be just the two of us for the rest of our lives. I'll show you so many games, so many videos. Want to?
Nooooo.
Masha backed away in fright.
No-no-no-no.
And she screamed. She sat down on the floor and just started screaming… Then suddenly woke up.
What's the matter, 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 astonished mum stroked Masha's head and didn't understand what had happened. Perhaps it was for the best. But Masha became her old self again, and never spent more than an hour on the tablet. Otherwise those nasty dreams might come back again.
