In a small house there lived a little girl with her parents – Vera. She loved playing in her room whilst her mum was cooking in the kitchen. But when her mum asked her to tidy up after herself, Vera would be difficult and refuse. She really did not like tidying up her room.
One evening the girl was, as usual, busy with her toys. Suddenly someone sneezed in the corner behind the bed. Vera thought she had imagined it. But it happened again.
Then Vera became curious, and she wasn't frightened in the slightest. She moved all the toys away from the corner and peeped behind the bed. There sat a strange, shaggy little man. His hair and beard looked like balls of dust. The little man lifted his head and was startled – he hadn't expected to be discovered, since no one had ever looked into that corner before.
Who are you?
Vera asked nervously.
And what are you doing here?
Hello, Vera! I'm the Dusty Little Man. You never tidy up your room, and for me – it's the best place to live! The more dust there is, the faster I'll grow!
I don't want you living in my room!
The girl said firmly.
So you'll never get rid of me. Come on, let's be friends!
Said the little man.
I'm almost ready, and soon I'll drive you all out of this house and build my own kingdom!
No, I will never be friends with you!
The girl cried out.
I'll clean all the dust right now and chase you out of my room for ever. And I won't let you come back here again!
The girl ran to her mum in the kitchen, took a damp floor cloth and a vacuum cleaner from her, and started tidying up her room. Very soon everything around was gleaming clean, and the Dusty Little Man had no choice but to leave the house for ever.
From that day on, Vera's room was always tidy and all the dust was wiped away.
