The Fluffy Forests have always been known for the diversity of creatures inhabiting them. This attracted the Fang Hunters, who collected animals for the terrible collection of King UMA-UMA of Berlinia. This story is about a creature that was unusual even for the Fluffy Forests.
Our hero's name is Friend Colorspray. They called him Friend because every day he tried to help someone. In any way possible. Even if no one asked him to. This was the meaning of his life. And Colorspray he became because of his ability to shoot multicolored paint from coral growths on his back.
With such a talent, of course, he could truly help very few. He would repaint an elder's house without permission, or paint grandmother Gru's twins so she could tell them apart. But he had no idea what twist fate had in store for him! Friend Colorspray would help the entire Fluffy Forest and receive the highest award of the Fluffybellies! But let's take it one step at a time…
One day Friend Colorspray set out as usual to find those in need of help. Suddenly, Fang Hunters jumped out from an ambush. They threw a net over him and dragged him into a cage made of branches.
From fear, Colorspray squeezed his eyes shut and didn't open them the whole time they carried him. And they carried him for a very long time. When the cage was set on the ground, it was already dark. He was squeezed from all sides, suddenly lifted up, and then thrown onto something soft.
Opening his eyes, he looked around and cried, because he understood where he was. This was the castle of UMA-UMA. Colorspray recognized the place from the stories of the mad Hedgehog—the local crazy one, the only one who managed to escape from here. He lay on a pile of straw in one of many cages in the castle courtyard. Two guards sat by a fire nearby. They were much larger than the Fang Hunters.
By the way, they were called Fang Hunters because their lower teeth completely covered their nose. But these guards' teeth covered even their forehead and served as a sort of head protection.
They were talking very loudly. Colorspray decided to address them to ask for water. But as soon as he opened his mouth—someone suddenly grabbed his paw hard. Our hero jumped back and looked carefully: there was no one. Suddenly the hay rustled, and a quiet whisper came from the pile: "Don't you dare talk to them, they'll beat you."
Who are you? — Colorspray said, coming to his senses.
Quiet, — the voice whispered. — Lie down, pretend you're sleeping.
Colorspray lay down and asked again: "Who are you?"
I'm Pyu, — the voice answered from the hay.
Let me drink too, — Colorspray almost shouted.
No, no, I'm not drinking, my name is Pyu. I'm from the river valley. Here, take this, eat an apple. The hunters dropped it, but I didn't eat it because I'm losing weight to squeeze between the bars of the cage. Just a little bit left. Tonight I'll escape, and then I'll have lots of apples!
Colorspray pounced on the apple, it was very juicy and delicious. After eating half, he stopped.
I don't know how long I'll be here. I need to save some for later, — he muttered to himself and hid the food under the hay.
After quenching his thirst, he fell asleep right away. Even the loud voices of the overseers didn't bother him.
Colorspray was awakened by some noise. Opening his eyes, he saw bright torches. Getting used to the light, he saw how the guards were pulling a cellmate who was stuck in the bars by the leg. After pulling him out, they threw him in a bag and carried him up the stairs that were far away across from the cell.
Colorspray was sure that these stairs led to the chambers of the evil king UMA-UMA. And he also knew that soon he would follow Pyu. From worry, his throat dried up again. He put his hand where the apple lay and froze: it was gone.
Why did you eat it, Pyu? — Colorspray said sadly. — You were so close to escaping, and you would have had so many apples.
Soon the guards returned, and they walked straight to Colorspray. The cell door opened with a disgusting creak. The healthiest overseer suddenly grabbed him and shoved him into a bag.
For about ten minutes Colorspray was carried up the stairs, and then shaken out of the bag onto a cold hard floor. Colorspray couldn't believe his eyes. Before him stood an enormous throne. There sat the strangest creature he had ever seen: with absolutely white skin, long white hair, and white eyes. There was no doubt: this was the king of dark Berlinia, UMA-UMA. They say his great-grandfather was from the tribe of humans who live across the great water.
Seeing Colorspray, the king smiled, baring his white teeth.
Finally, — UMA-UMA said in a hoarse voice. — How long we've been looking for a rainbow hedgehog, finding your kind is a great rarity. You will work for everyone we didn't catch: I will take every drop of the rainbow. Snake-arms, squeeze everything out of him!
I will have the most beautiful hair in all the white world, and she will definitely agree, — the king said into the void.
The servants grabbed the poor creature with cold slimy tentacles and began to squeeze hard over a huge vat. Through the corals on his back, multicolored liquid flowed into the vat. The king immediately ordered a pitcher of magical paint to be filled.
For three days the snake-arms tortured the poor hedgehog, stopping only to give their victim water. Colorspray almost gave up, he had no more strength to endure the abuse. Suddenly the door to the room burst open. A Fang Hunter entered. He shouted to the servants to go to the square. There the king was gathering all his subjects so that each could see his new beautiful hair.
The servants threw the tortured prisoner next to the vat, not even tying him up, and left the hall. Colorspray didn't notice King UMA-UMA appear before him.
Look, you worthless creature, how beautiful my hair is now! You see it first!
The king's hair shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow, and around his neck hung a necklace of prisoners. They were all alive, but bound at the hands and feet. Pyu was there too, but Colorspray's gaze stopped on a small round creature—his neighbor Round Bo.
Bo recognized Colorspray and said with just his lips: "Help me, Friend."
Colorspray changed his expression. His gaze was no longer tormented, and his eyes lit up. After all, the meaning of Colorspray's life was to help others.
The king headed for the doors and threw them open. Colorspray understood that there was a balcony beyond, overlooking the square where UMA-UMA's people awaited him.
Gathering his last strength, Colorspray took a deep breath, and a huge ball of paint flew from the corals on his back. The king turned around in surprise, and the ball hit him right in the eyes. UMA-UMA shrieked, staggered, waved his arms and fell right into the vat of paint. The vat tipped over, and the magical paint spilled onto the balcony, and from there—onto the castle inhabitants.
The living necklace fell from the king's neck. It came undone, and the prisoners escaped, taking Colorspray with them. They carried him in their arms, because the poor hedgehog had no strength left.
After returning to the Fluffy Forests, Colorspray slept for a whole week. When he woke up—the elders of the Fluffybellies, who had long protected the forest, summoned him. They presented him with an award that only the chosen few received: the bravest and most courageous. Colorspray was appointed protector of the forest alongside the Fluffybellies. After all, the paint he splashed on all the Fang Hunters doesn't wash off, and now they can be easily spotted from far away.
This story is passed down by the inhabitants of the Fluffy Forests from generation to generation. Parents tell it to their children so they understand that even small creatures can do great things.
THE END.
