In a tiny little town, far far away from New York City, there lived a girl named Masha. She seemed to have everything going for her — she was pretty, smart, and ready to start first grade. But there was one thing she desperately wanted: to spend time on the Internet.
Mom, please, please buy me a tablet.
This phrase echoed through their house every single day.
But at first, her mother held firm. Time and again, she would ask:
Why do you need a tablet, sweetheart? Don't you have enough to do? We have such beautiful nature here, such beautiful nature…
But Masha wouldn't give up, and she'd start her song all over again:
I want to go on the Internet, just like Valerie. There's so much there, Mom… Valerie says there are educational apps. With a tablet, I'll be so smart at school!
And one day, her loving mother's heart melted. She scraped together what she could from savings and neighbors, and brought home a tablet. She handed it to a beaming Masha, smiled at her own thoughts, and went off to work in the garden.
Masha climbed onto the couch with her tablet and started playing. And there really was so much there… She could chat with friends, watch bright videos, see tons of colorful pictures and listen to upbeat music.
Masha didn't notice how the entire day slipped by. Her mom came to her and clicked her tongue in frustration:
So you've been sitting here all day? Off to bed now!
Just five more minutes!
But her mother was firm:
It's already ten at night! All the good girls are already asleep.
Reluctantly, Masha put down the tablet and went to bed. She dreamed that she had become the most popular person on the Internet. In her sleep, Masha smiled broadly, delighting her mother.
The next day passed the same way. Except this time, Masha's mom was expecting guests. She bustled around the house all day, but Masha refused to help. Mom had to do everything herself: set the table, clean the house, and work in the garden.
Masha just brushed off her requests, because the Internet was more interesting. And even when Valerie came over with her mother, Masha didn't even turn her head in their direction. Mom just shook her head sadly and left.
Masha didn't notice how the day 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-dark room.
Mooooom.
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. To her horror, Masha realized it was coming from the tablet.
What happened? Where did she go?
The girl asked in a trembling voice.
Does it really matter? It's October now, she's gone to the city.
October? But what about me? I was supposed to start school!
Masha clutched her head in dismay.
Do you really need it, think about it? I have everything here: you and I can learn the whole school curriculum together.
It even seemed to Masha that a smirk appeared on the black screen.
But what about Valerie? Mom, my classmates? No, this can't be right.
That's all nonsense, you'll forget soon enough. Mom won't come back, she's upset with you. And it'll be just the two of us for the rest of your life. I'll show you so many games, so many videos. Want to see?
Nooooo.
Masha backed away in fear.
No-no-no-no.
And she screamed. She sat down on the floor and just started screaming… Then suddenly woke up.
What's wrong, Masha? Did you have a bad dream?
Her frightened mother appeared in the doorway.
It's nothing, Mommy.
Masha ran to her mom and hugged her tightly.
I'm sorry. From now on, I'll always help you around the house. And I'm throwing away that tablet.
Her amazed mother stroked Masha's head, not understanding what had happened. Maybe it was for the best. But Masha became her old self again, and never spent more than an hour on the tablet. Otherwise, those awful dreams might come back.
