Long ago, this happened. In the most magical place on earth, in a land with a melodious name called Alania, there lived a Master with magical hands. Everything he touched instantly became incredibly beautiful.
The Master hears the roaring Terek River rushing by, tossing mountain boulders about. He catches one, and the stone transforms in the Master's hands into a playful little horse.
He notices a branch accidentally broken by a capricious spring wind, picks it up, and the branch becomes a warrior's sword.
He spots fragments of a clay pitcher near a tower, shattered by the mischievous little girl Dzerka, gathers them, and as if by the wave of a magic wand, they transform into a children's bird whistle.
Word of the Master spread throughout all of Alania, and legends of his magical hands were told in every corner. He delighted everyone, but the spoiled Dzerka, who lived nearby, couldn't be amazed by anything he made. The Master thought long and decided to craft a doll for her: all girls love to play with dolls.
He wandered for a long time through the blooming emerald Alania searching for material for a creation that would bring joy to the little girl, but found nothing suitable. He sat on a large mountain stone and grew sad.
He lifted his head to the azure sky, breathed in the crystal air of the mountains, and saw someone flying toward him. Out of nowhere appeared a small spring swallow. She dropped a tiny piece of straw into the Master's magical palm.
The Master was surprised, kneaded it in his hands, and a straw doll appeared. He went to little Dzerka and gave her the gift, but she only snorted and said: "When the spring rain falls, my toy will get wet. What will I do with it then?"
The Master thought and went to the gorge again. He sat on the largest stone that the rushing river had cast out and lifted his eyes to the Alanian blue sky. He sees the swallow flying toward him, carrying a piece of clay.
The Master thought, kneaded the piece in his fingers, and a clay doll appeared. He went to Dzerka again, but it was no use. The willful girl said: "Spring weather is so changeable: sometimes it rains, sometimes the sun shines so hot you get thirsty. I'll go for water and forget the doll in the sun. It will crack and crumble. What will I do with it then?"
The craftsman grew very sad and went to the grove. Perhaps the trees and grasses of Alania could give him advice. Suddenly he heard a bird's song, lifted his head, and saw the familiar swallow again. This time the swallow brought a piece of velvet fabric in her beak. The Master created a doll of extraordinary beauty from it.
Her dress shimmered, and the sleeves were embroidered with intricate patterns. Her waist was wrapped in a golden belt, and on her little head was a bonnet with delicate lace.
The Master was delighted with the result and quickly ran to Dzerka. She was playing, gathering peas into a basket and listening to the peas talking to each other. Seeing the doll, Dzerka shone with happiness: her eyes sparkled, and a joyful, radiant smile appeared on her face.
Jumping up and down, she said: "Finally you've made what I've been waiting for so long! I can play with this doll in any weather. Nothing scares it! I will cherish and love it. After all, you put your heart into it. Thank you, Master!"
Dzerka hugged the Master and rushed off to play with the doll, so fast that the spring wind couldn't keep up with her.
And the Master looked around and sighed with relief. He was glad he had pleased the little girl. Standing for a moment, he hurried back to his workshop to continue creating wonders that brought so much joy and happiness to both children and adults.
