There is it, there is this inspiration in me today! Once upon a time long ago, as far back as 1972, a children’s book by an unknown children’s author appeared in our house, titled “The Green Pill.” This book was read “to holes” by my papa and my younger sister. I want to present my free retelling of this fairy tale.
“There lived a boy Vova, his surname was Ivanov, he went to school, to third grade. Vova had a little brother who lay in a pram and did nothing. But for some reason this little one was given the most attention by mama, and papa, and grandmother and grandfather. And Vova could only watch and listen as everyone admired this baby. ‘Ah what a pretty one he is, ah what a clever one he is!’ At the same time Vova’s mama would manage to ask Vova: ‘Have you done your homework? Don’t forget to buy bread when you come back from school.’ (This was Vova’s sacred duty — to buy bread, returning from school.) And Vova so did not want to do anything. He just wanted to sit on the fence with a caramel in his cheek.
But here it is, a winter Monday morning! ‘Get up and go!’ thought Vova, but only thought it, and then mama’s voice came from the kitchen: ‘Get up, get up, come on get up, time for school!’ and she turned the radio up louder. He had to get up, get ready and go out. Vova walks unhurriedly to school ‘along a long road,’ carefully examining everything on his way and once again counting the steps to school…. all schools in those times were called ‘Temples of Knowledge,’ and education in these temples was universal, with a single programme for all, programmed for the bright future of all who studied.
Vova walks, suspecting nothing of his bright future, and sees a notice printed in large letters in verse: ‘all girls and boys, without tablets and torment, I deliver from laziness, from offences and sorrows, from colds in a draught and from twos in the diary.’ Then the signature Doctor Nebolit. Ring 3 times, and at the bottom an addition ‘whoever cannot reach the bell, it is enough for them to squeak under the door.’ ‘Not very dignified somehow, to squeak under the door!’ thought Vova, rose on tiptoe and pressed the bell button three times.
Steps were heard behind the door, the door opened and on the threshold appeared a grey-haired, thin little old man with a beard, in glasses and with a friendly smile. The old man held out his hand and introduced himself: ‘Doctor Nebolit!’ ‘Oh,’ thought Vova, ‘what an unusual name the doctor has!’ and quietly, holding out his hand in reply, said: ‘Vova.’”
The continuation will come as inspiration comes, possibly tomorrow…