"Children's Books - Sasha Mansor and Storks" - читать интересную книгу автора (Children's Books)

of the palace. Sasha was furious to see a stranger sitting in his golden
carriage, escorted by his own servants and guards. Wicked Kashenor's trick had
worked, for the wizard's son was on his way to seize the Ruler's throne.
"Hurry!" urged Sasha. "We must dash back to the palace. Who is that
imposter?"
"It's the son of Kashenor, that wizard you once banned from the palace,"
replied Mansor in horror. "He swore he'd get even. Remember?"
But even as he spoke, the Chief Minister shook with fear, for what he
himself could not remember was the magic word. The two storks landed on the
ground, ready to become humans again, but Sasha could only stammer . . . "I
don't remember . . . I don't remember . . ." They looked at each other sadly:
"We'll never be human beings again!"
Followed by the Ruler, the Chief Minister rose into the air.
"We'll go to Mecca and pray on the Prophet's tomb. Perhaps he'll help us
remember the magic word." But Mecca was a long way away and the sun was
setting. Tired and hungry, the two storks landed amongst the ruins of an old
temple. As they looked around them, seeking food and water, a sudden
long-drawn out screech made them jump in fright. Who on earth was living in
such a lonely place? Sasha plucked up courage.
"Let's go and find out!" he said, and off they went through the crumbled
buildings. From a dark corner a pair of big yellow eyes glowed and the
mournful cry of some strange creature echoed louder than before. It was a huge
owl.
"Thank goodness," it said, "I've been waiting for years. The spell is sure
now to be broken..." Sasha and Mansor stared at each other in amazement on
hearing the owl talk.
"Who are you?" they asked it.
"I'm Naja, the King of India's daughter. Many years ago, an evil wizard
called Kashenor wanted me to marry his son Mizrah, so that he could seize my
father's kingdom. One day, disguised as a slave, Kashenor gave me a cool drink
in the garden. That turned me into an owl. Kashenor said I'd remain a horrible
bird till the day someone came, wanting to marry me. That's why I've been
sentenced to making my home in these ruins."
"So you're one of Kashenor's victims too!" exclaimed the Ruler, and he went
on to tell the owl his own story.
"What shall we do now?" they asked themselves.
"There's hope yet," replied the owl. "For now and again, Kashenor meets the
other wizards in one of the ruined halls. While they're banqueting, they boast
of what they've done. If Kashenor should brag of what he did to you, then he
might repeat the magic word you've forgotten!"
"Goodness, yes!" agreed the storks. "Let's go to the hall." But the owl sat
where she was.
"Before we go," she said, "one of you must promise to marry me. Otherwise
I'll remain a bird forever!"
"Very well! I promise I'll marry you, but only if I manage to hear the
magic word and break the spell," said the Ruler.
So the owl led the storks along a narrow passage beneath the temple, to a
hall.
"This is their meeting place. We can spy on them from this hole." The three
birds took turns at keeping watch. Then one evening, the murmur of voices