"Lazar Lagin. The Old Genie Hottabych (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

blessed of all young men, that I am none other than the mighty Genie Hassan
Abdurrakhman ibn Hottab-that is, the son of Hottab, famed in all four
corners of the world."
All this was so interesting it made Volka forget he was hanging under
the ceiling on a chandelier hook.
"A 'gin-e'? Isn't that some kind of a drink?"
"I am not a drink, 0 inquisitive youth!" the old man flared up again,
then took himself in hand once more and calmed down. "I am not a beverage,
but a mighty, unconquerable spirit. There is no magic in the world which I
cannot do, and my name, as I have already had the pleasure of conveying to
your great and extremely respected attention, is Hassan Abdurrakhman ibn
Hottab, or, as you would say in Russian, Hassan Abdurrakhman Hottabych. If
you mention it to the first Ifrit or Genie you meet, you'll see him tremble,
and his mouth will go dry from fear," the old man continued boastfully.
"My story- hachoo!- is strange, indeed. And if it were written with
needles in the corners of the eyes, it would be a good lesson for all those
who seek learning. I, most unfortunate Genie that I am, disobeyed Sulayman,
son of David (on the twain be peace!)-I, and my brother, Omar Asaf
Hottabych. Then Sulayman sent his Vizier Asaf, son of Barakhiya, to seize
us, and he brought us back against our will. Sulayman, David's son (on the
twain be peace!), ordered two bottles brought to him: a copper one and a
clay one. He put me in the clay vessel and my brother Omar Hottabych in the
copper one. He sealed both vessels and imprinted the greatest of all names
of Allah on them and then ordered his Genies to carry us off and throw my
brother into the sea and me into the river, from which you, 0 my blessed
saviour- hachoo, hachoo!-have fished me. May your days be prolonged. 0....
Begging your pardon, I would be indescribably happy to know your name, most
beautiful of all youths."
"My name's Volka," our hero replied as he swayed softly to and fro
under the ceiling.
"And what is your fortunate father's name, may he be blessed for
eternity? Tell me the most gentle of all his names, as he is certainly
deserving of great love and gratitude for presenting the world with such an
outstanding offspring."
"His name's Alexei. And his most gentle ... most gentle name is
Alyosha."
"Then know ye, most deserving of all youths, the star of my heart,
Volka ibn Alyosha, that I will henceforth fulfil all your wishes, since you
have saved me from the most horrible imprisonment. Hachoo!"
"Why do you keep on sneezing so?" Volka asked, as though everything
else was quite clear.
"The many thousand years I spent in dampness, deprived of the
beneficial rays of the sun, in a cold vessel lying on the bottom of a river,
have given me, your undeserving servant, a most tiresome running nose.
Hachoo! Hachoo! But all this is of no importance at all and unworthy of your
most treasured attention. Order me as you wish, 0 young master!" Hassan
Abdurrakhman ibn Hottab concluded heatedly with his head raised, but still
kneeling.
"First of all, won't you please rise," Volka said.
"Your every word is my command," the old man replied obediently and