Syrin
Far from seas and far from oceans,
Far from superstitious notions,
Not in village, which is pretty,
But in heart of Moscow city
Prince and his trustworthy wife
Lived in very normal life,
Managed their household
Peacefully, without scold.
It was main their deed –
Lovely daughters’ birth indeed.
Elder who was Anastasia
Beautiful as rose acacia
She was blessing for her mom
Nice and lovely, smart and calm.
Second one – a Father’s dream,
Strong and frolic, quick and keen.
Katherine was a sure shot
Father-Prince himself her taught.
(Once she damaged father’s eye…
It is true….or may be lie :-))
And today my little story
Is about Katherine’s glory.
She was baby with a charm,
But could do a lot of harm.
Once she climbed on a roof…
Wanting family to spoof.
Kathy had a cherished dream –
Neither dresses, nor ice-cream,
Nor to be a Lorelei,
But if only she could fly.
If she could unfold her wings
Float high above the springs,
See all realm from bird’s eye view
That’s the dream she will pursue.
It’s a common known saw –
Word of daughter is a law.
Man of Wisdom should we ask
How to solve that tricky task.
“Dear Wise man, practiced eye,
Please advise how she can fly?”
Wise man said “I know much
And with you in common touch,
I may say that many creatures
Fly in skies with special features –
Bats and dragons and all birds
Fly with wings, in other words.
Plane transits over land,
Children cannot fly, my friend.
Father-Prince was so upset.
Such an aim he’s never met.
And he sent to other land,
Where his forces were expand,
Outrunners with request
Fly receipt for him to quest,
Promising a big reward –
Half a kingdom and his sword.
Many months have passed since then
And he made sure once again –
Little children cannot fly,
Cannot soar in the sky.
Once in April, late at night,
When the moon and stars were bright,
Shining in a fitful gleam,
Mother-Princess saw a dream.
Farness on an faery tree
Lived a bird which might foresee
Future. And it sang a song
Helping sweet dreams to prolong.
Bird of rare fine view,
Let a fairytale come true.
It was song about slings,
Which presenting flying wings.
Slings were all by Mokosh weaved
And idea was conceived –
“Wrapping is a handy art –
Keep your baby near heart.
You may always stay together
Go to walk, despite the weather.
Sleeping dust in wraps lets fly,
Hover, like birds, in the sky,
Baby, hugging their mom,
Is in comfort and stays calm.”
There was song by Syrin-bird,
By Mom-Princess it was heard.
In the very early morning
She left home without warning,
Searching for the Mokosh’s slings,
Which are giving flying wings.
She met Mokosh in a wood
(All that happens – it’s for good!)
And received a Syrin-sling –
Most desirable thing.
Kathy’s precious dream ’s come true
Tricky task is carried through.
She is happiest in the world
Now her wings are never furled!
She can fly, being wrapped by mom,
Under cheek – her little palm.
Syrin – is a woven art.
Keep your baby close to heart.
Written by and illustrated by
Eugenia Bozhedomova