«What can happen to us? We can die here! What you (think) about?»
«I (be) hungry,» (say) Zerbino, «I (want) some oranges and grapes.»
That very moment a large basket with oranges and grapes (appear) from under his feet.
«Oh, now I (know) your secret,» (think) Mistigris.
«Senior Zerbino,» he (say), «you (not/think) of making the Princess a present?»
«A present?» Zerbino (be) surprised. «Where can I get it? On the sea floor? Go there if you (want) to and leave me alone!»
Mistigris immediately (go) underwater with a loud splash.
Zerbino and Alelie (sit) on the deck (eat) the grapes when they (hear) some noise. The water overboard (bubble).
«It (be) a sea pig?» (ask) Alelie.
«No, a land one,» (answer) Zerbino.
He (take) the Minister out of the water, and they (see) a strange thing: a big diamond (shine) in his teeth.
5
Two days (pass). The ship (sail). Where to? They (not/know).
«I must do something about it,» (think) Mistigris. «Ah, senior,» he (say), «you (see) that beautiful palace? It (not/be) like any palace in the world. Invisibles (work) in it. The tables (have) hands, and the walls (have) ears there. They can talk, but only when you (ask) them to.
«I would like to have such palace,» (say) Zerbino.
And they (see) it right in front of them – big, beautiful and welcoming.
«You (like) it?» (ask) the Minister, «it (be) me who (do) all this!»
«You (lie)!» (say) the voice from above.
«You (lie)!» (cry) all the walls.
«You (lie)!» (shout) the chairs, tables, plates and glasses.
«Well, if you (lie) all the time, go to the moon. People (say), there (be) a country of liars there.»
In no time Mistigris (fly) into the air and (disappear) behind the clouds.
Zerbino and Alelie (live) happily in the beautiful palace that Fairy of Waters (present) them. Zerbino (fall) in love with Alelie, because he (want) to – this wish (come) true like many others.
Mistigris (return) to Earth? Nobody (know). Some historians (say) that he (work) as a minister again, under a different name. But he never (go) where people (tell) the truth.
Answer the questions:
1. What happened to Zerbino one day when he was working in the forest?
2. How did Fairy of Waters thank Zerbino for saving her?
3. Who did he see on the balcony of the Royal Palace? Why did Alelie fall in love with him so suddenly?
4. What did the Princess’s father do when she told him who she fell in love with?
5. How did Zerbino get rid of the Minister?
