Money like wealth ruins many.

Story and illustrations, Irinia, Lyceum NSTU, Novosibirsk, Russia

This story happened in a magic forest, with magic inhabitants but not, alas, magic problems.Two friends lived there: Leprechaun and Elf. They were so closed that couldn’t live without each other.

One summer day two green friends were sitting under the shelter of a large mushroom. We can’t say they were really green, but everything around was bright green: trees, grass, bushes. And they also felt a bit “green”. Talking to Elf and smoking his pipe Leprechaun was dreaming at the same time. …He is slowly running to the pond with beautiful mermaids. Many, many mermaids. And they are bringing him a large pot with gold. But it was only a dream and at that moment nothing was more pleasant than talking to his dear friend Elf and smoking the pipe.

Time flies fast and soon it became dark-the time to go home. Having told good bye to a friend Leprechaun left. But maybe he was too tired or probably began dreaming again; he didn’t noticed how he had lost his way. But what was it??? In the middle of a forest glade he saw a large sack with gold! Could it be true? First Leprechaun couldn’t believe his eyes! Maybe it was a dream?

But no, he came up and touched the sack; it was real and full of gold. Leprechaun was fetching the contents of sack to his home for the whole night. Now house was full of gold. Gold was everywhere: on the floor, bed, oven and even in flower pots. Leprechaun was happy.

Early in the morning Elf came to know if his friend was OK. But Leprechaun didn’t let him in. He decided not to share his happiness with his poor friend. And from that day some change occurred in Leprechaun Pleasant talks with friend didn’t attract him anymore; he began to feel ashamed of his friend. Now he spent time only with new rich friends and was admitted to their houses. He became very rude and greedy. And people began to speak of him: “Money like wealth ruins many”