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Scene 1 · Intermediate
Злая мачеха
The wicked stepmother
Russian
Далеко, в стране, куда ласточки улетают на зиму, жил король. У него было одиннадцать сыновей и одна дочь, Элиза. Принцы ходили в школу со звёздами на груди и шпагами у пояса. Они писали алмазными карандашами на золотых дощечках, быстро учились и прекрасно читали. Сразу было видно, что это королевские дети.
English translation
Far away, in the land where the swallows fly for the winter, there lived a king. He had eleven sons and one daughter, Elisa. The princes went to school with stars on their chests and swords at their sides. They wrote with diamond pencils on golden tablets, learned quickly, and read beautifully. Anyone could see at once that they were royal children.
Russian
Элиза сидела на маленьком стульчике из зеркального стекла и рассматривала книгу с картинками, за которую можно было купить половину королевства.
English translation
Elisa sat on a little chair made of mirrored glass, looking at a picture book worth half a kingdom.
Russian
Дети жили счастливо, пока их отец не женился на злой королеве. Новая мачеха совсем их не любила, и они почувствовали это уже на следующий день после свадьбы. Во дворце продолжался праздник, а дети играли, будто принимают гостей. Обычно им отдавали оставшиеся пирожные и яблоки. На этот раз королева насыпала в чайную чашку песка и велела представить, что перед ними пирог.
English translation
The children lived happily until their father married a wicked queen. Their new stepmother did not love them at all, and they felt it the very day after the wedding. The festivities continued at the palace, while the children played at receiving guests. They were usually given the leftover cakes and apples. This time the queen poured sand into a teacup and told them to pretend it was a pie.
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