Бесплатный фрагмент - The Carrot Stories

Chapter I. The Rain

Chaos is an immense oval coop, situated beneath the Universe. Three energetic chickens, phantoms of the Universe, move chaos and its prototype from one part of cultivated infinity to another. Thus, the Universe, chaos, cultivated and uncultivated infinity form the four levels of cosmic existence.

When a seed of life begins to evolve, it transforms into a cosmic island, composed of orange cells. The number of cells precisely corresponds to the number of countries that must emerge before the next seed starts to grow. A transparent sphere within each cell represents the soul of a particular country. Plants P and M, sprouting from a seed, are nothing more than the sum of localities – energetic ovals that generate lives for a country’s administrative units (regions, counties, provinces, etc.). Thus, the growth of these plants is the evolution of all beings living in a specific part of the country. The only way to expand a locality is to attract a vital egg to the administrative unit. The larger the egg, the better. Frequent egg delivery guarantees rapid development of economy and culture.

It’s important to note that according to Chicken philosophy, life (unlike fate) can only be collective. This means that all living beings (rational and irrational) inhabiting a certain administrative unit share one life. Periodically, each region receives a vital egg (a life) which becomes a source of power for all rational and irrational beings.

How do vital eggs come into existence?

First and foremost, life production is closely tied to music and boxing – two cosmic entertainment activities. Through political and socio-economic actions, each country plays its cosmic strings (H, G, L). The better its citizens fulfill their duties, the faster they reach their full potential (the louder the strings sound).

is sent to the corresponding administrative unit.

The opportunity for such a combination arises when the growth of P and M (evolution of rational and irrational beings) is projected onto three levels of cosmic being – the Universe, chaos, and uncultivated infinity. The purpose of this projection is not entertainment. The need to broadcast the growth of plants P and M is explained by the fact that only the power of evolution can transform a musical composition into a vital egg.

The second stage of transformation resembles an exciting journey. The musical composition slides down along the cosmic strings, which stretch from the hearts of life to the farthest island of cultivated infinity.

It must be noted that there is a direct relationship between the productivity of composers and the revolving of the nerves. The faster P and M dance, the more eggs they can attract, therefore increasing the power of the composer. He becomes able to create more musical compositions. In this regard, cultural and economic processes of a particular region can be considered an inspiring factor for a composer.

While ideas, dance, and colored lights give vital eggs power, boxing gradually depletes it. Two large chickens fight each other whenever the Universe wishes to watch an exciting show.

The conflict between the cosmic boxers empties vital eggs. In turn, emptying vital eggs causes fatigue in all living beings. It is a profound mistake to think that rational and irrational beings lose their strength because of mental and physical activity. Unlike vital eggs, the cosmic boxers are able to reproduce each other. Each pair of boxers appears when 10,248 vital eggs become empty.

***

Ideas have the capacity to love. They love those who think outside the box. Kuifen Ho, a music teacher from Hubei, was such a person. She lived and worked in a small village. One summer day, as she was resting in her house, a strong wind suddenly rose, and heavy clouds blanketed the sky. It began to rain cats and dogs.

“Our province must have received a new vital egg,” Kuifen thought. “That’s why the weather has taken a turn for the worse.”

The girl listened intently. It seemed to her that the rain sounded like music. The slate roof, iron gutter, and wooden walls served as musical instruments.

“It’s definitely a symphony,” Kuifen surmised. “I’ve never heard this composition before!”

The girl opened her piano and began playing what she heard. Then Kuifen wrote everything down in a music book.

“What if each vital egg brings the music it was born from?” Kuifen wondered. She shared this idea with Elder Lee, who advised her to write to the governor.

“Send the music book too,” said the elder. “As proof.”

A few days later, Kuifen received an answer. The governor thanked her for her interesting hypothesis. The official also wrote that the following week, Yunnan province would receive a new vital egg. Kuifen was kindly invited to listen to the rain there.

The girl had no objections. It was the summer holiday period, and a little trip seemed very appealing.

Upon arrival in Yunnan, the girl was met by two musicians – Gui and Da.

“We also want to listen to the rain,” explained Gui. “We liked the composition you sent.”

“The egg is coming tomorrow,” added Da.

Kuifen was glad to have helpers. The trio left the airport and headed to a small village.

The day after the vital egg’s arrival, Kuifen heard music again. As for Gui and Da, they heard nothing. The rain didn’t allow them to discern its essence.

“Not everyone can hear the music of the rain,” said Da. “Maybe you’re the only one.”

The girl realized that if she didn’t capture these musical compositions, they would be lost forever.

“I’d be happy to make a contribution to world culture,” said the girl.

Da and Gui promised Kuifen they would inform the governor of her willingness to capture the music of the rain.

Soon, Kuifen’s life changed radically. The Organization of Chicken Nations (CN) appointed her the official music copier. Venezuela, New Zealand, Vietnam, Ethiopia… These were the four countries the girl visited in the following year. Thanks to her efforts, music from cosmic composers resonated in the world’s finest concert halls.

Sometimes Kuifen attended these performances. Listening to the compositions, she often thought about their authors. Did they know that their music was being played on Earth? Did they approve of this? The girl wanted to meet at least one of them. However, living beings of the Universe can’t leave its borders. The only hope was to invite composers to Earth. Kuifen didn’t know if this was possible. There was no information about it.

***

Moscow, April 15th. The extraordinary session of the Organization of Chicken Nations was officially opened. The first order of business was the golden table of commandments, found in Russia, not far from Yekaterinburg.

Svetlana Ufimova, the Chairperson of CN, welcomed the delegates and switched on the enormous screen. The politicians were taken aback. They expected to see anything but this: Carrot Wanderer was standing by an olive tree. His white tunic and wooden sandals transported the spectators to the Greek era.

“Many centuries ago,” said the evolution inspector, “Plato and I developed two laws of commonwealth. We engraved them on the golden table and delivered them to Russia – the country which the Total Future considered a stronghold of Chicken philosophy. Now it’s time to submit these laws to the public.”

Saying this, Carrot Wanderer stated the two commandments engraved on the golden table.

They were as follows:

— If the culture and economy of any country are not developed, tension in its localities increases. High tension makes nerves (P and M) suffer. If the high pressure persists for a long time, it leads to the death of the nerves which, in turn, causes territorial losses (the country loses the region which the nerves represented);

— All rational beings must strive for harmony. Hard work and happiness not only attract the largest vital eggs, they also allow the Universe (its phantoms) to move to far distances.

The report raised a question.

“Why did the Total Future choose Russia as the ideal of the Chicken way of life?” asked one of the leaders.

“To understand this, I must tell you how cosmic being arose,” Carrot Wanderer replied, looking up. “This will be the final part of Chicken philosophy.”

The evolution inspector assumed an air of importance and continued: “Initially, infinity was wild. There were no cells, just as there was no Universe and no chaos. Then the Total Future sowed the first seed of life. The seed was placed into a special energetic sphere. The first P and M gave life to four thousand chicken-shaped bees. The bees called their country Russia. This is how the first country and the first living beings were created. As you see, it existed in space, not on a planet.”

“Were all the bees composers?” asked the president of France.

“Not all,” answered Carrot Wanderer. “They also included artists, writers, and sculptors.”

The evolution inspector argued that when the Total Future produced living planets, it was necessary to create a country which would embody the spirit of global creativity. It was decided to locate it on Earth and name it Russia. As for the energetic sphere of cosmic Russia, it acquired a standard size. All chicken-shaped bees were divided into quartets. Because music became the driving force of evolution, artists, writers, and sculptors were reoriented. They became tuners, guides, and guards.

When Carrot Wanderer finished, the leaders applauded him. Svetlana Ufimova switched off the screen and approached the microphone.

“The second point on our agenda is Miss Ho’s request,” said the Chairperson. “As you remember, our official copier made a proposal to organize a concert of cosmic composers. This offer was considered by the experts, and now I’m giving the floor to academician Igor Tarasov.”

The elderly, gray-haired man stepped up to the podium.

“First of all, we need to invite the composers,” said the academician. “To send a representative to them. However, until now, we didn’t have technologies capable of transferring us from one level of cosmic being to another.”

The leaders of nations lowered their eyes.

“But the situation is not so hopeless,” continued Mr. Tarasov. “Kuifen Ho, thanks to her extraordinary ability, might overcome this obstacle.”

There was a burst of applause.

“Let’s hope that Miss Ho doesn’t mind,” said Svetlana Ufimova when academician Tarasov took his seat.

In conclusion, the Chairperson proposed inviting two hundred and thirty-four composers, one from each country, to perform their finest compositions in the nation they represented.

“This music will help citizens better understand their culture,” Svetlana Ufimova explained. “What do you think?”

The national leaders unanimously supported this idea.

***

Kuifen felt no fear about leaving the Universe. On the contrary, the responsibility placed upon her was inspiring and empowering. The girl took pride in being the first person to make contact with the chicken-shaped bees.

Upon her arrival in Moscow, Kuifen was escorted to a secret facility. Carrot Wanderer and Academician Tarasov awaited her in a large, brightly lit room. To her surprise, the machine intended to transport her to the composers was nothing more than an ordinary wooden chair with a small red button on its right armrest.

“I was expecting something more like an aircraft,” Kuifen admitted.

Mr. Tarasov smiled. “This chair is merely the tip of the iceberg,” he explained. “There’s a highly complex mechanism in the adjacent room. Pressing this button will activate it.”

“May I see this mechanism?” the girl inquired curiously. “What does it look like?”

“Certainly,” replied the academician. He touched the wall separating the two rooms, and it slowly rose.

The machine consisted of two iron blocks connected by a transparent tube.

“This apparatus converts mirrors into a liquid state,” Carrot Wanderer elucidated. “We’ll use sensors to focus your attention on this process.”

“A liquid mirror absorbs souls,” Mr. Tarasov added. “It also transforms them into signals. You see, your journey isn’t for your physical body.”

“Why must my soul be turned into a signal?” Kuifen asked.

“There are no borders for signals,” Carrot Wanderer replied. “You’ll be able to visit all levels of cosmic being.”

“The signal form is quite convenient,” Mr. Tarasov explained. “You won’t have to visit two hundred cells one by one. You’ll be heard everywhere simultaneously.”

Kuifen inquired about which language she should use.

“You won’t need to speak,” Carrot Wanderer answered. “Just think.”

“It seems my journey won’t be very long,” the girl concluded. “How much time will I spend in space?”

“Just half an hour,” Mr. Tarasov replied. “That should suffice.”

“How will you bring me back from space?” Kuifen asked.

“When time runs out, your soul will automatically return to your body,” Carrot Wanderer explained. “If you wish to travel further… No problem… You can’t be late.”

Everything seemed clear to Kuifen now. The girl sat down on the chair and prepared for departure. Mr. Tarasov placed an iron helmet on her head. Kuifen took a deep breath and pressed the button. A second later, a buzzing sound emanated from the next room as the machine whirred to life. After a moment, the humming transformed into a gurgling noise.

“Do you hear the liquid mirror flowing through the tube?” Mr. Tarasov asked. “Only you can hear it.”

Kuifen nodded.

“Focus on this process,” the academician instructed. “Use your imagination.”

The girl closed her eyes and envisioned the flowing mirror.

“What do you see in the mirror?” Mr. Tarasov inquired.

“A starry sky,” Kuifen answered.

“That’s right,” said the academician. “Now imagine that you’re jumping into this stream.”

The girl complied with the request. Although Kuifen jumped only in her mind, she felt something thick envelop her body. She slowly opened her eyes. All she could see was the darkness of space. Mr. Tarasov and Carrot Wanderer were nowhere to be seen. Only an orange isle was visible in the distance.

“I’m at the third level of cosmic being,” Kuifen realized. Then she also found herself outside of her body.

“I’ve become a signal,” the girl thought. “I’m like a ghost!”

After a brief flight, Kuifen paused near a star. It was time to officially invite the composers to Earth.

***

The Universe enjoys traveling. It is often on the move. As its phantoms walk on the orange isles, they stretch the cells. This peculiar massage is part of the cultivation process. Sometimes the Universe shared its thoughts with the chicken-shaped bees, but generally, it didn’t show much interest in the cells. The Universe’s passion was cosmic entertainment. While the phantoms walked, the Universe amused itself.

Suddenly, the Universe heard a girl offering composers the opportunity to perform a concert on Earth.

“She has come!” the Universe thought. “I must speak with her!”

In an instant, the fourth and third levels of cosmic being were brought to Kuifen. The phantoms lowered chaos, and the Universe descended from it.

“I’m glad to see you,” said the girl. “You’re so powerful and immense.”

“I’ve been waiting for you,” said the Universe. “Like you and other living beings, I was created by the Total Future. Do you know why you can hear the rain?”

“No, I don’t,” Kuifen replied. “Why?”

“Because I am terribly bored,” answered the Universe. “All I can do is listen to music and watch boxing, but I’ve grown weary of it. I want to be a participant… a participant in entertainment activities. The Total Future chose you to help me with this. Your talent became a ticket to another level of cosmic being.”

“Do you want me to play with you?” asked Kuifen.

“Yes, that’s right,” answered the Universe. “But it will be an unusual game.”

The Universe shared its plan with the girl. Kuifen agreed to help. After conversing a bit more, the Universe and the girl parted ways. Kuifen returned to Earth. She told no one about her encounter with the Universe.

Chapter II. Mischief

Despite the late hour, Mr. Tarasov and Carrot Wanderer were in no hurry to leave the secret facility. That day, a large group of cosmic composers had arrived at Bangkok’s Intergalactic Airport. They came without prior arrangement. Everything appeared as if it were a regular passenger flight.

“These bees can go anywhere,” Mr. Tarasov remarked, glancing at the machine with its partition. “Why haven’t they visited the Universe before?”

“Perhaps they’re not interested in our world,” Carrot Wanderer suggested. “Their environment is infinity.”

The evolution inspector wanted to elaborate on his thought, but a phone call interrupted him. Mr. Tarasov picked up the receiver. Svetlana Ufimova, the Chairperson of CN, was on the other end of the line.

“I need a thorough explanation,” Svetlana Ufimova demanded. “Residents of Russia and China are seeing something strange in the sky.”

“What’s happened?” asked the academician, feeling uneasy.

“It’s night, isn’t it?” asked the woman.

“Yes, it is,” the academician replied absently.

“We see the moon at night, don’t we?” Ufimova continued.

“Yes, we do,” agreed Mr. Tarasov.

“But now we see three white chickens holding a huge oval,” said the Chairperson. “There are also orange cells. What is this? Is it a new design for the night sky? Has your machine altered the structure of cosmic being?”

Mr. Tarasov was shocked by this news.

“I want you and Carrot Wanderer to investigate immediately,” the woman said and hung up.

The academician went to the window and drew back the curtains. A few seconds later, he was lying on the floor unconscious.

Unlike Mr. Tarasov, Carrot Wanderer managed to stay on his feet.

“Why don’t I know anything about this?” the evolution inspector thought. “The Universe is absent. What’s going on?”

Carrot Wanderer realized that this unusual sight could cause people to panic. He revived Mr. Tarasov, and then they hurried to the mobile house. It was imperative to find the Universe.

“The Universe has never been frivolous,” said Carrot Wanderer. “It must feel responsible for its actions!”

The evolution inspector pressed a button, and a holographic screen appeared before him.

The sight that greeted Carrot Wanderer and Academician Tarasov left them stunned. Russia and China had been transported to the first level of cosmic being. A small yellow dot hovered above the countries – an autonomous sun, specially created by the Universe.

“The Universe must be either in Russia or China,” Tarasov reasoned. “That’s why it extracted them from itself. The Universe has likely shrunk and is now traveling as an ordinary tourist.”

This theory seemed quite plausible.

“I’ll have to go alone,” Carrot Wanderer declared. “I can’t put you in danger.”

“I understand,” the academician replied. “If you need help, just let me know.”

Carrot Wanderer and Mr. Tarasov embraced and bid each other farewell.

***

The visit of the cosmic composers had greatly enriched world culture. Spectators were amazed to see that a single chicken-shaped bee could play several instruments simultaneously. The instruments had no earthly equivalents, and the sounds they produced were utterly unique and deeply affecting. All the performances were recorded for posterity.

After the concert, each composer was given a tour of the city where they had played. These excursions were quite unusual. It turned out that the chicken-shaped bees could effortlessly understand and speak any language. On the other hand, no one ever heard the composers’ native speech. Their language was based on telepathy.

“Beijing is a marvelous city,” composer Rauf remarked to Kuifen. “Your tour was very informative. I hardly noticed the evening drawing in.”

“If we had more time, I’d show you other Chinese cities,” Kuifen replied. “They’re no less fascinating.”

“Many people are looking at the sky with anxiety,” Rauf observed. “It seems they’ve never seen our orange cells before.”