Mara the Kikimora and the Secrets of the Old House

In an old house on the edge of the village lived a Kikimora named Mara. She was a small spirit with long, tangled hair, sharp eyes, and tiny hands that could find any lost item in an instant or hide it so well that no one would ever find it again. Mara had lived in this house for many years, ever since the days of the old owners, and she considered it her own.

Mara was a Kikimora who could be both kind and mischievous. Her mood changed as quickly as the wind outside the windows of the house. Sometimes, she helped the owners, showing them where to find their keys, sweeping dust out of the corners, and leaving hints for the children on how to solve their small problems. But sometimes, especially if she felt disrespected, Mara could be rather troublesome.

The old house was her kingdom, and none of the residents could change that. Mara knew every creaky floorboard, every crack in the walls, and every lost button. Her long nights were spent observing the house. She prowled through the dark corners, gently rustling the cobwebs and watching as the household fell asleep.

One day, a new family moved into the house. They were young people with a small child. Mara watched with suspicion as they settled into “her” house. They seemed unfamiliar with the house’s rules. They left doors open, laughed loudly in the evenings, and showed little respect for her space. Mara was displeased, and soon began to play small tricks on them.

First, she hid their keys. One morning, the family woke up to find their belongings scattered on the floor. The little boy began to cry when he saw that his toys had disappeared, and his mother said, “It seems there’s a Kikimora in this house.” She knew the old tales about house spirits who sometimes play tricks if they aren’t happy with new company.

From that day on, Mara became more careful but continued watching the family. She saw the mother preparing dinner for her family every evening, the father fixing the creaky floors, and the little boy playing with imaginary friends and sometimes speaking to the empty air. One day, Mara overheard him whisper, “Kikimora, please don’t be mad at us. We want to be friends!”

These words surprised Mara. No one had ever spoken to her so directly before. She became curious and decided to help. The next morning, the boy found his toy that he had lost many days ago. Mara decided that, if treated with respect, she would be a friend to this family.

From that day on, things began to change in the house. Mara helped the mother with cleaning and also protected their home from dark spirits and misfortunes that sometimes came from outside. When the wind howled at the windows during a storm, Mara would rush through the house, making sure all the windows were shut and the doors stayed closed against the gusts.

Months passed, and the family began to feel the warmth and coziness that Mara brought to the house. She no longer hid their belongings or caused any trouble. One day, when an old aunt visited the family, she noticed that something had changed in the house. “A kind spirit lives here, I can feel it,” she said, bowing slightly as a sign of respect to the Kikimora.

These words touched Mara. She realized that her role in this house was more than just playing tricks. She was the protector of the house and family, and this understanding brought her peace. Now, she watched over everyone with joy, guarding them from harm and helping whenever needed. She became not just a spirit, but a true member of their family.

Moral: True kindness and loyalty come when others see not a threat but a friend and protector in us.