"Craig Shaw Gardner - Wuntvor 02 - An Excess Of Enchantments" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gardner Craig Shaw)

did not despair, for he was young and his heart was pure. The weeks
became months, and still Wuntvor traveled on, for, although the sun
seemed no closer than when he started, he knew that if he but tried
hard enough and long enough, he would reach his goal.

Still, the way was long and tiring, with hills and mountains to climb
and rivers and oceans to cross. Even one as young and pure of heart
as Wuntvor found himself doubting the wisdom of his journey from time
to time. So it was on a particular evening, when the sun had
journeyed all the way from its home in the east to its resting place
in the west. Wuntvor was weary from his day's march, and decided to
camp in a secluded glen by the side of a babbling brook. He spread
out his bedroll and ate a meagre meal of bread and cheese, listening
to the night-birds overhead.
"Alas," he said at last, more to himself than to the birds. "Will I
never find the home of the sun?"

And a voice answered him:

"Why ever would you want to do that?"

Wuntvor started, realizing that the voice came from a small man who
stood by his knee. After he caught his breath, Wuntvor answered:

"It is what I have always dreamed of. It is my heart's desire."

"Really?" said the small man, who was dressed all in brown and
sported a pair of translucent brown wings. "Well then, you have come
to the right place."

"And just what place have I come to?" Wuntvor inquired.

"Why," the little fellow said with a big smile, "you have come to f-
f-fairyland--" He had quite some difficulty pronouncing the word, "--
of course."

"Of course," Wuntvor agreed. "And if this is fairyland, who are you?"

"Why, I am--" The little fellow paused and frowned. "If this is f-f-
f-fair-fairyland--" The fellow paused again. His face

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had turned a bright blue. He took a breath and resumed his speech.
"If this is--uh--that place, then I must be a f-f--" His two tiny
fists shot into the air. "I am no such thing. I am a Brownie! And
proud of it! More than proud! In smallness there is greatness!
Brownies forever!"

Wuntvor blinked. Something was wrong here. An old lady stormed down