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Gorynych, as Koschei suspected, was rather pretending than really sick. It was clear that he liked the girl's attention a lot. She carefully tied a whole cloth around his neck, which looked like a small bib on him, and gave him a mug with brew. She even saw that he drank it all, constantly telling something. Notable, usually Gorynych went into dramatics, demanding a sweeter and tastier medicine, but now he was drinking the brew without any complaints, only twisting his mouth occasionally.

Koschei was struck with wonder to see what little girl’s care made with his powerful friend. What a vague and strange feeling, Koschei thought, hunching his back even harder, which was crooked under the weight of pain and offences.

– I wish I could enjoy this life like Gorynych… – he murmured sadly, looking at Gorynych and Hope who had already made friends.

The girl herself couldn’t believe that she got over her fear and believed that this wasn’t a dream so quickly. So, maybe, the one who says that miracles never happen just wants to see them much more than others?...

Koschei couldn't comprehend what to do with this uninvited guest, which excited the whole house and never even noticed the owner’s sullenness and anger. And it was always the first thing others noticed in him. He got used to it, and he even liked it. And then he, unexpectedly for himself, decided that he should find out more about her and only then think what to do.

«Maybe, – Koschei thought, – I’ll send her to Baba Yaga. For sure, she’ll get a handle on this wacky girl…».

For some half an hour Gorynych had turned into a pet puppy from a terrible Zmey, ready to eat anything from the hands of his young «doctor» as long as she babysited him. 

That's why he was so angry, Koschei realized. His friend just didn’t have enough attention and kindness. And what’s more – the pain made him a bit angrier than he really was. But is it right to encourage such behavior or should he undertake the re-education? Is he allowed to re-educate another? Yet, what is better: to give the paunched Gorynych his favorite delicacy to save both their nerves, or forbid it categorically and take care of his health? But then he’ll get into a fuss. And could it be not that bad to monitor his moderate consumption of sweets?..