Vegetable heroes: the saga of CartoFan. Funny stories

Chapter 2: Curse and betrayal

When the first rays of the morning sun illuminated the square, the king’s advisor, Melon, standing majestically on a dais, loudly proclaimed a new decree:

«Attention, attention, attention! The one who delivers the rebel and traitor KartoFan to the royal throne, safe and sound, will be given a reward – a thousand shiny gold coins!»

Shouts of surprise and greed flared up from the crowd like sparks from a fire.

Tomato Grinya, having heard this news, flashed like a shadow through the narrow alleys, trying not to catch the eyes of the curious. CartoFan settled in a cozy dugout on the very outskirts of the city, where his presence went unnoticed. Grinya knocked on the door in a special way: one confident knock, followed by two barely audible ones. This was a signal that a friend had arrived.

– Hello, CartoFan, did something unexpected happen? – Grinya asked with concern in his voice.

– I was just in the square and learned about the tsar’s new decree. They promise a whole bunch of gold for your head! – Grinya said, barely catching his breath.

CartoFan just grinned in response: – Well, that means that I still have to live in this world.

– Don’t rejoice ahead of time. Now all and sundry will chase you. You should be extremely careful, – warned Grinya.

– Do not worry about me. After all, if we stick together, we are invincible, -CartoFan answered confidently.

– Gather everyone. It’s time to decide how to proceed, – called CartoFan.

An hour later everyone gathered together.

– The time has come to strike at King Pumpkin’s most vulnerable spots. We need to organize an action that will strengthen the people’s faith in us, – said KartoFan.

– Yesterday I accidentally overheard a conversation from which it became known that the day after tomorrow is the Tsar’s birthday, and five barrels of overseas wine will be brought to our city. Maybe we should intercept them? – suggested Rita.

– Interesting idea, but we need to gather more information. Tik, you will do this, – CartoFan ordered.

– As you say, boss! – Tick exclaimed.

– How many times should I repeat: don’t call me boss! I’m not your boss, not your foreman, and certainly not the Pope. Understood? – KartoFan asked sternly.

– Got it, – Tick nodded obediently.

– Rita, I instruct you to create leaflets so that tomorrow Taya distributes them at the market and other places. Let it be written like this:

– Dear friends! We fight for your rights and freedoms, for equality, and not for a miserable existence. Let King Pumpkin give way, otherwise the time will come when we will overthrow him! Taya, be careful so that you don’t have to be pulled out of prison later, – CartoFan added with a smile.

The next day Tick brought news:

– Two carriages drawn by rats, with two attendants and three squash guards, are carrying barrels of wine. They should arrive this evening.

– So we have two more hours to prepare. What proposals will there be? – asked CartoFan.

– They will drive through the forest, which plays into our hands. We’ll set up an ambush. When the carriages arrive, we will attack them from both sides and take the wine, – Taya suggested.

– Great, but first we need to stop the carriages. Of all of us, only I can shoot well, – noted KartoFan.

– I’ll lie down on the road, pretending to be wounded, so they’ll stop, -Taya suggested.

– And Rita will make your face red to convince them that you’re injured, – CartoFan added.

Meanwhile, in the palace of King Pumpkin:

– Have you invited overseas guests?» – the king inquired.

– Yes, Your Majesty. Among the guests are King Watermelon from Uzbekistan, Queen Pear from Bulgaria, Prince Orange from Turkey and your cousin, Mr. Banana from Africa, – the adviser reported.

– What will the stars say to this, Mr. Astrologer? – asked the king.

– Your Majesty, the stars advise postponing this celebration. Unfavorable changes are planned in your astrological chart, – answered the astrologer Kapusta.

– What insolence! Tomorrow is my birthday, and you’re suggesting we cancel the visiting guests of honor? Send this idiot to a punishment cell for a day, let him cool down, – the king exploded.

– Perhaps we should listen to his words, Your Majesty? He is our best astrologer and has never made a mistake, – the adviser said

Chapter 3: Conspiracy in the Shadows of the Forest

As soon as the evening shadows began to envelop the forest, CartoFan and his brave companions were already in place, preparing for the upcoming conspiracy. Everyone except Rita, who remained to manage the household, like the last guardian of the hearth.

Hidden in the thickets, the twin cucumbers and Grinya lurk on one side, and on the other are KartoFan and Tik, the embodiment of cunning and ingenuity. They set up an ambush, and Taya, like a shadow ghost, had already taken her place, waiting for the signal.

Tomato, always a reliable scout, went on reconnaissance. Returning, he said breathlessly:

– They are approaching!

Taya, light and unnoticeable, like a leaf in the wind, settled down on the road, where her silhouette merged with the darkness, and began to wait.

Meanwhile, on the first carriage, two carrots behaved carefree, singing their song:

We all love the king,

because he’s bad

in short,

he drinks wine by the river,

and we’re taking him to him

overseas wine

him and you together

I have to try it

Having finished their musical performance, one of the carrots began to hiccup, and the other, peering at the road, noticed something unusual: