The Extraordinary Adventures of Karik and Valya

By Tatiana Glasko

The Extraordinary Adventures of Karik and Valya make Gulliver's Travels pale in comparison. Two children and a college professor turn Lilliputian in size and enter an exciting and dangerous world of insects.

They fight fierce predators, escape an underwater prison, sail turbulent waters and fly on a bumblebee. The brave explorers need to use their knowledge of entomology to overcome obstacles and find their way home.

This book is a rare combination of action-packed adventure with serious science.

The original Russian-language publication rolled off the press in 1937 and, after numerous new editions and millions of copies sold, remains one of the most popular books for children in Eastern Europe. This translation makes it available to English-speaking audiences.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tatiana Glasko
• Release date: Oct 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386069140

Book preview

Chapter 1: An unpleasant conversation with Granny – Mother is worried – Jack follows the trail – A strange discovery in Professor’s study – The mysterious disappearance of Professor Enotov

MOTHER SPREAD A BIG white tablecloth on a dinner table. Granny set the table with plates, knives, and forks.

Lunch is ready, sighed Granny, and the kids are nowhere to be seen. Where are they? When I was a little girl...

They did not even have breakfast, complained Mother. She went to the window, and looking down into the yard, called, Ka-a-a-ri-ik! Va-alya! Lu-unch!

I don’t believe they are hurrying home. You are calling, and the children are probably playing some parachute games. You are waiting for them with lunch, but they may be in need of an ambulance!

What parachute games, what ambulance? asked Mother, frightened.

Well, Granny took a ball of yarn out of her apron pocket. She picked up her needles and an unfinished wool sock. Her shining needles moved quickly, pulling the thread from the skein. 

An ambulance came yesterday for Valerik.

Which Valerik?

We only have one in our neighborhood, the son of the Superintendent. He came up with a brilliant plan: to use an old umbrella as a parachute and jump from the second story balcony.

And what happened?

Nothing. The boy’s pants got caught on a drain pipe, and he was hanging upside down until an ambulance came. The doctor was angry. He said that we should have called the fire department instead. Well, they untangled the rascal, and he was just laughing, I created a world record for longest parachute jumps!  Kids nowadays are spoiled. When I was a little girl...

Oh, said Mother, where are they, really?

There is also this boy Antej on our street. First, he was building a subway with some friends, then a submarine. Well, their subway collapsed and buried everybody. Good thing the janitor noticed and dug them up. Do you think it taught them a lesson? Not at all! They constructed a submarine from an old barrel and some empty boxes. If not for a policeman who happened nearby, they would have drowned! And this is not all. Soon afterward, they invented a space travel game: they bent the young tree, two of them held on to the branches and the rest...

No, no! Mother raised her hands, please! I don’t want to hear anymore!

She went back to the window and called, Karik! Valya!

When I was a little girl... said Granny.

Mother tried to call again, then asked, Didn't they tell you where they were going?

Granny bit her lip angrily.

When I was a little girl, she announced, I always said where I was going, but  nowadays... She straightened the tablecloth, frowning. Nowadays they just do as they like. If they take a fancy, they’ll go off to the North Pole, or to the South Pole. Only yesterday they announced on the radio...

What did they announce? asked Mother hastily.

Oh, nothing! Just that some boy has drowned. At least that was what they said.

Mother shuddered.

That’s all nonsense, she said, moving away from the windowsill. Karik and Valya would not go swimming!

I don’t know, I don’t know! Granny shook her head. They should have been here a long time ago, and there is no sign of them. They ran off early and didn’t have anything to eat this morning.

Mother touched her face, and without another word went out of the dining room.

When I was a little girl... sighed Granny, but what Granny did when she was a little girl Mother never had a chance to learn: she was already standing in the yard, squinting in the bright sunlight, and looking in all directions. In a sandbox, she saw Valya’s green scoop with the bent handle, and next to it Karik’s faded cap. No sign of the children. Right there on a pile of sand, lazily sunbathing was the big red cat Anyuta. He wrinkled his forehead and stretched out his paws as if presenting them to Mother.

Where are they, Anyuta?

The cat yawned, looked at Mother with one eye, and turned on his back.

Where could they have gone? Where are they?

She went across the yard, checked the laundry room and glanced into the cellar where the firewood was stacked. But Karik and Valya were not there.

Ka-a-ri-ik! she called once again. There was no reply. Va-a-l-ya! Mother cried out.

Wough-ough, woof! sounded somewhere near. A big German Shepherd jumped out into the yard dragging his leash behind. With one leap he was in the sandbox, rolling around, with the sand flying in all directions; then got up, shook off the dust and with a loud barking turned to Mother. She quickly moved away.

Stop! No! Back off! she waved her hands at the dog.

Down, Jack! Heel! came a loud command from the doorway. A fat man walked into the yard, holding a cigarette, and wearing flip-flops. It was the photographer Schmidt from the fourth floor.

What is going on, Jack? asked the fat man. The dog wagged his tail.

What a silly dog! laughed the photographer. Pretending to yawn, Jack walked to his master, sat down and scratched his neck with his hind leg.

Nice weather today! smiled the fat man. Are you going to your dacha? What a great day for fishing or mushroom hunting!

Mother looked at the photographer, then at Jack and said unhappily, You have let your dog out again, Comrade Schmidt, without putting his muzzle on. He is going to bite somebody one of these days...

Who, Jack? said the fat man, in genuine surprise. How could you think such a thing? My Jack would never harm anyone. He is as gentle as a dove. Would you like to pet him? Mother waved him away.

You think I have nothing else to do but to play with dogs! At home, lunch is getting cold, the house is not cleaned, and here I am, unable to find the children. Ka-a-ri-ik! Va-a-a-l-ya! she called once more.

What if you pet Jack and ask him to go find Karik and Valya? He’ll do it right away! Schmidt leaned down to his dog and rubbed his neck. You’ll find them, Jack? You are such a good boy!

Jack whimpered quietly and unexpectedly jumped up, licking the photographer in the lips. The fat man staggered back, spat out and wiped his mouth with a sleeve. Mother laughed.

Don’t laugh, said Schmidt with emphasis, he is a hound. He follows the scent of a human being relentlessly, like a train running on rails. Would you like me to prove it?

I believe you! said Mother.

No, no! the fat man was getting agitated. I can easily demonstrate the truth of my words! If you can give me something belonging to Karik or Valya: a toy, a shirt, a hat. It does not matter what...

Mother shrugged her shoulders, but nevertheless, picked up the scoop and cap and handed them to Schmidt.

Perfect! Just what I need! said Schmidt, and offered the cap to his dog to smell. Well, Jack, he ordered, show us your talents! Go get them, boy! 

Jack yelped, lowered his head to the ground and, keeping his tail up, circled the yard several times. The photographer followed along. Getting close to the cat Anyuta, Jack stopped. His nose was inches away from his enemy. The cat jumped up, bent himself into a bow and flashing his green eyes hissed like a snake. Jack bared his teeth. The cat puffed up and slapped Jack with his paw; the poor dog yelped with pain but did not stop his attack. Anyuta hissed again and lifted his paw in warning, Better go away or else!

Jack, enough, said the photographer, frowning no distractions! and he pulled the leash so hard, that the dog was forced to sit down.

Go find them! he ordered. Barking at his opponent one last time, Jack followed his master. He circled around the whole yard and stopped by the drain pipe sniffing the air, and looking at his master.

I get it, I get it, Jack! said the photographer, nodding. They were here, maybe playing with the cat. I need to know where did they go from here. Look for them, Jack!

Jack wagged his tail, turned around several times, scraped the dirt under the pipe and then dashed toward the main entrance to the apartment building, barking loudly.

Aha, you see! He’s following the scent! exclaimed Schmidt, and with his sandals shuffling on the ground, he trotted after the dog.

If you do find my kids, please send them home! asked Mother and walked out of the yard. I think they are in one of the neighboring courtyards, she thought to herself, and not paying any more attention to the photographer, walked out of the gate.

STRETCHING HIS LEASH, Jack pulled his master up a staircase.

Slow down! Wait! puffed the fat man, trying hard to keep up with the dog. When they reached the fifth floor, Jack stopped, looked at Schmidt, and with a bark jumped at a tufted door, wrapped in oilcloth. The door had a white enameled sign with the inscription: Professor Ivan Hermogenovich Enotov

Underneath was pinned a note: The bell does not work. Please knock. With a loud yelp, Jack jumped up, scratching at the oilcloth, covering the door.

Down, Jack! ordered the fat man. It says knock, not yelp. The photographer Schmidt ran a hand through his hair, carefully wiped the sweat off his face and then knocked at the door. There were shuffling steps, and the lock clicked. The door opened, revealing a face with shaggy grey eyebrows and a yellowish white beard.

Are you looking for me?

Excuse me, Professor, said the photographer in some confusion, I only wanted to ask you...

Schmidt did not even have time to finish before Jack tore the leash out of his hand and ran inside, almost knocking the professor down.

Come back! Jack! Heel! shouted Schmidt. But Jack was already somewhere at the end of the hall.

I am sorry, Professor, Jack is just a puppy. If you let me come in, I’ll get hold of him.

Yes, yes... of course, replied the professor, absent-mindedly, letting Schmidt in.

Come in, please. I hope your dog does not bite! 

Oh, almost never, replied Schmidt. The photographer stepped inside, closed the door and said quietly, I am so sorry to bother you! It would only take a minute. I am looking for Karik and Valya, the children from the second floor...

Wait a minute! Karik and Valya? Yes, of course, I know them well. Very nice children. Polite and curious...

Are they here?

No, they haven’t been here today.

Very odd! murmured the photographer. Jack was hot on their trail...

But maybe it is yesterday’s trail? politely suggested the professor. Schmidt did not have a chance to reply. In the room down the corridor, Jack was barking loudly, then something rattled and made a crashing sound as if a cupboard or a table laden with dishes had fallen down. The professor shuddered.

He will ruin everything! he exclaimed nervously and, grabbing Schmidt by the sleeve, pulled him along the dark passage.

Follow me! he muttered, pushing a door open. As soon as the professor and photographer entered the room, Jack jumped at his master with a yelp and then dashed back with a loud bark. He was running around, dragging the leash behind, sniffing bookshelves, jumping on leather chairs, circling under the table and showing all signs of incredible excitement. Tubes and retorts covering the table were jumping and jingling, tall glasses swayed, and thin glass vessels vibrated. The microscope swung dangerously, flashing in the sun. The professor barely rescued it. But in doing so, he caught with his sleeve shiny pans of some complicated weights. The weights fell and rolled over the parquet floor, jingling and clinking.

So, Jack? said photographer grimly. You are a nuisance! Barking for no reason. Where are the children? 

Jack cocked his head to one side. He raised his ears and looked at his master, unsure what was wrong. The photographer shook his head in dismay.

Shame on you, Jack! What kind of a hound are you? What is the use of your diploma? All you can do is to chase cats instead of following a trail. Well, let’s go home! Please, forgive us for the inconvenience, Comrade Professor!

The photographer bowed awkwardly and stepped towards the door. But then Jack seemed to lose his mind. He grabbed his master’s pants and, pawing against the slippery parquet floor, dragged him to the table.

What is wrong with you? complained the photographer in amazement. Squealing, Jack started running around the table again and then jumped on the sofa, which stood in front of an open window. Putting his paws on the windowsill, he barked. Schmidt got angry.

Heel! he shouted and grabbed Jack’s collar, but the dog wriggled free and again jumped on the sofa.

I can’t understand him! The photographer shrugged his shoulders.

Maybe there is a mouse behind the sofa! the professor offered.

It could also be a crust of bread or a piece of bone. I often have my dinners here. He went up to the sofa and pulled it away from the wall. Something made a rustling noise and softly fell on the floor.

A piece of crust! said the professor. Jack lunged forward. He squeezed himself between the wall and the sofa, twisted his tail and grabbed something with his teeth.

What is it? Show us! ordered Schmidt. Jack backed out, turned to his master, and put down at his feet a child’s sandal. It looked old and threadbare. The photographer turned it in his hands in confusion.

Apparently some sort of a child’s shoe...

H’mm...strange! said the professor, examining it. Very strange!

While they were busy with this discovery, Jack pulled out from behind the sofa three more sandals: one identical to the first and two smaller ones. The professor and his guest looked at one another in bewilderment. Schmidt knocked the sole of one sandal with his knuckle, and said for no apparent reason, Strong enough! They’re good sandals!

Meanwhile, Jack has pulled out from under the sofa a pair of blue shorts and, keeping them down with his paws, barked softly.

What’s that? The professor was utterly lost. He bent down and tried to take the shorts, but Jack scowled and growled in such a manner that Ivan Hermogenovich very quickly withdrew his hand.

He is not very friendly, to be sure! said the professor with some embarrassment.

Politeness is not one of his virtues, nodded Schmidt. He picked up the shorts, shook them, folded carefully, and handed his find to the professor.

Here you are.

The professor looked at Jack.

No, it’s fine. I can see everything. Well, well... here are the markings V and K. Valya and Karik! He touched big white letters embroidered on the belts of the shorts.

The fat man wiped his face with his hand.

Is there a bathtub in the apartment? he asked abruptly.

No, replied Ivan Hermogenovich, there is no bathtub. But if you want to wash your hands, there’s...

Oh, no, replied the photographer, I can do it at home. I thought they might have been bathing. Do you see what I mean?

Certainly, the professor nodded his head. However, not really.

You see, if they took off their shorts, they probably decided to take a bath. What else can they do without shorts and sandals? I can’t understand it! Schmidt shrugged his shoulders.

He rocked back and forth on his heels, put his hands behind his back and, lowering his head, looked at the yellow squares of the parquet for a long time, then straightened up and said with confidence, No problem! We’ll find them! They’re here, Professor! They’re just hiding! Rest assured! My Jack is never wrong.

The professor and photographer walked around all the rooms, looked into the kitchen and even inspected the closet. Jack sadly followed them. In the dining room, the photographer opened the cupboard doors and checked under the table. They walked in the bedroom and looked around under the bed. But the children were not in the apartment.

Where can they be? muttered Schmidt.

I think, said the professor, they have not been here today.

You think? asked Schmidt thoughtfully. You think they have not been here? But what do you think, Jack? Are they here or not? Jack barked.

Here? Jack barked again.

Well, go find them! Go find them, good dog!

Jack immediately cheered up. He rushed back and again led the professor and Schmidt into the office. Then he jumped on the windowsill with a loud bark, as if convincing his master that the children found their way out of the apartment through the window. Schmidt lost his patience.

What’s wrong with you today, Jack? Do you think that the children jumped into the courtyard from the fifth floor? Or you think that they flew away like flies or dragonflies?

The professor quickly turned to the photographer and grabbed his hand.

What? Flew away? What dragonfly? The photographer smiled sheepishly.

Well, that is what Jack thinks! Ivan Hermogenovich turned pale.

It is horrible! he whispered. The photographer looked at him with concern and asked, Are you unwell? Please, have some water! He moved to the table where stood a jar of water, but suddenly the professor screamed as if he stepped on red-hot iron with bare feet.

Stop! Stop! Do not move!

The photographer, now really frightened, froze. The professor reached out, grabbed a glass of colorless liquid from the table, and quickly looked through it at the light. Then he hastily snatched from his pocket a large magnifying glass with a black horn handle.

Do not move! He shouted to Schmidt, Please do not move! And keep the dog with you! Better yet hold him in your arms! Please!

The frightened fat man looked at the professor, and without asking him anything else, grabbed the dog, pressing it tightly to his stomach. The old man has gone crazy, he thought.

Stay this way! ordered Ivan Hermogenovich. He began to examine the squares of the floor one by one, bending low with his magnifying glass.

Will I have to stand like this for long, Professor? the photographer asked timidly, anxiously following the strange movements of the professor.

Put your foot here! shouted the professor, pointing at the closest spot on the parquet floor. Schmidt obeyed and squeezed Jack so hard, that the poor dog yelped.

Quiet! whispered the photographer, watching the professor with growing fear.

Now, your other foot! Place it here!

The fat man meekly obeyed. So, one step at a time, the professor brought the dumbfounded photographer to the entrance door.

And now, said Ivan Hermogenovich, opening the door wide, now go, please!

The door slammed in Schmidt’s face. The latch clicked. The fat man let go of Jack, and rushed down the stairs, out of breath, stumbling and almost losing his sandal, and looking over his shoulder. Jack followed him with loud barking. In this manner, they ran to the police station.

Toward evening a car with red stripes along the sides entered the courtyard. Several policemen jumped out of it, summoned the janitor, and then climbed to the fifth floor, where Professor Enotov lived. But the professor was not home. A note was pinned to the door: Do not search for me. It’s futile. Professor I. H. Enotov.

Chapter 2: The magic liquid – A strange behavior of shorts and sandals – An extraordinary transformation of the most ordinary room – Adventure on the windowsill – Karik and Valya fly away

THAT’S HOW IT ALL STARTED. On the evening before the day of their disappearance, Karik was sitting in Professor Enotov’s study. It was his favorite time when he could talk with Ivan Hermogenovich.

From the dark corners, long black shadows were rising to the ceiling; it seemed as if someone were hiding there, looking at the circle of light over a large table. The blue flames of alcohol burners were stretching, shaking and swaying, licking the smoky bottoms of the glass retorts. Something gurgled and bubbled inside. Through the filters, transparent droplets were slowly seeping and falling into a bottle.

Karik climbed into the large leather armchair, tucking his feet under him. Pressing his chin to the edge of the table, he carefully watched the skillful hands of the professor, trying not to breathe, or move.

Whenever the professor worked, he whistled various songs, and sometimes told Karik funny stories about his childhood, about the distant countries he had visited, and about many amazing animals he had seen in America, Africa, and Australia.

Ivan Hermogenovich bent over the table, rolled up his sleeves, and slowly, drop by drop, poured a thick oily liquid into narrow glass cylinders. From time to time he lowered shiny crystals into these cylinders, and then some flakes would appear in the liquid, slowly spiraling down toward the bottom. The professor poured something blue out of a beaker, and the solution unexpectedly turned pink.

Of course, all of this was very exciting, and Karik was ready to stay in the professor’s study all night. But just then the professor quickly dried his hands with a towel, grabbed a large flask by the neck and wrapped it in blue paper.

Well, he said, finally I can congratulate myself. Success, my friend!

Is it ready? breathed Karik.

Yes. I just have to desaturate it, and...

The professor snapped his fingers, and loudly sang,

Oh liquid wonder, wait and see, we miracles create with thee!

Karik winced. Ivan Hermogenovich sang very loudly, but he had