
24/03/2025
Other People’s Children…
The children would often leave the house in tears and hungry, finding refuge in Sultan’s doghouse, curling up against the warm side of the big shaggy guardian who had become not just their protector, but a real nanny—and even a second mother…
It so happened that Nikolai Sergeevich ended up alone in a spacious house on the outskirts of the district center—just him and his two small children. All household responsibilities fell entirely on his shoulders. He worked as the chief engineer at a motor depot and sometimes had to take trips to source parts, equipment, and machinery. If it weren’t for kind-hearted Pakhomovna, an elderly helper, he would’ve had to either quit his good job or send the children to an orphanage.
The younger daughter, Nina, could hear but didn’t speak. Doctors advised waiting until she turned six and, if there were no improvement, to place her in a specialized institution. Nina couldn’t bear to be separated from her brother Sasha, who, although only a year older, understood her perfectly without words. Because of this, neither child attended kindergarten.
But Sasha wasn’t the only one who understood little Nina. In the yard, in a doghouse, lived Sultan—a large, shaggy dog with a stern nature. His powerful bark could rattle windows. He only accepted Nikolai and Pakhomovna, strictly fulfilling his role as guard. Anyone else who crossed the fence was seen as an intruder.
Yet to the children, Sultan was a true friend. They would ride on his back like a horse, crawl into his doghouse, dress him up in old clothes from their father, and play with him for hours. Sultan gladly joined in their games and mischief.
Nikolai often noticed Nina whispering things to the dog. Sultan would listen attentively and, as if answering her, would lick her hands and face, making the girl burst into joyful laughter. Nikolai believed that mute Nina and stern Sultan understood each other completely.
Pakhomovna, though warm-hearted, was growing older and frequently complained about her health.
“Nikolai Sergeevich, it’s time you remarried. Raising kids alone is hard, and I can’t help the way I used to. Age is catching up with me,” she grumbled, though always with concern.
During the November holidays, an old colleague came to visit Nikolai. Over dinner, they had a heartfelt talk, and Nikolai walked his friend to the station. To kill some time, they stopped by the local canteen, where behind the counter stood a smiling woman in her mid-forties. That’s how Nikolai met Galina.
From then on, he would often stop by the canteen and walk Galina home to her rented room in an old house. She told him she had moved from another region, had no children, and her husband had died in the war.
Soon Nikolai invited her over. Galina arrived well-dressed, with treats and gifts. She spent the whole day playing with the kids, drawing, and reading fairy tales. Nina and Sasha quickly warmed up to the cheerful woman. Only Sultan remained unfriendly—growling and refusing her treats.
“He’s just not very sociable,” Nikolai reassured her.
By New Year’s, Galina moved in with her belongings. They officially registered their marriage, and she quit her job to become a homemaker. She loved the spacious house and began tidying everything—washing windows, rearranging furniture, beating out the rugs.
Nikolai felt happy. The house was cozy, the children cared for. But over time, Galina started getting annoyed with the kids. They took up her free time, got in the way of socializing, relaxing, and enjoying herself.
She dropped the act of being a loving stepmother. For laughing or talking, she would punish the children by locking them in the small pantry. She forbade Sasha from telling his father anything—threatening him with violence.
The children began to avoid their stepmother, hiding in Sultan’s doghouse. Only beside the dog did they feel truly safe…
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