This is the story of how Uncle Albert and Airy met.
***
As he climbed up to the observation deck, Albert finally took a breath. The view from here was wonderful. The most striking thing about the mountains was that even now, in the height of summer, there was snow on their peaks.
- Yes," he thought, "I guess I really should have come here.
Everyone who knew Albert thought he was strange. But if they had gotten to know his family better, they might have changed their minds. The thing is, there wasn't a single ordinary person in that family. Even everyone's job was unusual - Uncle Albert's most "ordinary" relatives worked at the zoo. There could have been, for example, more salesmen. Only they didn't sell food, but again, something unusual. For example, toys, and if still, it was something edible, it was some kind of sweets - for example, cookies, candy or gingerbread. Albert's close friends and acquaintances were the same way.
Albert himself was an open-minded person and loved to travel and get to know new places and people. He traveled very often, and recently he suddenly realized that he had not been to the mountains for a long time. He hastened to correct this omission. And now, looking at the view that opened up to him, Albert realized that he was not mistaken.
- I wonder what adventures await me here? - he thought.
It really didn't take long for the adventure to begin.
After going down to the village, Albert decided to take a walk. He liked this quiet and peaceful place. When Albert reached the main square in the village, he heard some people arguing noisily about something. At first he thought that someone was just arguing. But then he listened and realized that it was something else: a child was lost. That child was a little girl living with one of the families. And she didn't seem to be well-liked there.
- Where's that crazy woman again?! - Some woman shouted.
- I don't know! - A boy, apparently her son, answered - She's always wandering around!
Albert intervened.
- I beg your pardon - he asked politely - is something wrong? Who's lost?
Finally, the door opened and a man came out of the house and explained to Albert what had happened. It turned out that the family had an elderly relative who had found the girl in the woods a few years ago. She couldn't tell him anything except that she was four years old and her name was Airi. The family to which the grandfather brought the girl decided that he had made it all up because the girl turned out to be...mute. Not only that, but many suspected that she had a hearing problem too, because they weren't sure if Airi even responded to speech. At first, everyone thought that Airi had parents, or at least some relatives, she was just lost, and soon she would be taken away. But no one came, and Airi's foster family really didn't like that. On top of that, she started running away from home. No one knew where or why. So there was little chance of finding her.
- Can I help you with your search? - Albert asked.
- You? - The hostess interrogated him and looked at him strangely, "Well, try. But I doubt you'll succeed. - She explained, "Many people have helped us, and none of them have succeeded.
- I'm going to try it anyway," said Albert, and set off in search of it.
He searched for a very long time, but nowhere did he see not only Airi, but also no children at all who were without parents or any of their siblings. Finally, Albert realized that Airi was not in the village, so he went to the forest. And so, in the forest, he finally heard a child's ringing voice.
- What are you saying? - The girl asked - And he didn't share it with you at all?
Albert followed the voice, and soon found himself in a forest clearing where a girl sat surrounded by animals and birds. She had long, dark curly hair and dark green eyes. Her gaze was such that she seemed to know everything. But the most striking thing about her was another thing: she talked to squirrels. Going by the voice, Albert had been sure there were some people around Airi - at least one. But now he saw that no one was around: Airi was all alone and talking to the animals. When he saw that she was not alone with the animals, it was as if Airi was frightened and looked at him.
- Hi," Albert said with a smile, "You're Airi, aren't you?
The girl nodded.
- And I'm Albert. They - Albert pointed to the animals - are your friends, aren't they?
- Yes," said Airi at last, "they understand me. And I understand them. But people don't understand me.
- You know what? - Albert suddenly smiled - I've been considered weird my whole life, too. Not like everyone else.
- Oh, really?
- Yeah. My family, too.
And Albert told Airi about his relatives and friends. At the end he asked:
- So, do you want to live with us? Or do you want to stay here?
Airi thought for a moment, then answered:
- With you.
When Albert told Irie's foster family about his decision, they didn't mind at all. Airi never regretted her decision either. Albert's relatives quickly became family to her. Just like that, on his journey, Albert found the one who quickly became his own niece.
The end