Stavl Zosimov
Boniface and Januaria Lost Finds

Chapter One

In a quiet, cozy city, an expensive foreign car of the ladies' class stops at the corner of the street, driven by a young girl and in the back seat a beautiful white French dog of the Bichon Frise breed named Boniface.

"There you go, Boniface. – says Karina. – We got into traffic again. I'm so sick of this.

The girl looks in the rearview mirror in the cabin and sees the face of her pet.

"I don't." – Boniface thinks in his mind. – You're going like a madwoman. You're going to get into trouble.

– What are you looking at? – Karina flirts. – I understand you. You love driving at high speeds, and you're squealing with excitement!

– If I could, I'd tell you what I love. – Boniface complains. – I love running, not driving.

– It's a pity that you don't understand me like a human. I wonder what you're thinking about. Are you thinking about sausages?

– Eat your soy and indigriden sausages yourself. – the dog is nervous. – And what do you know about my thoughts? I want real meat right now.

Like the foxes in the animal show catching field mice. And not your bone, bought at a pet store and made from bone waste with chemical additives, so that your shit is not white like all dogs, but khaki, like you and other two-legged creatures.

– No. But you're thinking about something, Boniface. You're looking away.

– You're bothering me. I don't like being stared at. I want to bite your nose.

Another girl approaches the car on the sidewalk, leading a similar-looking dog on a leash. The fluffy bow around her neck indicates that the dog is a girl. Boniface notices her from a distance, sticks out his tongue, and stares at her. The dog also notices Boniface's gaze and begins to wag its trimmed tail and run back and forth on the sidewalk.

A sheep named Januaria is happily grazing in a green field outside the city, near the edge of a forest, with her flock. The animals are so engrossed in eating the grass that they don't notice what's happening around them. A shepherd on a horse is watching them, nodding his head in an attempt to stay awake. However, he succumbs to sleepiness and begins to doze off. The sheep hears the shepherd's snoring, raises its head, and looks at him. It then takes a look around. He sees one of the young sheep starting to drift away from the herd towards the city.

– Januaria! – The ram, the leader of the herd, is indignant. – Come back to the herd!

The sheep Januaria raises her head and looks at the ram.

– Have I gone far? Who am I afraid of?

– Who are you afraid of? Have you forgotten that there are wolves in the forest?

– Near the city? That's ridiculous.

"Come back to the herd, daughter. – Januaria's mother Lamechka is indignant. – And stop it, you worry when your father tells you to. The milk on your lips hasn't dried yet, but you're already snapping.

"You've got me." I'm not a little girl anymore. And you're depriving me of my freedom. The grass is juicier here.

– It's juicy everywhere. Baran insists. – Come back in silence and keep up with the others. See, the shepherd is dozing again.

Januaria slowly approaches the herd and continues to graze. Januaria's mother and father exchange glances and continue to graze as well.

– Don't get too caught up in eating the grass and don't forget to keep an eye on the adult sheep grazing on the edges, protecting the young ones. Januaria's mother says.

– I'm no longer a young sheep, and I can confidently say that I'm an adult. That means I can, not in the center, but on the edges of the herd, like you.

– Okay, mother. She's right about something. It's time for her to grow up. But don't stray from the herd.

– Okay, father.

In a traffic jam, a young girl is driving an expensive ladies' car, and in the back seat is a beautiful white French Bichon Frise dog named Boniface. The girl's smartphone rings, and she picks it up, clicks on the screen, and a video call with the caller appears.

– Oh, Karinka, hi! What's up?

– Hi, Lida! I'm sorry! You must be waiting a long time.

– You don't know how long. Lucrezia and I are already exhausted. We agreed at 11 a.m., and it's already half past one.

– So I left earlier, I thought there would be no traffic jams. But she's here around the clock. The damn traffic jam is preventing Boniface from meeting Lucrezia in order to produce purebred offspring. Give me one puppy.

– As we agreed, Krinka. The main thing is to come to me.

– Of course, I'll come. – says Lida. – What could happen? By the way, have you looked at the collection of the blue couturier on the Internet?

– Yes, but it's not blue, it's light blue. That's what I think it says on the signs of his chain of salons.

– It doesn't matter. Have you looked at it?

– Well, here we go. – Boniface growled in his mind. – It's at least two hours. God, how stuffy it is here?! At least open the windows. Right. She doesn't have any fur like I do?!

And Boniface again looks at the same dog running along the sidewalk, the same breed as he is on a leash with another owner. He starts breathing more intensively, sticks out his tongue, stands on his hind legs, stretches his neck towards the window, and rests his front paws on the individual door control panel. He accidentally presses the button for automatic window opening. The window opens silently. His owner is engrossed in a conversation. Boniface jumps through the open window and runs outside after her.

Januaria the sheep happily continues to graze in a green field outside the city at the edge of the forest, with her flock. The animals, who are passionate about eating grass, do not notice what is happening around them. A shepherd on a horse is dozing with his head bowed. Januaria is resolutely addicted to eating and forgets about her mother's punishment. Gradually moving away from his herd. This is seen by wolves from the forest, which is located nearby.

"Look, Fierce. – Kasqyr says. – The shepherd's probably asleep.

– And there, a black sheep breaks away from the herd. – Notices the wolf Balvan. – Maybe we'll beat it?

– Don't, Balvan… – Stops Lyuty. – It's too early. Let it get away from its own. And we'll decide how to quietly approach it.

– What's to think about. – Balvan suggests. – To fly in a swarm, to bite her and in the forest. I'll take her away with me.

– Well, yes. – Luty suggests. – And the shepherd will shoot you down in no time. Do you see the holster with the cut-off sticking out of the side of the horse?

– What a load of nonsense you're talking about, Fool. – Kaskyr laughs. – You talk, Luty. Otherwise, we won't have any lunch.

– I'm just suggesting. – Continues Luty. – Crawl closer and block the way for the Sheep to return to her herd. You, Kaskyr, block her path to her own herd. Let the Fool crawl and block her path to the city. And I will crawl in the center. And on my command, we will drive her to the opposite forest. There we will catch her.

– That's a good idea.

– What should I do? – asks the Fool.

– Are you a fool or something? – Kasqyr is indignant. – Didn't you hear what Luty just said?

– He's a Fool, which is even worse. – Luty adds.

– Are you serious? – the Fool is boiling. – I remember something about the city, and then I yawned and didn't hear it.

"Well, you idiot. – Asserts the Idiot.

"Leave him alone, Kaskyr,– Fierce suggests. – You idiot, you're crawling towards the city, and don't let her into the city. Understood?

– Now, yes.

"Then let's start hunting." And if you screw up again, then you'll have lunch instead. Got it?

– Yes… And if Kasqyr misses? We'll eat him?

– I won't miss. Bet?

– Enough. – Kasqyr roars. – I'm not literally, but figuratively, that we will eat the one who will blink his side. And this means that we will beat long and painful… This applies to everyone except me.

Wolves begin to crawl towards the set goal.

Boniface jumps out of the open window onto the sidewalk and runs after the dog. Another woman and her mysterious dog are walking down the sidewalk, and Boniface catches up with them. However, the stranger growls playfully and runs away from Boniface.

– Leave me alone, stranger. The stranger says to Boniface. – Why are you sniffing me? I don't know you.

– You're beautiful. –Flatters Boniface and sniffs.

– I know. And I have a boyfriend. –The stranger nervously responds.

The persistent Boniface catches up with her again. The latter is already angrier, she pushes him away.

– The guy is not a wall, he can move. – Says Boniface.

– What, smart, huh? Fall off, I said. And then…

– And what then?

– And then I'll whine, and my mistress will chase you away.

Suddenly the woman turns to the door of the pet shop, opens the door and goes inside. Boniface runs after the dog, but the door is closed in front of Boniface's face.

– What a bummer. I was just getting into the swing of things. And now these damn human obstacles. Why can't we just live like the rest of the animals? No! Humans need to separate themselves.

Chapter Two

As Januaria gradually moves away, she doesn't realize how far she's gone from the other sheep. Suddenly, Januaria hears the ominous growl of a wolf named Lute from the tall grass, and she immediately realizes that danger is nearby. Without hesitation, she runs towards her shepherd and the herd, which is still dozing. A wolf named Kasqyr rises from the grass and blocks her path, forcing Januaria to flee from the herd towards the city. From the city side, a wolf named Balvan emerges from the grass and looks fearfully at the fleeing sheep. It turns around and runs away towards the city. The wolves chase after the sheep, while the sheep runs after the fleeing third wolf.

– Fool, drive her into the forest, you idiot! – shouts Kasqyr.

– Not from her, but on her run, idiot! – directs Lyuty.

Fool stops and Januaria at speed hits him. They roll over and over. Januaria jumps up and continues to run without looking back to the city. Wolves run past their friend, and he gets up and runs after them. The shepherd wakes up and shoots into the air, then straightens his whip and gallops towards the fleeing wolves.

The horse gallops up to the lagging Balvan, and the shepherd-farmer Ivan whips him on the back with the tip of his whip.

– Get it, you scoundrel… – Ivan admires. – And so be it.

Balvan whines and turns away. Lyuty and Kaskyr also go in the opposite direction towards Balvan. The shepherd-farmer Ivan quickly turns towards the two wolves and chases them away, beating them with a whip as he goes.

– How about this? How about this? Does it hurt? Wouldn't it hurt my Januaria? And don't you dare show your face around my flock… Parasites.

The shepherd-farmer Ivan stops, turns around, and gallops towards the edge of the city, where he last saw his fleeing sheep, Januaria.

Boniface looks at the door, then at the side of his mistress's car, and sees the stream of cars moving off, and his car just drives away with everyone else.

– Hey, dear, what about me? – Boniface wonders.

Boniface, whining and barking hysterically, runs after the departing car, but soon loses sight of it. In a panic, he starts running through the yards. Boniface runs down the street, and, wandering, runs into an unfamiliar neighborhood.

– Но могла ведь посмотреть в зеркало на меня? Так нет же. Смартфон дороже. – Возмущается Бонифаций. – А я теперь куда? У меня же нет бионавигатора?! Постоянно в машине по городу. И только в сквере для выгула собак я и бегал. А тут все так незнакомо?!

Januaria runs to the border of the city, runs into its territory and strives for the square, which is now crowded. Occasionally glancing back at myself as I run.

– I think I've missed it… Januaria sighs and stops. "How am I going to get to my own people now?" The wolves were probably waiting for me. I'll go around. I'm already an adult, and everything that comes to my mind is no longer childish babbling, but the thoughts of an adult sheep.

Januaria runs to the corner of the street and sees untouched grass. She forgets about everything and starts nibbling on it.

– They could have eaten me, right? Januaria continues to ponder.– My mother told me to graze in the middle. And my father, she's already an adult! Let her get used to it. And I'm doing well. She thought she was grown up. And now what?!

The blond dog Boniface stops at the corner of the street and sees a black sheep grazing nearby. The sheep, Januaria, looks frightened and lost, and often chokes on the grass, coughs, and then greedily gulps it down again.

– And who is this? – Boniface asks himself. – It doesn't look like mine. I'll go to her and get to know her. Maybe she saw where my mistress went?

The little dog Boniface runs up to the grazing Januaria. Januaria sees his sudden appearance and jumps back.

– Are you a fool or what? You scare me!! Who are you in general?

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't think I'd scare you. I'm Boniface.

And I want to ask you: if you've been grazing here for a long time, have you seen where my mistress went in a wheelbarrow?

"I haven't seen it." I've fallen behind the herd myself, and I don't know how to get to them.

– Right from the city, in the field. Boniface suggests.

"There are wolves waiting for me in the grass." – Januaria replies.

– Why? Do you owe them something?

– No. They just want to eat me.

– Like canned meat?

– I don't know. I've never been eaten before. And I suspect that if they do eat me, I certainly won't answer your question.

– How you answer beautifully. – Boniface wagging his tail. – And you know, let's you help, me to find my owner, and I'll help you to find the way to your herd?

– I agree. And what's your name?

– The mistress calls me Boniface.

– It's a pleasure, and I'm Januaria.

– A beautiful name.

– Am I not beautiful?

– You are very beautiful, and your name suits your face.

– Oh. Thank you! No one has ever told me such a compliment.

– Now you will hear them from my lips everywhere!!!

– You are such a gentleman… Let's be friends.

– I agree. Especially since we have the same problem.

– I think it will be easier to deal with the difficulties, and I suggest that we start by avoiding the wolves. If we find my herd, the farmer and shepherd will immediately put out an announcement, and your owner will come to get you.

– So why are we standing here? Let's go!

Boniface the dog and Januaria the sheep are walking down a side street. Suddenly, it starts to rain.

– That's just what we need.

– We need to find shelter from the rain.

– You're right, Boniface, and it will make it difficult for us to move around the city.

– There's an abandoned canopy over there, maybe we can hide under it for a while?

– That's right, let's move faster. Otherwise, our hair will get wet.

Boniface the dog and Januaria the sheep run to the tree canopy growing against the wall of a high-rise building and run under it, but they see that the homeless cats have taken refuge there, and they look at them fiercely and begin to hiss passionately.

– What are you doing here? – Hisses the ginger cat.

– All the seats are taken. – Adds the black cat.

– You better get out of here, or we'll use our sharp claws. – Threatens the white cat.

– It's raining outside! – Replies Boniface. We'll wait and leave.

– We won't bother you. – Adds Januaria.

– We're just on the edge here…

– Did they explain it to you wrong? The ginger cat explodes with emotion.

– What's there to explain?! The white cat rages. – We should beat them up. That's it, isn't it?

– Wait, wait. Januaria stops everyone. – Don't get into a fight. If we're in the way, we'll leave peacefully. True, Boniface?

– And why should we leave? – Boldly asks Boniface.

– Yes, because there are more of them and they are angrier. – Adds Januaria.

– As for me, there is enough space for everyone… – Smiles Boniface.

Cats stand in a rack to jump and slowly, pressed to the ground, go, hissing and exposing their fangs and bulging their claws. Boniface also begins to show his teeth in response. And then the cats jump at Boniface, but Januaria grabs his tail with her teeth and quickly runs out from under the canopy, pulling Boniface out with her. The cats hit the tree trunk at once. They fall, shake their heads, and jump again at the fleeing Januaria, who has Boniface's tail in her teeth. And it slaps the ground.

– Yes, let me go? – Boniface mutters. – I can run myself.

Januaria stops and lets go of the tail. The rain begins to pour even harder.

– What ungrateful cats. – Januaria indignantly. – Chased out the unfortunate animals.

– And there, an open entrance. Let's run there?

– Exactly. I can already feel the dampness on my skin.

Frightened by the rain, Januaria and Boniface run to the entrance and try to enter the open entrance of the building. However, they immediately encounter a cleaning lady who has opened the door for cleaning purposes. Januaria and Boniface run into the building, drenched in water, and proceed deeper into the building. They turn around and see their own footprints left by their dirty paws. They look at the distraught woman in fear and guilt.

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