In a cozy house in a small village, Eloy always waits eagerly for the arrival of his grandchildren. Every night, around a crackling fireplace and with a mischievous smile, he begins his stories by saying: "Did you know that when I was young, I met the Chinese emperor? Yes, he asked me to help defeat an army of paper dragons! But that’s not the story I want to tell you today."
It all began when I was traveling through the frozen lands of Russia. Back then, the snow covered the landscape like an endless blanket, and the cold was so intense that even the trees seemed to creak in protest. I found myself in a small village where the locals were talking about a very peculiar event: the Annual Bear Dance Championship.
The Russian tsars, in their quest for entertainment, had decided to train the local bears to dance to the rhythm of music. Yes, dancing bears! But it wasn’t an easy task, as these bears weren’t the most graceful creatures. However, their trainers had managed to achieve impressive feats.
One day, while I was exploring the village market, an old bear trainer recognized me. “You must be Eloy, the traveler with fantastic stories!” he exclaimed. Seeing my interest in the championship, he invited me to his home and introduced me to his best bear, Boris. Boris was a bear with thick brown fur and intelligent eyes. According to the trainer, Boris had a natural talent for dancing but needed a human partner who could guide him skillfully.
"Would you dare to compete alongside Boris?" the trainer asked with a playful smile. Me? Compete in a bear dance championship? It sounded so absurd that I couldn’t resist.
The following days, Boris and I practiced endlessly. We learned to move together, to follow the rhythm of the music, and most importantly, to trust each other. The trainer taught us traditional Russian dance steps, and soon, Boris and I were an unstoppable pair.
On the day of the championship, the whole village gathered in the town square. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation. The other competitors had also worked hard, and their bears displayed impressive skills.
When it was our turn, the trainer played a lively melody on his balalaika, and Boris and I began to dance. The spectators watched us in amazement as we performed spins, jumps, and perfectly coordinated moves. Every step we took was a perfect combination of strength and grace, and the crowd couldn’t take their eyes off us.
At the end of our performance, the square erupted in applause and cheers. The judges deliberated for what seemed like an eternity, and finally announced: “This year’s champion is Eloy and his incredible partner Boris!”
The victory was sweet, and Boris's trainer was overjoyed. He congratulated us and said he had never seen a human and a bear move with such harmony. Boris, for his part, enjoyed a feast of honey and fruits in celebration.
“And so, my dear ones, I became the bear dance champion in the Russia of the tsars. But that’s just one of the many stories I have to tell. Now, off to bed! Tomorrow, I’ll tell you about the time I faced an army of gladiators throwing spaghetti in ancient Rome. Good night and sweet dreams."