(miniflash story)

Long ago, on the vast steppes where the winds never sleep, there rode a band of fearless Cossacks. They laughed louder than thunder and rode faster than storms. Their leader, Taras the Bold, carried a saber said to be blessed by the lightning itself.

One night at dusk, the sky turned black, and from the clouds descended a serpent made of smoke and flame. It scorched fields and swallowed stars.

The villagers prayed, the warriors gathered—and the Cossacks rode.

Taras stood before the beast and shouted, “You face the sons of the wind!”

With wild cries, they charged, weaving between fire and shadow. Taras leapt high, his saber glowing, and with one mighty strike, split the serpent in two.

The skies cleared. Rain fell. Grass grew again. From that day, tales of the sky serpent and the brave Cossacks danced in every firelight, where courage rode on hooves and thunder laughed in men’s hearts.