Voldery. Voldery Gofman. A hardworking man with his own small but successful business. He is always smiling and kind. Anyone who comes to him will always receive his help. But who would have known that a man with such a good reputation and a kind-hearted nature had a dark past?

***

A sunny day. The rays of the July sun shone brightly through the window of the boys' orphanage right onto Voldery's face. Tickled by the sunbeam, his nose twitched and he opened his eyes—full of joy and curiosity for the new day.

Raising himself slightly on his elbows, Voldery looked around and realized he had woken up before reveille. The quiet snoring and motionless lumps under the blankets around him spoke more eloquently than any words.

"Carrot sticks! Too early!" the boy whispered softly, casting an impatient glance at the toys standing in the corner before burying his face back in the pillow. He already wanted to get up and go play, but Voldery knew that if he did, he would likely lose his dessert after dinner. So, he had to fight the temptation with all his might.

Half an hour later, the horn finally sounded, signaling the children were allowed to get up and start their day. Voldery felt relief when he heard it. It was like a permission signal to finally go play, but there was a catch. First, he had to do his exercises, wash up, eat, and attend the morning arithmetic lesson, and only then could he go play.

Feeling a bit downcast, the boy got out of bed and started putting on his athletic clothes. It was summer, and even at this early hour, the sun was shining, which meant it was already warm.

After tying the last shoelace, he was one of the first to step out into the hallway and head to the yard, where two caregivers responsible for their physical activity were already waiting for the children. Voldery took his usual spot and began waiting for the others.

This was how every morning began. Day after day flew by in the life of young Voldery. He was only five years old, but he was already wise beyond his years.

After exercises came a shower, brushing teeth, then he would run to comb his hair and make his bed, and only then—the long-awaited breakfast.

He was almost like a grown-up. After all, he and his friends discussed the news over breakfast, just like adults do.

Today's news, however, was more serious than yesterday evening's episode of "Nu, Pogodi!" ("Just You Wait!") or the arrival of a new toy.

A married couple had come to the orphanage wanting to adopt a boy. And that meant today, one of them would find a family.

This news excited Voldery greatly because, more than anything in the world, he wanted one thing—to see his real mother. He didn't want to leave with unfamiliar uncles or aunties who wanted to be his mom and dad. No. He wanted to wait for his own mom; he naively believed she hadn't left him here forever. And he wanted to believe that any day now, she would come and take him away from here. A naive boy.

***

"What kind of child exactly are you looking for? Perhaps you have specific preferences?" the orphanage director asked dryly. This elderly lady was Miss Barve. An old woman who disliked children but, for some reason, ran an orphanage. She frowned at the married couple and clicked her pen.

The young couple exchanged glances, and finally, the young woman spoke:

"Yes, we would like to adopt a boy. Preferably younger than five years old."

Miss Barve frowned, glanced at one of the children's dossiers, took a deep sigh, and stood up.

"Let's go," the woman's creaky voice replied as she gave the young couple a cold look.

Miss Barve led the couple to the yard where children of various ages were playing. The elderly woman began pointing at children and monotonously telling something about them.

"Hey, Dandelion, look! There they are!" someone's quiet voice said. Voldery turned towards the married couple.

His eyes widened in surprise and suddenly grew wet. His lips trembled. The boy felt a surge of warmth in his heart. Finally, she had returned!

Without a second thought, he ran with open arms toward the young woman. The boy hugged her tightly, or more accurately, clung to her.

"Mommy! Mommy! It's you! Really?! You came for me! Please, take me back, I want to go home!" Voldery began speaking quickly, sniffling and looking into the young woman's eyes. The young lady was a bit taken aback but carefully and gently hugged the boy back. The director looked at Voldery with contempt and disgust.

"My apologies, Mrs. Gofman. Voldery is not known for good manners or behavior. We will have a disciplinary talk with him later. For now, let's proceed to the group..." Miss Barve replied coldly, with a note of malice.

Mrs. Gofman gently stroked the boy's head: "I don't think we need to look at anyone else; this little one is charming."

Her husband approached her and whispered quietly: "Darling, are you sure? He seems older than..."

The woman quietly interrupted him and replied:

"No, this is definitely our child, Greak."

Mrs. Gofman looked at the director and, smiling, replied: "We'll take this child; he suits us."

A flicker of surprise crossed Miss Barve's perpetually cold and emotionless face.

"Are you sure about this?" she clarified.

"Yes. We are sure of our choice, Miss Barve," said Mr. Gofman, adjusting his tie.

Barve adjusted her glasses and replied with her usual indifference: "Well then, Mr. and Mrs. Gofman, if this is your choice, I suggest we proceed to my office to complete the adoption paperwork."

Then the director glanced at Voldery: "Pack your things and say goodbye to your friends, Voldery. In 15 minutes, you will go home with your new parents."

Voldery nodded and quickly ran to the room where the children's personal belongings were kept. At the same time, Miss Barve and the Gofman family headed to the office to sort out the bureaucratic matters.

***

"Listen, Mr. and Mrs. Gofman. Before we finalize and sign these documents, I must warn you about something," the director said in her creaky voice, sitting at the desk with her arms crossed. She sighed heavily and adjusted her glasses.

"Voldery came to our orphanage as a mere infant. Almost nothing is known about his biological parents. There is no information whatsoever about the biological father, but as for the mother..." She looked thoughtfully at the cuckoo clock, which marked the tense rhythm and created a rather uncomfortable atmosphere in the office. After a short pause, she continued:

"His real mother, Megan B., gave birth to him at the age of 16 to what she called her first and only love. But as you understand, that love was fleeting and vanished when the boy learned of his girlfriend's pregnancy."

"And what are you trying to say with this?" Mr. Gofman asked impatiently.

"That after giving birth to Voldery, his mother began drinking heavily and almost drowned Voldery when he was just a baby. And after she was arrested... she hanged herself," Miss Barve concluded.

The Gofmans sat in silence. Bianca's face noticeably paled, and Greak merely glanced around nervously. He put his arm around his wife to comfort her somehow.

"Voldery is not the most obedient child in this institution. He has about 5 recorded escapes from foster families. He has been returned three times already. You now understand the risk you are taking. With such a lineage, it's not unlikely that this boy will grow into a criminal personality," the old rabbit-woman continued.

Bianca frowned. She, too, was from an orphanage and also had less-than-ideal parents, but that hadn't stopped her from growing into a normal member of society.

"You are wrong, Miss Barve. What matters is not who this boy was born to, but his upbringing and love. Rest assured, if Voldery grows up in a normal, loving family, he will become a wonderful person," Bianca retorted, trying to hide her irritation.

To this, Miss Barve merely snorted and said with a cold half-smile: "Very well. But if any problems arise with him, you can always return him. You have my number. And believe me, no one will judge you."

It was clear from Bianca's face that she was about to say something unpleasant to the old rabbit. So, Greak interrupted the conversation between the two women. He patted his wife's hand and turned to Miss Barve: "Thank you for the information, Miss Barve, but I think it's time for us to start signing the documents now. Isn't it?"

Miss Barve's smile vanished, and she silently pulled out a stack of papers. Taking the first pile of documents, she said: "So, let's start from here."

***

That day became the happiest one for young Voldery. His real mom had finally come for him, which meant life was truly good and the sun shone for him too. He quickly packed his things and said goodbye to his friends. Of course, parting with them was painful, but he understood it was necessary. It was necessary because his family had returned for him.

He waved his little paw to his friends through the car window as he got in.

Finally having settled all the matters, the head of the family started the car, and Voldery left this place forever, heading towards a new life.