Виктор Мазанов – Tales of Wisdom. Insights from Russian Folklore (страница 11)
The next day the dog’s former owners organized a picnic on a forest clearing. The former lady sat on a blanket reading a book, while her baby lay on her lap trying to catch a fly. The older daughter went to pick berries, and the former husband gathered firewood for the campfire.
Suddenly a wolf jumped out of the bushes, grabbed the baby’s blanket and ran into the thicket. The former lady screamed, and her husband dropped the firewood and chased after the wolf, but could not catch him.
From nowhere the dog appeared, barking and lunging at the wolf. They tumbled across the ground. The dog snatched the baby from the wolf and returned the child to its mother, while the wolf fled into the forest.
The family rejoiced, hugged and praised the dog, and decided to bring him back home. The lady began to scold her husband for having driven away such a dog, who, although old, could still do his job.
The dog returned home, lived in the same kennel as before, and began to forget the hardships he had endured.
Winter came. The older daughter was getting married. The festive night was especially frosty, and the whole celebration took place inside the house. Guests occasionally stepped out into the yard for fresh air, and the dog received many treats.
But then howls began to echo from the forest. At first the dog ignored them, but then he leapt up and ran toward the howling.
In the forest, on a stump, sat the wolf. He shivered from the cold and was howling. For several days he could not catch any prey and had not eaten. He saw the dog approach and asked:
– What’s up? Driven away again?
– No. You’re hungry, right?
While everyone was busy holding contests and dancing, the dog led the wolf into the kitchen and hid him behind the stove. No one even noticed how they got in. The dog ran back to the hall, bringing the wolf pies and meat.
The wolf ate and ate. He probably had never been so full as that evening. He was about to leave when the music stopped, a sad song began, and the wolf decided to sing too. He howled, first softly, then louder. The dog thought trouble was coming and prepared for the worst.
Indeed, as soon as the song faded, people heard the wolf’s howl from the kitchen. Panic broke out in the hall. Women screamed, men grabbed whatever was at hand— a stool, a pan, a broom, a mop— and rushed toward the kitchen. But nobody dared to go in. Then the dog barked, the wolf burst out of the kitchen, and everyone fled from him. The dog kept barking and ran after the wolf.
They ran to the edge of the forest, where they said goodbye:
– Thank you… – the wolf managed to say, out of breath after the long run with a full belly.
– Well… you… uh… – the dog could not find words for farewell.
– If you ever need help, come find me, – said the wolf and disappeared into the woods.
Since then the dog continued to live as before: he slept a lot, ate and drank his fill, and no one ever tried to drive him away again.
Consequences of cruelty and thoughtless decisions
– The owner chased the dog away, condemning him to hardship.
– The dog suffered in the forest and struggled to find food.
Kindness and compassion as forces that can change fate
– The wolf felt sympathy for the dog and helped him return home.
– The dog remembered the wolf’s kindness and repaid it by saving the child.
Importance of forgiveness and seeing good intentions
– Although the wolf and the dog were once enemies, the wolf forgave the dog, understanding that the dog was only doing his job.
– The owners welcomed the dog back because he rescued their child.
Why did the wolf decide to help the dog even though they had been enemies before?
Why did the wolf and the dog “steal” the child in order to get the dog back home?
Why did the dog decide to help the wolf and hide him in the kitchen during the celebration?
What would have happened if the dog had not “chased” the wolf?
Why was it wrong to drive the dog away, even though he had become old?
Wintering of the Animals
One late autumn, when the leaves had already turned yellow and begun to fall, a big strong bull was walking along a forest path. He met a ram coming the other way.
– Hello, Ram! Where are you heading? – asked the bull.
– I’m looking for a warmer place to hide from the winter frost, – replied the ram.
– Then let’s look together, – suggested the bull.
They kept walking and soon met a pig.
– And where are you going, little piggy? – asked the bull.
– I’m running from the winter, looking for somewhere warmer, – she said.
– Come with us!
Now the three of them walked together. Before long they encountered a goose trudging sadly over the frozen ground.
– Goose, where are you going? – asked the bull.
– I’m looking for a warmer spot.
– Well, join us; it’ll be more fun together.
Then they met a rooster, who was also walking gloomily along the forest trail.
– Rooster, you’re probably looking for a warmer place too, aren’t you? – asked the bull with a smile.
– Exactly, it’s getting colder.
Thus the whole company set off together. As they walked, they talked:
– My friends, snow will soon fall and it will become very cold. Let’s build a little house so it will be warm and cozy, – proposed the bull.
At that moment the ram proudly shook his head:
– I have thick wool; I won’t be cold. I can manage without a house!
The pig snorted and said:
– I’ll dig a hole in the ground and spend the winter peacefully!
The goose also declared:
– Cold doesn’t scare me! I’ll perch among the spruce branches, cover myself with one wing, sleep with the other – and I’ll get through the winter!
The rooster hurried to agree:
– I’ll manage too!
Only the bull was left alone with his plans. He decided not to be lazy – he began to build a hut. He worked diligently and hard while the others rested.
Finally he built a sturdy, solid hut with thick walls, a stove, and a soft bed.