Виктор Мазанов – Tales of Wisdom. Insights from Russian Folklore (страница 3)
The other animals came, admired the patterns on the walls, and the Fox sighed languidly:
– Oh, the life of a queen is so heavy!
When spring arrived, streams sang, the sun shone and melted the snow. The Fox’s icy “palace” melted in a single night – like sugar in tea. Only a puddle remained. The Hare’s cabin, which the Fox had once mocked, stood as good as new – dry and sturdy.
A wet, trembling Fox knocked on the Hare’s door:
– Neighbor, dear! Let me warm up, even for a minute. I’m freezing! – she whined, pretending to be helpless.
The kind Hare flung the door open:
– Come in, make yourself at home! Sit by the stove, I’ll brew some tea.
At first the Fox behaved properly: thanked him, sat modestly on the edge of the bench. But with each new cup of tea (the Hare kept refilling her) she grew bolder.
– Oh, how cozy it is here! – the Fox sighed. – Isn’t it a bit cramped for the two of us? Move over, Hare!
She pushed the host away from the stove.
– The rug at the door is dirty – it should be thrown out! – she grumbled, sprawling on the hare’s little couch. – And your soup is under‑salted. Your cabin, to be honest, is too small for someone as important as me!
The Hare only flapped his ears:
– I’m sorry, little Fox, I tried…
But the Fox sprang up, eyes flashing:
– Enough trying! Out of MY house! I’m the mistress now!
She hurled the poor fellow out, slamming the door loudly.
The Hare walked along the path, tears dripping onto the moss. Suddenly a Dog appeared:
– Woof‑woof! Why are you crying, Hare?
– How can I not? I had a log cabin, and the Fox had an icy one. Spring came, her house melted, she asked to stay – I let her in. And now she’s driven me out.
– Don’t worry! We’ll chase her away! – promised the Dog.
They approached the Fox’s house:
– Hey, Fox! Get out!
From the stove the Fox shouted:
– Try to drive me out! I’ll jump, I’ll leap – shards will fly everywhere!
The Dog was frightened, tucked his tail and ran away.
The Hare wept again. He kept walking and met a Bear:
– What’s wrong, little one?
– I had a log cabin, the Fox an icy one. Spring melted her house, she asked to stay. I let her in, and she drove me out.
– Ah, you trickster! Don’t cry, I’ll throw her out!
– You can’t… – the Hare replied sadly. – The Dog tried – couldn’t. The Bear tried – couldn’t.
– I can! Let’s go!
They approached the house:
– Out, Fox, from someone else’s home!
From the stove the Fox answered:
– Oh‑oh! I’m scared! I’ll jump, I’ll leap – shards will fly everywhere!
The Bear flinched and fled.
The Hare kept walking, still crying, when a Bull appeared:
– Moo! Why so sad?
– How can I not… I had a log cabin, the Fox an icy one. Spring melted her house. I let her in, she drove me out.
– I’ll chase her away with my horns!
– You won’t, – sighed the Hare. – The Dog tried – couldn’t. The Bear tried – couldn’t. You won’t either…
– We’ll see! Let’s go!
They approached the house:
– Out, Fox, away!
From the stove the Fox shouted again:
– I’ll jump, I’ll leap – shards will fly everywhere!
The Bull snorted… and ran off.
The Hare’s tears kept flowing. Then a Rooster with a sharp scythe on his shoulder met him:
– Coo‑ka‑re‑koo! What’s the trouble, Hare? Why are you crying?
– How can I not… I had a log cabin, the Fox an icy one. Her house melted, I let her in, she drove me out.
– Let’s go, I’ll chase her away!
– You can’t… The Dog tried – couldn’t, the Bear tried – couldn’t, the Bull tried – couldn’t.
– I can! – the Rooster declared confidently.
They approached the house:
– Coo‑ka‑re‑koo! I’m carrying a scythe, I’ll cut the Fox! Come out, Fox, here!
A trembling voice came from inside:
– I… I’m getting dressed!
The Rooster repeated:
– Coo‑ka‑re‑koo! I’m carrying a scythe, I’ll cut the Fox! Come out, Fox, here!
– I’m putting on a coat! – the Fox squeaked.
The Rooster shouted a third time, even louder:
– Coo‑ka‑re‑koo! I’m carrying a scythe, I’ll cut the Fox! Come out, Fox, here!
The Fox sprang out like a startled bird and fled into the thicket without looking back.
The Rooster did not strike her – his courage was enough to protect his friend.
Since then the Hare and the Rooster have lived together in a warm little house, drinking raspberry tea and recalling how bravery defeats trickery.