Виктор Мазанов – Tales of Wisdom. Insights from Russian Folklore (страница 7)
The Rooster looked out the window— the Fox was invisible. He walked to the door, listened— it was indeed quiet. He opened the door, pecked at the grain… and was instantly caught—the Fox grabbed him and ran away.
The Rooster shouted again:
The Fox carries me
Into dark forests,
Over high mountains,
Across swift rivers!
Dog and Cat, save me!
But the friends were far out in the woods and did not hear.
He shouted even louder:
The Fox carries me
Into dark forests,
Over high mountains,
Through dark pines,
Across swift rivers!
She wants to eat me!
Dog and Cat, save me!
The Cat finally heard the cry, called the Dog, and together they chased the Fox and rescued the Rooster.
The following day the Dog went even deeper into the forest, and the Cat took him a lunch. He warned the Rooster once more:
– Never open the door! Don’t listen to the Fox’s songs! She will deceive you and carry you away. We’ll be so far that we won’t hear or be able to help!
The Cat had just stepped over the threshold when the Fox was already at the window, singing:
Pete, Pete, little rooster,
Golden comb!
Look out the window —
I’ll give you some peas!
But the Rooster, now hardened by bitter experience, did not trust the Fox and stayed silent.
The Fox then tried a different approach:
– What’s this, has Pete finally gone mute?
– No, Fox, you won’t fool me! I won’t look out the window! – the Rooster replied.
The Fox tossed a few peas and some wheat into the window, left the rest on the porch, and sang again:
Pete, Pete, little rooster,
Golden comb,
Look out the window!
My house is big,
And grain piles like a mountain!
You’ll be full and happy —
I’ll give you a red coat!
She added:
– Don’t be afraid, just look at my treasures and riches—and you’ll go back right away! I don’t want to eat you. If I wanted to, I’d have already done it. I just want to see your beauty, hear your songs, and will reward you with gifts!
The Rooster thought, “What if it’s true?” He stuck his head out, and in the same instant the Fox seized him and carried him far to her own home.
No matter how much the Rooster cried, no one heard him or came to his aid.
The Cat and the Dog returned home— the Rooster was missing! They immediately understood that the Fox had taken him. Instead of grieving, they set out to search for him.
They met a Bear and asked:
– Bear, have you seen the Fox?
The Bear shrugged lazily, scratching his back:
– I haven’t seen anyone.
They went on and met a Boar.
– Boar, do you know where the Fox lives?
The Boar only snorted— he was busy looking for acorns:
– I know nothing about her!
Having nothing else to do, they kept looking— until a Hare popped out from behind a bush:
– I know where her house is. I’m very scared—the Fox hunts hares, and I’m afraid she’ll catch me! But the Rooster needs help, and I can’t stand by. For his sake I’ll show you the way!
The Hare led the friends to the Fox’s den. The Dog hid behind the door, and the Cat took out a lute and began to sing, praising the Fox:
Oh, beautiful Fox!
Oh, how radiant you are!
Come out, show yourself,
We admire your fur!
The Fox was pleased— she wanted to see who was flattering her. As she stepped out, the Dog swiftly threw a sack over her and caught her.
– Take her to the village, – said the Cat, – maybe they’ll want a fox’s collar.
The Fox, truly frightened, pleaded:
– Forgive me! Let me go! I’ll never come to your house again!
Meanwhile the Cat slipped into the den and freed the Rooster.
The friends felt a little pity for the cunning Fox:
– All right, we’ll let you go this time. But keep your word— never come near us again!
They released her, and indeed she never approached their cottage again.
From then on the Dog, the Cat and the Rooster lived together happily. The Rooster learned the most important rule: listen to trusted friends and be careful with strangers.