Виктор Мазанов – Tales of Wisdom. Insights from Russian Folklore (страница 8)
Trust and Caution
– The importance of not trusting strangers, especially when they offer something tempting.
– The need to heed the advice of close people who care about our safety.
Consequences of Disobedience
– Ignoring warnings can lead to dangerous situations.
– Following safety rules is vital, even when they seem boring.
Friendship and Mutual Help
– The Cat and the Dog never abandoned the Rooster in trouble.
– The Hare overcame his fear to help his friends.
Why did the Rooster keep falling for the Fox’s tricks?
How do you think the Hare felt when he decided to help the Dog and the Cat despite his fear?
What safety rules from this tale can be applied in real life?
Did the Dog and the Cat do the right thing by forgiving the Fox at the end of the story?
What would you have done in the Rooster’s place the second and third times the Fox returned?
Cat and Fox
One summer a family went on vacation to their country cottage and took their cat with them. The cottage stood right next to a forest.
At first the cat was frightened by the new surroundings. He didn’t even stick his nose out of the house. But slowly he began to get used to it. First he roamed around the house, then the garden, and finally the whole plot. A new pastime appeared for the cat – catching mice. Living in an apartment he had never known they existed, but in the countryside his hunting instincts awoke.
One sunny morning, as usual, he went out for a stroll in the garden. He was basking in the sun and watching butterflies when he suddenly saw a gray mouse dart past and disappear into the bushes.
“You’re lying! You won’t get away!” thought the cat and lunged after the mouse. The mouse slipped into tall grass, then under the fence, and finally raced straight into the forest. The cat, absorbed in the chase, didn’t notice how deep he had gone into the thicket.
When he finally stopped, he realized he was completely lost. Tall firs and oaks surrounded him. He tried to find the way home, but the more he walked, the deeper into the woods he got. He grew sad, but there was nothing to do, so he kept wandering.
After a while he stumbled upon an old forester’s hut. The house was empty, but the attic was warm and cozy. The cat decided to stay there until he could find his way back. He hunted mice and birds, so he wasn’t hungry, but he missed his own home.
Several days passed. One day, while walking along a forest path, the cat met a beautiful red Fox. The fox had never seen a domestic cat before and was very surprised.
She bowed politely and asked:
– Excuse me, kind stranger, I have lived in this forest for many years, but I have never seen a creature like you. May I ask your name and where you come from?
The cat, who had also never seen a fox, was a little frightened, so he answered:
– My name is Kotofey Ivanovich. I came from the distant Siberian woods to see how you live here.
– Ah, Kotofey Ivanovich! – the fox exclaimed happily. – What a beautiful name! My name is Fox Patrikeevna. Would you like to come to my home?
The cat agreed, and the fox led him to her snug burrow. She offered him forest delicacies, and they chatted pleasantly. The fox liked the clever and kind cat very much.
– Tell me, Kotofey Ivanovich, – the fox asked, – would you like to stay with us? I sometimes feel lonely here.
Kotofey thought it over and accepted. Thus they began to live together as good friends.
The next day the fox went hunting to bring food for lunch. She caught a plump duckling and, pleased, was carrying it home when a gray Wolf appeared.
– Stop, fox! – the wolf growled. – Give me the duckling! I’m hungry!
– Never! – the fox replied boldly. – I’m taking this duckling to my friend Kotofey Ivanovich. He is very fierce and strong. If he finds out you’re hurting me, he’ll be very angry!
– What kind of Kotofey Ivanovich is that? – the wolf asked, surprised. – I’ve never heard of such a creature.
– He has just arrived from distant woods, – the fox explained. – A very formidable and mighty beast! It’s better not to meet him.
The wolf became a little frightened and wanted to find out who this beast was.
– How can I approach him without making him angry?
– Bring him a gift, – the fox continued. – Place a little lamb by the old oak near the stream, but hide yourself so Kotofey Ivanovich doesn’t see you, or he’ll get angry and eat you!
The wolf ran off to find a lamb.
The fox kept running home and met a brown Bear who also wanted the duckling.
– Fox, let’s share! – the bear boomed. – The duckling is big; it will be enough for both of us!
– No, bear, – the fox said firmly. – I’m taking this duckling to my friend Kotofey Ivanovich. He is very strong and fierce. If he learns you’ve harmed me, he may get angry!
– Who is this Kotofey Ivanovich? – the bear asked, puzzled. – I’ve never heard of such a creature.
– He came from faraway lands, – the fox explained. – Very powerful and fearsome! It’s better not to tangle with him.
The bear, like the wolf, became a little scared but also wanted to see this beast.
– All right, – the fox agreed. – Bring a calf to the old oak by the stream. The wolf already promised to bring a lamb. Just hide well so Kotofey Ivanovich doesn’t see you, or he’ll get angry and eat you!
The bear set off to fetch the calf.
Soon the wolf and the bear met at the appointed spot. The wolf carried the lamb, the bear the calf. They began to argue about who should go call the fox and her fearsome friend.
– You go, bear, – said the wolf. – You’re braver.
– No, you go, – replied the bear. – What if this Kotofey Ivanovich really is as scary as they say?
At that moment a Hare ran by. The bear called out to him:
– Hey, hare! Come here!
The hare was frightened but hopped over.
– Do you know where the fox lives? – asked the bear.
– I do, – answered the hare. – Run to her quickly and tell her the bear and the wolf are waiting with their friend Kotofey Ivanovich at the old oak, and they have brought gifts.
The hare sprinted to the fox at full speed. Meanwhile the bear and the wolf tried to decide where to hide.
– I’ll climb the oak, – decided the bear.
– What should I do? – the wolf worried. – I can’t climb trees! Hide me somewhere, please!
The bear helped the wolf hide in a pile of dry leaves under a bush, then climbed to the very top of the oak and began to watch from above.
The hare arrived at the fox and delivered the invitation.