In former times, the raven and the eagle owl were not at enmity, as they are now, but were best friends.
The raven, a beautiful bird, often made fun of the ugly eagle owl and laughed at his bulging eyes. True, he knew that the owl was not only ugly, but also hot-tempered, but at every meeting he began to tease the owl:
- Oh, friend owl, I’m embarrassed to speak, and I can’t remain silent. Every time you meet me, your eyes widen too much! You already have them bulging out, but when you start staring at them, you become so ugly that you simply don’t have the strength to look! I think there is no other monster like him in the whole world!
At first, the owl restrained himself and forgave his friend everything. But then it began to repeat itself too often, and he could no longer endure it and one day answered:
“Here you are, raven, you keep teasing me.” And you should look at yourself first: all black, and your voice is so sickening to listen to. If you look at everything properly, then there is nothing worthy in you. I know you well! I don’t want to quarrel with you, but it’s not easy to be friends either! And here’s my advice: before you mock others, you’d better take a look at yourself!
- Don't be offended, friend owl! - answered the raven. “I’m not teasing you out of malice.” And as for my black plumage - I myself know this very well. You want to say that I am also ugly. And although I am black, I am not one of the simple ones! I am of noble birth. And you are simple. That’s why your eyes are so bulging that it’s scary to look at.
Owl was greatly offended by this speech.
- Friend of the crows! - he decided to brag too. - Again you reproach me with my eyes. But you don’t know everything about me, otherwise you wouldn’t tease me. So listen. Those who have bulging eyes are also not of a simple race, but of the most valiant and brave. They can handle any feat. Remember this well!
Raven just laughed in response:
- It doesn’t hurt, it looks like the truth, friend owl! It would be better if you didn’t boast about your valiant family! We've known each other for a long time! And I can definitely say only one thing about you: your eyes are bulging.
- Well, don’t tell me tales about your noble family! - the owl got angry. “I also know that your family has nothing to do with the nobility.”
- How can you know this? - The raven was indignant.
“If your family were truly noble, you would not have such low habits: every day I see how you pick up and peck at human waste.”
“And if I like it?” the raven revealed himself: out of surprise, he didn’t even immediately find what to answer. “Well, what about you?” - he hurried. - If you are so brave, then why don’t you show your nose out all day, but bury yourself in a hollow tree until dark?
After the raven admitted his base habits, the owl, although with shame, also answered truthfully:
“It’s scary to go out, so I’m sitting here.”
After that, he could no longer restrain himself and began to abuse the raven in every possible way, and then he used his beak. Raven also did not remain in debt.
Since then, the raven and the eagle owl became enemies for life and death.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru