One day, the forest animals of the field argued which of them was older and deserved more respect. Each of them said:
- I am the oldest living creature! They argued long and heatedly and finally decided
contact the judge. The animals went to the spider Anansi.
“Kwaku Anansi, we can’t decide which of us deserves the most respect.” Listen to us!
Anansi ordered his children to bring him a nut shell, sat down on it with great dignity, like a tribal leader on a carved chair, and began to listen.
The guinea fowl started first:
- I swear, I’m telling the real truth! I am the oldest of all living beings. There was a great forest fire when I was born. No one in the world but me could put it out! But I was not afraid of the flame and trampled the fire. I was badly burned then, and, as you can see for yourself, my legs are still red.
The animals looked at the guinea fowl's legs and saw that they were indeed red. And then everyone exclaimed at once!
- Yes, yes! She's older than all of us! Then the parrot spoke:
- I swear that I'm telling the truth! The oldest of all living beings is me. When I was born, there were no tools or tools yet. I made the first one
hammer for blacksmiths; I hit the iron with my beak, beating the iron, which is why my beak became crooked.
“What should we do?” the raven was confused. “The water is coming!”
- Large carp! - he begged. - Let me go! I'll drown!
The crabs are silent, at least one would respond.
- Oh, what a stream is disappearing! - The raven sighed. - I just flew in to give you that stream, but I started babbling about something, kra-kra...
- What stream? “Where is he?” the crabs became alarmed and immediately released the raven.
“Come on, I’ll see you off,” the raven laughed and, flapping his wings, flew along the shore.
And the few brave souls who followed him quickly knocked off their shoes on the rocks and returned.
A raven flew along the shore and suddenly saw a fish. “Someone lost it,” the raven decided and began to feast on it. I ate and flew. It flies and shines in the sun: the scales are stuck to the feathers, so it shines. A raven is watching, a bear is standing on the shore, skinning a deer.
“Kra-kra,” the raven called to him. The bear raised his head and was surprised:
- What's wrong with you, raven? And the raven answered:
- Sorry bear, I'm in a hurry. You see, I didn’t even have time to clean myself.
- What happened? - the bear is not far behind.
- Oh, I'm afraid you won't have time, clubfoot. There’s so much of it there!.. Enough for the whole winter, unless, of course, they take it away...
-What are you talking about? About fish? — the bear finally guessed.
“Well, yes,” the raven rejoiced. “Run quickly, and I’ll look after the deer.”
The bear hurried to the fish, and the raven calmly began to take care of the deer. He ate his fill and flew away, only he was seen. The bear returned angry and tired, but the crow had disappeared:
flew away from the shore so that the bear would not find it. And he wanted berries: after fish and venison, it would be nice to enjoy some berries.
The raven flew to the squirrel. He sat down near her house and began to wait. And here is a squirrel with a basket jumping on the branches, in a hurry to get home. He looks and sees a raven sitting on the threshold.
“Move aside, please,” the squirrel asks the crow. “I have hungry squirrels there.”
“Nothing,” the raven waved his wing. - We haven’t seen each other for so many years, kra... Better tell us, what’s the news? Did you hear someone made the bear angry? They say that he is now angry with the whole world, kra... Why are you silent?
“The baby squirrels are waiting for me, let them in,” the squirrel asked again. -I'll be back soon. I bring them food.
“Yes, I’m in a hurry myself,” the raven assured her. “It was only because of you that I was delayed.” And what berries you have! One is better than the other!
The raven glanced sideways at the basket, and the squirrel looked at him. He looks and says:
- You know what, let's dance! And then I'll treat you to some berries, okay?
- Fine! - The raven was happy. “It’s just a pity, there’s no music, and I’m in a hurry.” Let's start right with the berries, shall we?
“Ha ha ha,” the squirrel laughed. - Yes, you probably don’t even know how to dance!
“Well, yes,” the raven was offended. - Do you know how musical we crows are?
“We too,” said the squirrel proudly. - Let me sing, and you dance. Let's see how you do!
- Kra! - The raven flapped its wings. - I can do it with my eyes closed. Get started!
And the raven, closing his eyes, circled over the tree. And the squirrel immediately darted into its house.
- How can you! - the raven then became indignant. “Such a little thing and such a liar.”
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru