It was a warm summer day. There was a slight wind blowing. Leaning towards each other, the birch sisters, the cedar brothers, and the rich and glorious family of pines and larches were tenderly talking to each other. The waterfalls were noisy. Winding and bending around the mountains, they ran through the valleys and creeks of the river. The lakes sparkled like bright silver bowls.
A capercaillie and a pike met. Pike, a strong and predatory fish, looked at him importantly and said:
“You’re all flying through the forest, but I’m just swimming on water.” Although you have wings, my fins are better: I move faster than you...
The capercaillie was surprised, the braggart answered:
“Well, let’s try our hand: who will be at that place first,” and pointed to a large stone sticking out of the water on the opposite shore of the lake.
The competition has begun. The capercaillie arrived earlier and is sitting on a stone. The pike was late. Angry, she shot at the wood grouse and hit his legs.
That is why the wood grouse’s leg bones now seem to be split, fused together after crushing.
And the Tofalars also say: don’t try to argue where it’s not necessary, you’ll be left in the cold. Everything has its place in the world.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru