One day Burkhan gathered all the animals for a council, and at this council the animals decided to elect a king for themselves.
They offered the owl to become king. However, it turned out that her eyes, although very large, did not see during the day. That's why the animals didn't make the owl their king. The animals did not make the hare king either - they decided: he was too cowardly. The elk also did not agree to become king:
“I’m being chased by a wolf, which means he’s stronger than me.” Then they offered it to the bear. Bear said:
- Brothers, how can you appoint me king when, looking for food for myself, I was even late for this advice?
- Oh so! - said the animals. - You're late! We will punish you for this. As punishment, you will be imprisoned underground for six months a year.
And the animals made the cuckoo king.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru