One deaf peasant lost his goats. After a long search, he met a farmer in the field who was also deaf. The peasant began to talk with the farmer using his hands and facial expressions. “Good afternoon, brother,” the peasant began, “have you seen my goats?” “Hello, hello,” answered the farmer. - Thank you, my sons are alive and well. “There were seven of them, and one of them had a broken horn.” - What should I do? — the farmer responded with a movement of his head. “My oxen are very tired today,” he pointed around with his hand: “I couldn’t plow more than that.” - How long has it been since you saw my goats grazing? “And this plot nearby was plowed yesterday.” - Don’t know which way you went? - Which area are you asking about? About what's next to the dogwood tree? This area was plowed yesterday. And tomorrow,” he pointed with his hand, “I’ll plow that area that’s visible.”
Yeees? Did you go that way? “Thank you, brother, if I find my goats where you indicated, then I give you my word that I will give you the one with the broken horn,” said the peasant and left.
Luckily for the peasant, the goats were where the farmer pointed. The peasant was delighted, drove his goats and, going up to the farmer and taking the goat with a broken horn by the ear, exclaimed: “I am the master of my word, take it, brother; this goat, you deserve it. - Eh! What are you saying? - the farmer answered in fear: - Why exactly did I break the horn of this goat? - Look at him, he’s still asking why. I don't know anything. I promised to give you this goat. “Believe me, I didn’t break her horns.” “It can’t be helped, I promised this goat, take it.” “Listen, man of God,” the farmer got angry. “I said it wasn’t me who broke it.” “You can say it a thousand times, but since I promised this goat with a broken horn, and you don’t believe it, let’s go to the tanuter, let him judge us.” Let's go, what are you worth?
Fortunately, this time they understood each other. Taking the goat with the broken horn, they went to the tanuteru. But they came to him at the moment when the tanuter, having quarreled with his wife, was leaving his house. The peasant told his story long or short, and the tiller told his story. Tanuter, upset by a quarrel with his wife, shouted: “What are you saying?” What? Bring me not only this goat, but even all seven goats, I still won’t put up with my wife.
It turns out that the tanuter himself was deaf.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru