The hyena and the baboon quarreled and went to the judge so that he could judge them. They told him in detail about their case, and the judge was saddened, not knowing what to do. “If I pronounce a verdict not in favor of the baboon, he will destroy all my crops in one day and my entire harvest will be lost, but if I pronounce a verdict not in favor of the lady hyena, she will destroy all my livestock in one day,” he thought.
After thinking, he said:
“The elders should sort this out, but I can’t help you.” Go to the elders and they will judge you.
And he, telling them the names of the elders, sent them to them.
The hyena and the baboon came to where he directed them and said:
- Our fathers! We quarreled among ourselves and went to the judge. We told him in detail what the quarrel was about, and he told us that such a matter should be decided by the elders, not the judge, and only the elders could judge us. So we came to you in the hope that you will judge us.
The elders listened to what Lady Hyena and Mr. Baboon told them, and, thoughtfully, became sad, not knowing what to do.
“After all, the judge sent them to us because he understood: if he pronounces a verdict against the baboon, he will devastate his crops, and if he condemns the hyena, it will eat his cattle.” The same thing will happen to us: if we condemn the baboon, then our entire harvest will be eaten in one day, but if we condemn the hyena, it will eat our cattle,” the elders reasoned.
Then they remembered that there was a poor old man in the village who had neither cattle nor field and had nothing to lose, and they said to the hyena and the baboon:
“We have one wise old man who can judge you better than we can.” This is where you go.
The hyena and the baboon had no choice but to go to this old man and tell him everything.
Well, a poor man is always sincere and kind. So he decided to reconcile them.
The old man said to the baboon:
“Go there and sit there until I question the lady hyena.”
When the baboon had gone a long distance, the old man said to the hyena.
“Mistress Hyena, how can this be?” How is it that you, such a young fellow, get into an argument with such a shabby monkey? This surprises me! You have such a booming voice! You are so strong that you can carry a horse or a mule alone. How can you stand next to and talk to this muzzle! Even if he offends you, do not lose your dignity, give in and do not quarrel, do not start a lawsuit. Better calm down and make peace with him!
- Yes, you’re right. When I have no one to talk to and I go down to the ravine to talk to him, I feel nothing but disgust for him. And now, as you advised me, I’d better give in and make peace with him. Now no one will see me next to him,” said the hyena, amazed at his wisdom, and left.
Then the old man called the baboon and said to him reproachfully:
- Mister baboon, you are such a fine fellow, and in front of all the people you start arguing with this insignificant carrion eater! This really surprises me. And aren't you ashamed?! After all, you have the same formidable appearance as a lion, and when you, surrounded by your children, walk, waddling from side to side, you look like a nobleman accompanied by a retinue. When you appear on the edge of a ravine, you are as terrifying as a warrior raising his spear to strike. You know what people say about you when you are just appearing in the distance. “Here he is!” - they say. And now you've reached the point where you're talking to this gluttonous, carrion-eating coward. And aren't you ashamed? How headless you are, brother! Well, okay, what’s past is past, but in the future, even if she offends you, you give in and don’t quarrel with her and don’t lose your dignity!
- Certainly! Now everything is clear to me. I lost my dignity and I am guilty. “I’d better go and give in and make peace,” said Mr. Baboon, agreeing with the old man.
And the poor man, having gathered them together, asked:
- Well, now make up, as I told you?
“Yes,” they answered and bowed low to him.
Then he said to them goodbye:
- Well, go home and don’t quarrel anymore! When it comes to defending justice, you should not think about your own benefit.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru