“It’s enough for me to turn around myself once to get enough,” said the Sheep.
“And to get enough food, I need to go around the whole area,” said the Goat.
One day the Goat strayed from the herd and wandered into a remote valley. It was midday, the time when all nature freezes, exhausted by the heat. A jackal, who happened to be passing there, saw the reflection of a Goat in the river water and, deciding that it was the Goat itself, jumped to grab it. But, of course, he didn’t catch anyone, he just got wet. Dissatisfied with himself, the Jackal climbed ashore and then noticed a Goat calmly eating young shoots on a fig tree.
- Glory to the Almighty, sister! - he exclaimed. “And I thought that you were drowning in this pool.” Come down, let's go together!
“I’m afraid that you will eat me,” answered the Goat.
-Swear that you won’t touch me, then I’ll go with you.
Is it difficult for a Jackal to swear! He assured the Goat that he would not even approach her, and they walked together. The jackal walked ahead. Every now and then he stopped, turned around, wanted to make sure that the Goat had not run away. After some time he told her:
- You laugh at my gait and my ugly legs!
- What are you saying? — the Goat was indignant.
-Well, let me go ahead.
And they continued on their way. Now the Jackal followed the Goat, and she walked in front of him, as if dancing. The temptation was too great. The jackal was drooling.
“You’re throwing dust at me,” he grumbled. “You’ve completely covered me with dust and yet you’re mimicking me.” We should kick you! !
- Ax, ax! You're looking for a fight! - exclaimed the Goat.
-But I can’t cope with you. If you want, then eat me, but not here, but at the White Stone. Give me your word. :
Jackal agreed. And they moved on. They soon reached the White Stone, where a herd of goats usually grazed at midday. If not for the Jackal, the Goat herself would not have found the way there. And at the White Stone, a shepherd dog rushed at the Jackal. She rolled him into the dust and gave him such a beating that he barely lost his legs. The Jackal ran and scolded the cunning Goat for all it was worth.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru