Once upon a time there lived a fisherman named Ki Bener, which means “Straight”. His house stood on the very shore of the sea. Every day Key Bener went fishing, but he had no luck. Why? Yes, simply because his hook was not bent, but straight, so the fish ate the worm and calmly swam away. Either Key Behner didn’t know that he couldn’t catch fish with a straight hook, or he was simply feeding the fish. Or maybe he thought that since his name was Straight, then his hook should be straight. For seven years Key Bener fished for fish, and there were more and more of them.
Finally the fish rajah noticed this. He was very surprised and thought: “Why did I have so many subjects? After all, there are so many of them divorced!” The Raja gathered all his fish people and began asking questions. And the fish answer with one voice:
- O our lord, every day we are fed by a fisherman who lives on the seashore.
- What's his name? - asked the fish rajah.
— Key Boehner.
“In that case, we must thank him,” said the fish rajah. He called a large fish and told it to swallow the diamond, as big as the fruit of a tree, and when Ki Bener came to the shore, as usual, to swim closer and cling to the hook. That’s exactly what happened: when Key Bener felt the weight of a huge fish on the hook, he dragged it. And what was his amazement and joy when he saw a big fat fish struggling on his hook! Ki Bener took it home and said to his wife:
- Dig up some worms for me as soon as possible. Look what a big fish I caught. But we won't eat it.
“Why won’t we?” the wife was surprised.
“Don’t contradict me, but do as I tell you,” answered Ki Bener.
Again Ki Bener went to the sea. He carried a large fish in a basket. Having reached the place on the shore where he usually fished, he sat down and began to wait, not knowing what.
After some time, Key Bener saw a beautiful sailing boat in the sea. He began to call at the top of his voice for the owner of the boat, and he, hearing the cry, landed on the shore.
- Hey, why did you call me? he asked Key Boehner.
- Friend, I caught a big fish. It is too big for me, and I want to give it to the Rajah of the country of Alaspen-tas. Please help me take it to him.
“Okay, give it here,” the boatman agreed.
“Just tell me that this is a gift from Ki Bener, a fisherman who lives on the seashore.” Perhaps the Raja will wish to reward me with delicious food and clothing.
A boat sailed to Alaspentas, and the boatman brought Ki Bener's gift to the Rajah.
On that day, the Raja had just assembled all the servants and slaves to give them orders on the occasion of the festival, which he planned to organize in a few days. Everyone was very surprised by the unexpected appearance of the stranger and even more so by the huge fish that he brought to the rajah.
“Where are you from, what is your name and for what purpose did you come to us?” asked the Raja.
“My lord, your slave is from the country of Udar Biru, and the name of your slave is Setia.” And I arrived here at the request of the fisherman Ki Bener, who lives on the seashore.
“Why did Ki Bener ask you about this?” asked the Raja.
“Because he wants to bring you this fish as a gift,” Setia answered.
Although the Raja was surprised by the gift from the unknown fisherman, he did not show his surprise. “Who knows - maybe it was destined to be so,” he thought and ordered one of his slaves to cut the fish. And what did they see inside? A huge sparkling diamond! The Raja could not stop looking at the stone and finally said to the boatman:
- Hey, boatman, I was glad to get this fish and I want to thank the fisherman.
He ordered seven baskets to be filled with rice, clothing, various goods and money. With all this, the boatman returned to Key Bener.
Ki Bener and his wife were very happy that they had unexpectedly received so many good things. They bought themselves land, livestock, poultry and built a large and beautiful house.
Ki Bener became the richest and most famous person in his country. The rajah of his native land heard about him, burned with black envy and decided to destroy him. He called Ki Bener and asked:
- Hey, Ki Bener, where did you get such wealth?
“This is a gift from Raja Alaspentas, my lord,” answered Ki Bener.
Then the Raja said:
“I once sent people to Alaspentas for one hundred thousand needles, but on the way back my messengers drowned in the sea. I order you to find the sunken needles. If you can't, I'll cut off your head. Now go.
Grief fell on Key Bener's soul. He went to the seashore, where he had previously sat with a fishing rod, and began to shed burning tears.
The Raja of the fish swam up and asked Ki Bener what he was crying about. Key Boehner said.
“Don’t cry, Ki Bener, I will help you,” the fish rajah consoled him.
The lord of the fish ordered his subjects to look for one hundred thousand needles. A little time passed, and all the needles were collected, because fish can easily find anything in their native element.
Ki Bener took the needles and took them to the Rajah. The Raja was very dissatisfied that Ki Bener managed to carry out his order, and began to look for another way to destroy him. Now he ordered Ki Bener to find a green sword in the sea.
Ki Bener became sad and again went, bursting into tears, to the seashore. The king of fish swam up to him again and asked:
- Hey, Key Bener, why are you crying again?
“Oh good fish, my rajah ordered a green sword to be found in the sea.” But how can I find it? After all, the sea is so deep!
“If this is your problem, then you have nothing to grieve about.” I know where the green sword is: it is guarded by a crocodile. Stand on the heads of my subjects and they will take you to him.
Ki Bener did as he was told - he stood on the heads of the fish, and they took him to the place where the crocodile lived. The Raja of the Pisces was already there. The crocodile was very surprised and asked the Raja of the fish:
- Hey, who did you bring here? If my eyes don't deceive me, this is a man. What does he want here?
The Raja of Pisces replied:
— The Raja ordered this man to get a green sword, otherwise his head would be cut off.
The crocodile took pity on Ki Bener and gave him a green sword with the words:
“Tell your rajah that I’m expecting him to visit me next Tuesday.” I will give him a proper meeting.
Ki Bener returned to his rajah with the green sword. Raja was incredibly happy - after all, this sword contained magical power. He presented Ki Bener with various expensive things, and he, satisfied, returned to his home. His wealth increased even more.
On Tuesday, the Raja and his retinue went to the sea. Key Boehner was with them. As soon as the Raja stepped into the water, the crocodile grabbed his leg. The Raja shouted, calling for help, but it was too late. The crocodile dragged him to the bottom, and the rajah drowned. Everyone was scared, Ki Bener felt sorry for the rajah, but many were happy: finally the evil rajah was gone! The vizier approached Ki Bener and said:
- Ki Bener, now we no longer have a rajah. Everyone wants you to become Rajah. What do you say to this?
At first, Key Boehner thought they were laughing at him. But when everyone began to ask him, he agreed. So people made the simple-minded Ki Bener raj, and this happened only because Ki Bener was always straightforward and honest.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru