Three travelers walked along a deserted road, one after another. Bad weather overtook them: a strong wind blew, snow began to fall, and a blizzard howled. With every minute the blizzard raged stronger and stronger, and the nearest village was still far away.
What were the three travelers to do? The one who walked ahead decided to wait out the bad weather in the old empty temple. And the second traveler and the third also decided to take refuge in the temple. That's how they all ended up together.
It was already dusk, but the storm did not subside, but grew stronger and stronger. The travelers were completely chilled. “What cold weather!” “There is no more patience...” said the first. “My arms and legs are numb,” noted the second. “If this continues, we may freeze completely,” added the third.
Then everyone was silent, and the first one began again: “If only we could bring some brushwood and light a fire, we would warm up.” “Yes!” That would be very good! - said the second. - Yes, yes, of course! - agreed the third. “If we could bring some brushwood, we could spend the night here.”
All three just talked, but no one moved from their place to bring brushwood. And the frost grew stronger and stronger.
Then the first turned to the second: “Go, neighbor, for some brushwood!” I would bring it myself, but my legs hurt.
And the second said to the third: “My stomach hurts a lot, go get some brushwood.”
But the third turned to the first: “You better go, otherwise my head is spinning, I can barely stand on my feet.”
So we talked. All three were healthy, but they were very afraid to do even a little more than the other.
The first thought: “I’m not their servant and I won’t go for brushwood.”
“You’re not going, and I’m not going. What, do I need more than anyone else?” - thought the second one.
"Why should I go get the firewood? Let someone else do it!" - thought the third.
It's already midnight. The wind is howling, the frost is getting stronger. And each of the travelers thinks: “It’s impossible to endure such a cold any longer! When will someone finally go get some brushwood?”
But everyone was freezing and did not move.
And in the morning, three frozen travelers were found in the temple.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru