Once upon a time there lived a husband and wife. When they were young, they lived well, amicably, and never quarreled. But then old age came, and they began to argue with each other more and more often. The old man will say a word to the old woman, and she is two to him, he is two to her, and she is five to him, he is five, and she is ten. And such a quarrel begins between them that you might as well run away from the hut. And they will start to figure it out - no one is to blame.
- What are we doing, old woman, huh? - asked the old man.
- Yes, it’s you, old man, you’re everything!
- I? Isn't it you? With your long tongue?
- Not me, but you!
- You, not me!
And again the quarrel began.
So the old woman began to think what to do? What should I do? How to live with the old man further? She went to her neighbor and told her about her trouble. The neighbor told her:
- I can help your grief. I have some magic water. When the old man starts screaming, take some of this water into your mouth. But, be careful, don’t swallow it, but keep it in your mouth until he calms down... And everything will be fine.
And she gave the old woman water in a bottle. The old woman thanked her and went home.
As soon as she entered the house, the old man immediately began shouting:
-Where have you been? What did you do? It’s high time to put on the samovar and drink tea, but you’re not here!
The old woman wanted to answer him, but she remembered the advice, took water from the bottle into her mouth and did not swallow it, but began to hold it in her mouth. The old man realized that the old woman was not answering and fell silent himself. The old woman was delighted: “Apparently, this water is really magical!”
She hid the bottle of magic water and began to set up the samovar.
-What are you making noise there? - the old man shouted. - You don’t know how to put on a samovar!
And the old woman wanted to answer him, but she remembered her neighbor’s advice and again took some water into her mouth.
The old man saw that the old woman was not answering him a word, he was surprised and... fell silent.
Since then, they stopped quarreling and began to live as in their younger years. And all because as soon as the old man starts screaming, the old woman immediately takes the magic water into her mouth. Look, what power she has!
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru