They say that once upon a time two brothers lived on the same island. The eldest was called Kalu - Black, and the youngest was Lalu - Red. The brothers lost their parents early and survived on their modest earnings. Kalu caught fish in the sea and traded it, and Lalu worked in the field.
When Kalu brought his catch, Lalu chose the best fish from it and cooked it for lunch or dinner. At dinner, Kalu told his brother about his adventures at sea, about the vast sea elements.
“The sea,” he said, “is as beautiful a world as our land.” It is home to various fish, and divers extract pearls from the bottom of the sea. And if a diver is lucky and finds a good pearl, traders pay a lot of money for it.
Lalu, having heard enough of his brother’s stories, began to beg him:
- Brother, let me try myself at sea. Maybe I can get out of poverty and get rich.
But Kalu always found an excuse to refuse him. Finally one day, when Lalu was especially persistent, Kalu said:
- Okay, today I’ll work in the field instead of you. And you take my net and go fishing. At the same time you will admire the sea. Just make sure you don't lose it. You know, she is very expensive and without her we won’t be able to catch anything.
Lalu took the net and set off. He moved away from the shore, cast his net and began to wait. A little later he chose it, but it turned out to be empty. I cast it a second time, but again there wasn’t a single fish in the net. This was repeated several more times, and still without success. “I’ll throw in one last time,” he thought. “If I don’t find anything, I’ll return home.”
He swung and threw the net into the sea with all his might. But she escaped from his hands and immediately, before his eyes, plunged into the sea.
Lalu was very worried. Now he could not return home, he knew that his brother would beat him.
Evening came and Lalu was still not there. Kalu became worried and went to look for his brother. He sees Lalu sitting by the seashore.
-Where is your catch? Show me,” he said.
“There was no fish in the net,” answered Lalu.
- Okay, give me the net. There is still time. I'll show you how to fish.
“And I drowned the net in the sea,” answered Lalu, sobbing. Kalu became angry and said:
- Don't come home until you get her back.
For whole days Lalu now sat on the seashore and waited - suddenly some wave would have mercy on him and throw the net onto the shore. But the waves successively rolled up to his feet and rolled back.
So Lalu sat on the seashore for ten days. And all this time he repeated the prayer:
- O master of the seas and fish! I don’t need precious pearls, just give me back my brother’s net!
So he was reading a prayer, closing his eyes tightly, when suddenly someone put a hand on his shoulder. Lalu opened his eyes and saw: a handsome white-bearded old man stood in front of him and said:
- Lalu, you won’t get the network back. Don't be sad. You better listen to my advice, and you’ll get your network back.
The old man disappeared, but immediately appeared again. In his hands was an armful of reeds and straw. He sat down with Lalu and began to weave a large basket.
When the basket was ready, he ordered Lal to climb into it and said:
- Lalu, I am the master of sea tornadoes, ebbs and flows. I know all the hidden corners in the sea. Get into this basket. I'll throw it into the waves. But don't be afraid. She will take you straight to the king of the sea. When you appear before him, ask for your net, and he will return it to you.
Lalu closed his eyes in fear. The basket quickly sank into the depths of the sea, and soon Lalu felt that it had stopped. Lalu opened his eyes and saw: he was standing in front of a magnificent palace, and the royal courtiers were around him.
The most important nobleman ordered to admit him into the bright eyes of the king. They took Lala to the sea lord. He bowed to the lord of the sea. The king graciously responded to his greeting and said that this son of the human race was his personal guest, and ordered that he be placed in the chambers of the royal palace and that any of his wishes be fulfilled unquestioningly.
And the sea king had a daughter whose name was Moryana. She settled Lala in a room adjacent to her personal chambers. Moryana kept Lala with her, walked with him, ran through the wonderful gardens, played and danced. The king also liked him, and he constantly showed signs of attention to the earthling. In short, soon the wedding of Lalu and Moryana took place. Lalu began to live in bliss and luxury. He had completely forgotten that he had come here to return the net, as he had promised his older brother.
Three years flew by unnoticed. And then one night I saw Lala in a dream of that venerable old man. And the elder said to him:
“Lalu, you are so mired in luxury and pleasure that you even forgot about the word you gave to your elder brother. Get up, take the net and return home immediately.
Lalu saw this dream and immediately remembered his promise. Now he walked around sad all the time. One day Moryana asked him why he was so sad. Lalu told her about his misadventures and added that he could not return home without a net.
As soon as Moryana found out about this, she immediately told her father about the misfortune that had befallen her husband. The king ordered everyone living in the sea to immediately find this net and deliver it to the palace.
Before they had time to give the order, she was already in the royal palace.
By order of the sea king, the net was richly decorated with pearls and precious stones, and golden bells were attached to it. The king ordered Lal to give this net from him as a gift to his brother.
“But remember, as soon as you hand over this network, come back immediately, Moryanaya and I will be looking forward to seeing you.”
And he immediately ordered the turtle to bring Lala to the shore.
With all precautions and due honor, Lala was brought to land.
With the net on his shoulders, Lalu happily headed home and handed over the tackle to his brother. And it was not so much the meeting with his brother that made Kala happy as the wealth that he unexpectedly acquired.
Lalu lived in his home for several days, and then began to prepare to return to the underwater kingdom. He came to the shore and saw: his Moryana was standing on the shallows, and in her arms was a beautiful baby.
“Lalu,” said Moryana, “you made me wait for a very long time.” You forget your promises too easily. You see, I have your son in my arms. This is a child of two elements - sea and land. For the first time he came out of the sea onto the shore. Build a hut on the border of land and water, my son and I will live in it. But remember: never enter the hut until I call you. Don't you dare violate this condition. Otherwise you will be in big trouble. And if you pass this test, great luck awaits you.
Lalu promised to do everything as she said, and he himself settled next to his wife and son. Moryana came out of her shelter once a day to look at him.
But one day Moryana did not leave the hut. Lalu became worried and began to have bad premonitions. And when he could no longer fight his anxiety, he broke his vow and entered the hut. Seeing her husband, Moryana became angry, began to scold him in every possible way, and before her eyes she turned into an ugly, old and terrible witch. Lalu trembled with horror, and Moryana angrily cursed him and ordered him to immediately get out of the hut.
“You people don’t know how to keep your word!” - she shouted. -You lied to your brother. He still hasn't forgiven you. I will never forgive you either. I won’t live with you and will go home right away.
With these words, Moryana grabbed the child and jumped into the sea, and Lalu remained standing on the shore.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru