In ancient times, an old man lived in a mountain village with his family - his wife, sons, daughters and daughters-in-law.
He woke up early one morning and saw that deep snow had fallen overnight. An old man came out of the saklya, and a fresh trail was trampled across the yard towards the gate.
“Who is it that left our yard just before dawn?” – the old man became alarmed and followed the trail.
He walked and walked and walked for a long time, and the trail led him to a field, and in the field there grew a thick rosehip bush, and at this bush the trail broke off.
-Who are you? – the old man called, bending over the bush. - Answer! You left my house, didn't you?
“I am your Happiness,” answered a voice from the bush. - I'm leaving you! But if you have caught up with me, tell me what to leave you: cattle, or land, or expensive clothes?
- Wait for me here, my Happiness! - the old man begged. “I’ll go home and consult with my family.”
Happiness agreed. The old man hurried home and told about the trouble. The whole family began to follow the advice. They thought for a long time, but could not come to an agreement. The wife says - we need to ask for cattle, sons - land, daughters - rich clothes.
Finally they asked the youngest daughter-in-law. And she said:
- Ask for a namys!
[Namys – spiritual nobility.]
- The truth is yours, daughter! – the old man exclaimed joyfully.
– She’s right! – the whole family agreed.
The old man hurried along the trail into the field and came to a rosehip bush.
- Happiness! - he shouted, - Take everything with you - land, livestock, and clothes! Just leave a manor for our house.
“You tied me hand and foot,” answered Happiness. - Where there is a landfill, there I am. I can't leave you now.
Happiness returned to the old man’s house, and from then on his family lived in contentment and peace.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru