Once upon a time, nymphs lived in the same cave. From time to time they came out from the depths of their home and staged dances, accompanied by melodious songs. One day a rude village shepherd came to the clearing in front of the cave. Seeing him, the nymphs got scared and hid in a cave. But their fear passed rather quickly. The nymphs again entered the clearing, and, although the shepherd was still there, they, without paying any attention to him, again began to dance in a merry round dance. The shepherd began to mock them. Imitating them, he jumped around awkwardly, and instead of singing a song, he began to abuse the nymphs with monstrous rustic abuse. The beauties fled, but decided to take revenge on the rude man. The nymphs called on the gods for help, and they heard them: the shepherd’s body began to grow overgrown with tree bark. But the shepherd did not stop his insults even then. And only when the wood had already closed his mouth was he forced to remain silent. His whole body has turned into a wild olive, and the bitterness of its fruit is reminiscent of the rough tongue of the shepherd.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru