Once upon a time there lived a lazy and stupid man. I didn’t have wealth and didn’t want to work. And he was healthy and... strong. Some will beg for a drink, some for food, some for old clothes for clothes. So I got by and forgot both shame and conscience. His neighbors were kind and did not refuse help, although they did not like the fact that he begged. As soon as they noticed him, they would laugh: “Ah, the parasite is coming.” Will he beg for something?
And the parasite doesn’t seem to notice the ridicule, he keeps begging. Finally, everyone is tired of him, and not only do they want to help him, they don’t even want to talk to him. Life has become difficult for the parasite, but he still doesn’t want to work; and strives to steal something wherever possible. Then everyone hated him and completely turned away from him.
The elders shamed him, and the children, seeing him, squealed and screamed. The angry parasite grumbled: “Cruel people!” They don't feel sorry for the poor man. I’ll go ask the Almighty to help me!
He went and found a secluded place... He stretched out his hands to the sky and began to pray: “God the peacemaker!” Give me, the poor and beggar, something to live on. I waited and waited, but nothing came of it. He repeated the request a second, third time. “Ha-ha-ha-ha!” — was suddenly heard not far away. - Open your mouth wider!
He turned around and saw that children from all over the village had gathered, mocking him and laughing. The parasite was ashamed: “You can’t hide from these scoffers!” I’ll go higher into the mountains - there I’ll be closer to God and further away from people.
Off I went. He walked, walked, and saw a wolf coming towards him. “Where are you going, man?” “To God,” answers the parasite. “If so, then find out from him: why is it that I eat all kinds of meat, but don’t get fat?” What to eat to gain weight? “I’ll wait for you until you return.” “Okay,” the parasite answered and walked away. He walked and walked and saw an oak tree. “Hey man, where are you going?” - asked the oak tree. - To God. - If so, find out from him why one side of me is drying up? - Good, - the parasite answered and went. He walked and walked and reached the river. “Hey, man, where are you going?” - the fish screamed in the water. - To God. - If so, find out from him why my left eye is going blind? - Good, - the parasite answered and went. The parasite reached the mountain, climbed to the very top, and saw a deer. “Hey, man, why did you climb here?” “I have little business with God, that’s why I climbed.” It is known that the deer is a kind animal, so he says to the parasite: “This is the top of the mountain, and if you want to go even higher, then climb up my branchy antlers.” The parasite was delighted, jumped on the deer’s back and had just begun to climb up the antlers when he heard: “Hey, inhabitant of the earth, where are you climbing?” “To you, the Most High!” “Tell me what you need?” “There is nothing to live on.” Please, give me something to live with! - Come back, your happiness awaits you on the way.
The parasite told God what the wolf, oak and fish asked for. I found out everything, thanked God, said goodbye to the deer and returned.
The parasite is walking, he can’t feel his feet under him from happiness. He doesn’t walk, he flies, he wants to meet his happiness on the way. He reached the river. “What, did you find out?” - asked the fish. “You have a diamond stuck in your left fin, take it out, and your eye will see clearly,” said the parasite. “If you have done good, then help me - take out the diamond,” said the fish.
The parasite pulled out the diamond - the fish's eye regained its sight. In gratitude, the fish gave the diamond to the parasite, but he threw it into the water with contempt. “What do I need it for?” My happiness awaits me on the way! - the parasite exclaimed and left. - What a fool! - said the fish and dived into the water. The parasite walked and walked and reached an oak tree. - Did you find out what? - asked the oak tree. - Well, in the side where you are drying, there is a treasure buried, take it out and you will turn green again.
Oak asked for help. The parasite began to dig and dug out a large cauldron full of gold and silver. The oak tree turned green, and in gratitude he gave the parasite everything that was in the cauldron. “I will begin to carry such a heavy load when happiness awaits me on the way!” - he said, pushed the cauldron with his foot and threw it off the slope. - What a fool, - the oak tree rustled, - he didn’t want wealth, so at least he would have left it to someone else. This won't do any good!
The parasite reached the wolf. “What good are you bringing me back?” — asked the wolf. “Eat human meat and you’ll get fat,” answered the parasite. “But here he is, a man!” - said the wolf and grabbed the parasite.
The next day, the shepherds picked up scraps of clothing in the forest and brought them to the village. They were recognized, and although no one loved the parasite, everyone was still saddened by his unfortunate end. One smart old man said as an edification to the young: This life is a test; laziness is a shame. The life and death of a lazy person is pitiful and funny.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru