It was a very long time ago, when none of the pale-faced people had yet walked on the land of the Indians. The leader of one of the northern tribes had a daughter. People came from far and wide to look at her. The girl's face was as bright as a summer day, and her eyes sparkled like stars. That's why they gave her a name - Shining Eyes.
Over the years, Shining Eyes has grown into a beautiful girl. Only her speech became colder and her gaze more arrogant. Then people began to call her differently - Proud Beauty. The old leader shook his head, but his daughter liked the new name.
The fame of the girl’s beauty flew throughout the Indian villages, and many brave warriors brought gifts to the leader’s wigwam, hoping to become related to him. The proud Beauty looked at the furs or jewelry, but did not seem to notice those who brought them.
- Whose wigwam do you want to enter? - the old leader asked her one day. - Tell me, because many are waiting for your decision.
- Oh, there is no one worthy among them! - answered the Proud Beauty. “The one with the fish eyes can’t become my husband!” Or the one with the nose like a drake! - And the girl laughed loudly. “And this one, look, his name is Big Eagle,” she continued. “There are so many feathers in his headband, as if he had accomplished all the feats in the world!” Why is he now afraid to even lift a finger? Maybe it froze like a river in winter? Then another name would be more suitable for him - Big Ice Floe!
Not a single muscle moved on the warrior’s face. He approached the old leader and said quietly:
- I'm leaving.
“Are you offended by my daughter’s ridicule?”
- She will regret this. Goodbye! The sun rose three times before the dogs carried Big Eagle to the camp of his tribe. Everyone in the camp was preparing to move south.
- Get ready quickly, we are leaving these places! - the men shouted to the Big Eagle as he drove through the village.
“Don’t wait for me, I’ll catch up with you,” he answered.
The next morning, when the last team disappeared into the forest, Big Eagle, whispering spells, began to sculpt something out of the snow. He worked for a long time, and when he finished, among the deserted village stood the figure of a warrior, dressed as befits a young Indian. Big Eagle looked into the face of the snow idol for a long time, then slowly said:
- Listen to me and remember! You are a great warrior, your name is Muuvi. You were born far, far in the north, where ice and snow never melt. Your heart is made of ice, it does not know love or pity.
“Yes,” said the revived Muuvi.
- I will take you to the village where a girl lives, whose name is Proud Beauty. You will take her as your wife.
“So be it,” responded the man from the snow.
And both immediately set off. By the evening of the third day, the Big Eagle sleigh stopped not far from the wigwam of the Proud Beauty.
“Go,” the Indian ordered quietly.
“I will fulfill your will,” Muuvi answered.
As soon as he entered the old leader’s dwelling, all eyes turned to him.
- Here he is! - Proud Beauty whispered to her father. “I agree to call him my husband!”
The old leader arranged a magnificent wedding for his daughter. When the fun was over, Muuvi announced that he must immediately go back to his tribe.
“We will leave tomorrow at dawn,” said the Proud Beauty.
“I’m leaving now, and you can stay if you want.” “My warriors will come for you in the spring,” said Muuvi.
And then people saw the Proud Beauty cry for the first time.
Then Big Eagle came up to Muuvi and said something to him.
“Let it be your way, woman,” Muuvi turned to his wife. - Follow me and don’t lag behind.
Muuvi moved forward. They walked for many days through forests, crossed plains and crossed rivers.
- Will we soon see the camp of your tribe, my husband? - Proud Beauty asked more than once.
“No, not soon,” Muuvi shook his head. But one day the south wind dispersed the clouds and the sun came out. The snow melted and it became difficult to walk. Suddenly the Proud Beauty screamed in fear: Muuvi froze in place, swayed and collapsed like a tree. The Proud Beauty rushed to him and then saw that Muuvi’s body had turned into a pile of snowballs.
The sun rose and set many times before Proud Beauty returned to her father's wigwam. Old leader! listened to her story, was silent for a long time, and then said:
- Comfort yourself! The wise sun showed you a new path. You have recognized grief, you are crying, it means that the ice of your heart has melted.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru