Once upon a time, a long time ago, a snake had legs, but no eyes. And the millipede had eyes, but no legs. The snake and the millipede became such friends that each promised to give the other everything whatever she asked.
And then one day the snake said to the millipede:
- Today there will be a dance in the village of Nitakuja; I would really like to go see them. Would you lend me your eyes? And I'll give you my legs.
The millipede agreed and they swapped. The snake went to watch the dance, but the millipede stayed at home, because without eyes it could not see anything.
When the dancing was over, the snake went back. Having walked half the way, she looked around and suddenly realized what a blessing it was to be sighted. “Yes, it’s good for the millipede,” the snake thought, “she can admire beautiful things, she can notice the enemy from afar. Why on earth would I return her eyes? Let her have my legs, and I’ll keep her eyes for myself.”
And she turned the other way. And the venerable millipede was left with many legs, but without eyes. Since then, the snake and the millipede have never agreed on anything else.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru