In ancient times, there was a village on the banks of a large river. People lived there cheerfully and richly. Only they had one problem: they would build a bridge across the river - strong, beautiful - but when it rained or the wind blew, the bridge would shatter into small chips and float downstream.
No matter how many bridges people built, they could not build anything that could withstand rain or storms. They once gathered and began to hold advice: how to build such a bridge so that it would stand forever? We thought and thought and decided to go to the neighboring village and call a carpenter. That carpenter was a foreman anywhere, people from all over the area came to him to ask for help.
The peasants came to the carpenter, bowed low and said: “We ask you, venerable master, to build a bridge in our village.” “Okay,” the carpenter agreed. - You will have a new bridge! - Well, that’s great! — the peasants were delighted. They returned home and began to wait for the carpenter to build a new bridge. But the carpenter’s soul was restless. “I got down to business in the heat of the moment,” he thinks. “It’s not for nothing that the bridges in that village are falling to pieces.” And the wife began to grumble:
“You shouldn’t have taken on this matter.” What if your bridge can’t stand in the rain? That would be a shame!
Well, there is nothing to do - once a promise is made, it must be fulfilled. The carpenter got ready and went to the river bank to inspect the place where the bridge would be built. He came to the shore and saw that the river had overflowed from the rains and was seething and bubbling.
“Yes, it’s not an easy task to build a bridge across a stormy river,” muttered the carpenter. - We should build it like this... or maybe... and this way...
He stood on the shore for a long time, still couldn’t decide how to build this bridge. Suddenly, out of the blue, high waves rose in the river, a whirlpool began to spin, and a huge demon appeared from the water.
- Ha-ha-ha! Here I am! - he thundered. - Well, carpenter, have you figured out how to build a bridge across our river?
“Yes, I think...” the carpenter answers the demon. “I really want to help people and build a good bridge.”
“Nothing will work out for you, don’t try,” the demon laughed. - Not strong enough. None of the people can build this bridge. This work is not humanly possible. True, I know how to help you...
- Do you know? - the carpenter was delighted. “Then give me advice, I won’t regret anything for you.”
The demon leaned closer to the carpenter and said: “You won’t regret anything, then?” Don't be afraid, I won't take it dearly. Let's do this: I'll build a bridge, and you'll give me your eye. Is it coming?
The carpenter was stunned: “My eye?” Why do you need it? - asks. “Well, you’re scared!” — the demon shook his head. - It doesn't hurt! But the bridge across the river will last for centuries! And people will think that you built it.
“I don’t know what to answer you...” the carpenter was confused. “Just think,” said the demon, “think until tomorrow.” And he plunged into the abyss. The carpenter stands on the shore, unable to move his hand from fear. “Maybe I dreamed all this? - he thinks. - I’ll wait until morning, and then we’ll see what happens.” The next morning, while it was still dark, the carpenter went to the river bank. As soon as he approached the water, he stopped dead in his tracks: half of the bridge rises above the river, and how well it was cut down!
“Hey, carpenter,” he heard, “do you like my bridge?” I told you it would be a good bridge!
The carpenter raised his head and saw a demon sitting on the edge of the bridge, smiling. “Did you really manage to build half a bridge in one night?” — the carpenter was surprised. “Of course, one!” — the demon answered proudly. “It’s you people who need help, but I don’t need it.” The demon rubbed his hands with pleasure that he was praised and asked:
“Will you give your eye for my bridge?” “I haven’t decided yet,” answered the carpenter. “Once you’ve completed the construction, then we’ll talk.”
“Okay,” the demon agreed. “Tomorrow morning, then, we’ll talk.” The carpenter was completely sad; he didn’t know what to do: the bridge was good, but it was a pity to lose his eyes. He woke up the next morning and heard: thunder rumbled in the sky and rain poured down like buckets.
The carpenter rejoiced: “Well, now the demons’ bridge will shatter into pieces, and I won’t have to give him my eye!”
He got ready and ran to the shore. He sees that the demon completed the bridge overnight, and it’s so beautiful! And here’s a miracle: the rain is pouring down, the waves are rising, but the bridge remains as it was, it doesn’t even move!
The carpenter was seriously frightened: “My destruction has come,” he thinks, “I can’t get out of it now, I’ll have to give my eye to the demon.” And just then the demon looked out of the water.
“You see what a glorious bridge I built!” - boasts. - For such beauty, you don’t even feel sorry for your eyes! Give me your eye!
“Wait a little longer,” the carpenter begged. - Everything must be done honorably. I see that the rain and wind did not break your bridge, but will it withstand the storm?
- Of course it will hold up! — the demon laughed. “Yes, I see, you’re stalling for time, you don’t want to pay back what you owe.” This is not good!
“Listen,” said the carpenter. - Well, why are you attached to my eye? Maybe I can pay you back somehow differently?
- In a different way? — the demon was surprised. “What else can I take from you?” He thought, thought, and finally said: “Okay, I’ll tell you a riddle.” If you guess it, I’ll give you the bridge; if you don’t, you’ll give away your eye.
“Make your own riddle,” agreed the carpenter. “Look, how bold you are!” - the demon chuckled. - Do you think I’ll wish you an easy one? Come on, find out by morning what my name is!
- What is your name?! - the carpenter was dumbfounded. - Who will tell me this, who knows? - If you don’t find out, you’ll give away your eyes! - the demon shouted goodbye and went into the water. The carpenter wandered home, sad and very sad. He went to bed, but sleep did not come to him. “What can a demon be called?” - thinks. The carpenter heard a child crying in the next room, his wife came up to him, calmed him down, and began to hum a song:
- Go to sleep, my baby, go to sleep! Don't tell the demon's name! Otherwise Oniroku will come and take your little eye!
- What a strange song! - the carpenter was surprised. - Some Oniroku will come... “Your little eye will take it...” Oh, yes, this is a song about my demon! - it dawned on him.
The carpenter jumped up and started running around the room shouting: “Oniroku!” Oniroku! Oniroku! Calmness and joy returned to the carpenter. He looked out the window: and there the moon was shining brightly and smiling. The next morning, just before dawn, the carpenter ran to the river. And the demon is already sitting on the bridge, waiting for him.
- Well, carpenter, did you recognize my name? - he asks. And the carpenter is just bursting with the name of the demon. But he decided to fool the demon first. He hesitates to answer.
“I see you don’t know my name,” said the demon. - Give me your eye! - No, no, wait! - the carpenter shouted. - Your name is... Onitaro! - Ha-ha-ha! — the demon laughed and even jumped for joy. - I didn’t guess, I didn’t guess! Give me your eye!
“Now, I’ll tell you now,” the carpenter again pretended to be thoughtful. - Now I won’t be mistaken. Your name is... Onihachi!
- Wrong, wrong! — the demon squealed with delight. - You don’t know, you still don’t know! Give me your eye! He jumped out of the water, ran up to the carpenter, and was about to tear out his eye.
- I remembered! I remembered! — the carpenter yelled at the top of his lungs. -Your name is Oniroku! Your name is Oniroku! Our bridge was built by Oniroku!
The demon's eyes widened. He stood there for a minute, and then he jumped into the water and disappeared.
- Wait, Oniroku, don’t go! - the carpenter shouted. “I want everyone to know that it was you who built the bridge across the river!”
The carpenter called the demon and called, but to no avail. Oniroku did not appear again. No one has seen him since then. And the bridge, built by the demon, brought joy to people for many, many years, and no storms or rains were afraid of it.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru