A bear was walking through the forest in the spring and saw a dogwood tree in bloom. He sat down under him and said:
“Here, I’ll eat plenty of dogwood when it’s ripe!”
And to prevent anyone from stealing the fruit, the bear settled down under the tree and began to guard it.
One day another bear passed near this tree, barely able to move its paws after a hearty meal. Then the volunteer watchman roared and began to drive his relative away from the dogwood.
“Why are you chasing me away from the tree, while you yourself are lying under it?” - asked the newcomer.
“You see,” answered the thrifty bear, “the dogwood tree is already beginning to turn red in some places.” Sensing that the fruits are ripening, you came here and want to take them away from me and eat them. But know that only through my corpse will you get to the tree. Better walk aside.
- You fool! — the well-fed bear told him. “This is not the first time I’ve seen you here, but before I couldn’t understand why you always hang around under the tree.” Now it is clear that out of greed you have deprived yourself of tasty food. While you were sitting here, currants, hazelnuts, cherries and other berries were already ripe. What do I need your unripe dogwood for? I’ve already eaten to my fill and am wandering to the den to get a good night’s sleep. And you, I suppose, are not only starving yourself, but also not closing your eyes, protecting the tree. Coming soon from
You will only have skin and bones, you will die, and the wind will sprinkle ripe dogwood on you...
The well-fed bear barked and moved on, waddling heavily. And the thrifty bear remained under the dogwood tree, envying the well-fed one and not knowing what to answer.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru