On the outskirts of the village, a peasant was plowing the land. A cat also came running from the house along with the draft animals, and in the midst of plowing he was chasing butterflies and grasshoppers at the edge of the forest.
At this time, a tiger was running through the forest. The tiger was very surprised when he saw the cat and asked:
- Brother, you are apparently from our family, but why are you so small?
The cunning cat pretended to be a sufferer and answered:
- Eh, great sovereign, king of beasts, if you only knew how hard it is for us to live among people.
-Who dares to oppress you? Show me that man, and I will deal with him,” said the tiger.
The cat led the tiger to the peasant who was walking behind the plow.
Tiger said:
- Hey, man, why are you oppressing my relative so much that he can’t even grow? What did he do to you? So I will fight you because of him.
“Please,” answered the peasant, “only I left my strength at home; I’ll run and get it and we’ll fight.
“Okay,” said the tiger, “go, I’ll wait for you.”
- What if you deceive me, go somewhere, I’ll run in vain! - said the peasant. - That's it, let me tie you with a rope to this tree, while I run to the village, and there I will bring my strength and measure it out with you.
“Okay,” agreed the tiger.
The peasant tied him to a tree with a thick rope, went, cut a strong ash club in the forest, returned and said:
- This is my strength! - and let's beat the tiger. The tiger growled, the sky and earth burned with pity for him, but the man did not let go until he beat off his sides, and then he untied him and said:
- Don't interfere with your own business! Go now and, wherever you decide to brag about yourself, don’t forget to remember me too!
The tiger trudged away, barely alive. Seeing the cat, he sighed heavily and said to him with a groan:
- Well done, brother, that under the power of such a beast you even grew to such a size.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru