A certain man stood in the market and held a small box in his hands. He praised his goods - pieces of tin and a handful of ground herbs - and assured that any buyer could turn this tin into gold.
Akhmet passed by. Hearing the words of the seller, he stopped and asked: “How to make such a miracle?” “Very simple,” answered the owner of the box, “take a piece of tin and put it in a pot, and put the pot on the fire.” When the tin melts, pour a pinch of crushed herbs into it and shake the contents for two hours. And then you will see that a gold bar will appear at the bottom of the pot.
Delighted, Akhmet bought the largest piece of tin from the seller, clutched a handful of crushed herbs in his fist and went home. But before he could walk a few steps, he heard the owner of the box calling him. Akhmet is back.
“I forgot to warn you,” said the seller, “when you shake the melting tin, under no circumstances think about the dancing polar bear.” Otherwise, you won’t succeed.” Akhmet laughed: “Why would I suddenly start thinking about a polar bear?” I have nothing to do with him. Arriving home, Akhmet told his wife and daughters about everything and, sending them out of the kitchen, cheerfully went to work.
Akhmet put the tin in the pot, put the pot on the fire, and when the tin melted, he poured a pinch of herbs into it and began to diligently shake the contents. An hour, two, two and a half hours passed.
Finally, the wife, unable to bear it any longer, opened the door and asked: “Well, how is the gold real?” “It’s possible that the devil himself interfered in this matter!” - wiping sweat from his forehead, the exhausted Akhmet answered her. “I’ve been living in the world for fifty-three years, and I’ve never seen a dancing polar bear - neither in reality nor in a dream.” And now, when I don’t have to think about him, I see him everywhere. He dances everywhere before my eyes - on the floor, on the shelves, on the table. Even when I look into the pot, I see a dancing polar bear there too.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru