Once upon a time there lived two brothers. One was smart and the other was a fool. The smart man managed things in such a way that the fool had to work not only for himself, but also for his brother. Completely exhausted, the fool said in despair: “I don’t want to stay with you anymore.” Give me my share of the property, I will live on my own. “Okay,” said the smart brother, “today you will drive a herd of cows to water, and I will feed them when you drive the herd back.” Then the part of the herd that enters the fold will be my share, and the part of the herd that remains outside will be yours.
It was winter at that time. The fool agreed and drove the herd to water. When he returned back, it became completely cold, the cows, feeling the proximity of the warmth and the smell of feed, quickly went into the corral. Only one sick bull, barely dragging his feet, stomped around outside, lazily scratching himself. He was the fool's share.
The next morning, having tied a rope around the neck of his bull, the fool led him to sell it at the market. On the way, every now and then he had to urge the lazy bull: “Hey, come on, bull, move your legs, hey!”...And their path ran along old ruins. The walls of the ruins echoed the fool’s word: “...Hey!...The fool thought that the ruins were telling him “Hey.” He shouted: “You’re talking to me, right?” The ruins echoed: “... yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss]” Will you give me ten rubles? - ... ten rubles-oh-oh... - Will you pay now Or tomorrow?- ... tomorrow-ah... - Okay. I'll come tomorrow. I hope that the money will be ready. - ...will be ready...
The fool, deciding that the job was done, tied the bullock near the ruins and returned home, whistling joyfully. The next day, waking up early, he went to collect the money. And last night it happened that the wolves tore the bull to pieces. When the fool came to the place where he tied him, there were only gnawed bones. The fool said: “So you slaughtered the bull and ate it, right?” - ...yess... - Was it tasty or not? - ... no... - This, of course, does not concern me, but you bought the bull from me, so you pay the money. And until you pay me back, I won’t even think about leaving here!—...go-and-and..!
When the fool heard this, he became seriously angry: he grabbed a thick stick and began pounding on the dilapidated wall. Several stones fell to the ground. It so happened that someone hid a treasure in this wall a long time ago. So, when the stones fell out, the gold coins fell in a heap at the feet of the fool. “Great,” exclaimed the fool, but what should I do with it? You only owe me ten rubles, which is only one gold piece. So this means: I’ll only take my money, and keep yours.
He took one gold coin and returned home. “Well, did you sell the bull?” the smart brother asked, smiling. “Sold it.” “To whom?” “To the ruins.” “And what, did they pay you?” “Well, of course!” They tried not to pay at first, but I beat them with my stick, and they showed me all their wealth. I took only one coin to pay the debt, and left everything else where it was. Having said this, the fool took a gold coin from his pocket and showed it to his brother. “Where is this place?” – asked the smart brother.
His eyes widened in surprise. “Well, no.” I won't tell you where it is. You're greedy. If I show you this place, you will take everything for yourself, and you will make me carry it home on my back. The smart brother swore that he himself would bring the treasure if the fool showed where it was. “Give me your gold coin and lead me to the ruins.” And I'll buy you some new clothes.
As soon as the fool heard about the new clothes, he immediately gave his gold coin to his brother and led him to the ruins. The smart brother moved all the gold home and soon became rich, but he never bought clothes for his brother. The fool reminded his brother of his promise more than once or twice, but all in vain. Then he decided to complain to the judge about him.
“Oh, judge,” he said, “at first I had a bull, then I sold the bull to the ruins...” “Enough, enough,” the judge interrupted him, “Where did this fool come from?” “I sold the bull to the ruins,” the judge mimicked the fool and kicked him out of court. The fool began to complain to others, but everyone laughed at him. They say that this fool still wanders around the world in rags, complaining to everyone and everyone he meets, but no one believes him, they just laugh after him. And the smart brother laughs with them.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru