One king had two sons. After their father's death, they lived together for a long time, and then decided to divide the inheritance. The sons got along well in everything, but they could not divide the millstone and the carpet. An argument ensued. The millstone and the carpet had wonderful properties: if the millstone was turned to the right, then all kinds of foods and drinks appeared on the table, if you turned it to the left, gold fell out. And if you stand on the carpet and say: “Carpet, fly!” – he rose smoothly and flew wherever you wanted.
While the brothers were arguing, a horseman rode up to them. -What are you arguing about? he asked.
“We’re arguing over a millstone and a carpet.” “We can’t divide them,” the brothers answered.
- Why can’t you do this? – the traveler became interested.
“Here’s why: we both like the millstone and the carpet: if you turn the millstone to the right, then all kinds of food and drinks appear on the table, if you turn it to the left, gold pours out.” And if you stand on the carpet and say: “Carpet, fly!” – he flies wherever you want.
“I will reconcile you,” said the traveler, “just step aside, and I will sit between the millstone and the carpet and think.”
“We agree,” the brothers said and stepped aside.
The traveler dismounted, picked up the millstone, laid it on the carpet, sat down on it with his legs crossed, and affectionately said: “Fly, rug!”
The carpet slowly separated from the ground and floated smoothly through the air.
Flying past the brothers, the stranger shouted:
- Goodbye! I’ll take your carpet and millstone for myself, now you won’t have anything to argue about. You can take turns riding my horse - that will be your joy.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru