The residents of the city of Shildy met their distinguished guest and again began to think and wonder how they could respect the emperor and what to give him as a gift. Some suggested giving him a silver or gold cup. To others it seemed too expensive, and they also took into account that the emperor had more than enough silver and gold utensils. Those who loved to eat well advised to give the emperor carrots, beets, peas and other gifts of the earth. But their neighbors took into account that the emperor probably did not need such goods: he
there is a guest everywhere, and wherever he arrives, everyone is obliged to provide him with a treat.
Here one Schildburger spoke out and advised presenting the reigning lady with a large pot of mustard. The emperor, they say, has to travel a lot, dine at someone else’s table, so he will always have the seasoning with him.
The city fathers liked this wise advice, and they immediately got down to business.
They brewed fresh mustard in a new pouring pot, dressed up two boys and sent them along with the mayor to present the emperor with a gift from the residents of the city of Shilda.
Presenting himself before the highest eyes, the mayor pushed the boys with mustard forward, and he himself, nervously and hesitatingly, began:
- Most merciful... sir... mustard! We humbly ask you to accept as a gift from the city of Shilda... the strongest emperor in this new pouring pot!
His Majesty the Emperor, having heard such a worthy speech, burst out laughing and even took off his hat - he probably felt hot from such a warm greeting.
“Put it on, put it on, sovereign mustard!” the mayor shouted to the emperor. “Put it on, otherwise you’ll get baldness!”
Meanwhile, the boys got tired of holding the pot of mustard, and they put it on the floor, so carelessly that the pot broke and all the mustard spilled.
- Oh, you damned devils! Oh, you are unheard! Robbers! Thieves and robbers! Rebels! Traitors! What a pot they broke! What mustard is missing! Seven miles against the wind it made my nose itch, and you poured it on the floor! Emperor, at least try it! - With these words, the head scooped up a handful of mustard and thrust it right under the emperor’s nose.
“I can already smell the mustard very well, the smell is excellent!” the distinguished guest answered the head. “And I, together with you, mourn the damage, but I note with gratitude your good will and desire to please me.”
And the mayor kept wailing: “What mustard has disappeared - not ordinary mustard, imperial mustard!” The strongest one!
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru