Once upon a time, a terrible azhdha captured the only source in Avaria. Many brave souls tried to drive away the monster, but died from the blows of its terrible tail. Azhdakha built a huge palace at the source and surrounded it with a palisade, on which he hung the heads of the dead.
Meanwhile, in one village, a poor widow’s son grew up and vowed to free the country from azhdha. They tried to dissuade him for a long time, but the young man mounted his horse and went to the monster. Azhdha shouted loudly:
- Who dared to approach me?!
“I want to measure my strength with you,” answered the young man.
“Don’t you know that I don’t measure strength with anyone, because no one has ever been born stronger than me?” I ask everyone just one question. Whoever does not give the correct answer, I kill him with a blow of my tail. If the answer is correct, I will die.
“Okay, I agree,” said the young man. “Ask a question.”
At a sign from azhdha, two women appeared in the window of one of the palace rooms. One of them was a dazzling beauty, and the other did not stand out in any way.
-Which one is more beautiful? - asked azhdaha.
“The one you like best is more beautiful,” answered the young man after a short thought.
“You’re right,” azhdaha croaked and gave up the ghost. Thus, Avaria was spared from azhdha. They say that Mount Akara near Khunzakh is the body of a dead monster.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru