In the old days, sweet Onion and bitter Watermelon lived next door. Then the onion was the size of a watermelon now. A watermelon is the same size as an onion today. As the Onion grew large and sweet, it was watered. He didn't have to take care of himself. Carefree Onion grew fat and heavy. There was only one bad thing: he was bored.
One day, behind the fence, Onion heard a rustling sound. He knew that he was in no danger, but because he had nothing else to do, he began to listen. The rustling grew into rapid breathing. Onion wanted to see who showed up there, but he was too lazy. In the end, he couldn’t stand it and turned his heavy body. Behind the fence, from the hummocks, sweating profusely, a frail Plantain made its way into the light. The onion was well-watered, so no matter how much he tried, he did not dare to remain silent.
“Listen, goofball,” he turned to Watermelon, “do you hear, Plantain is puffing again.” “It’s not easy for the poor fellow,” responded the skinny Watermelon. “What poor fellow?” “He’s just impudent,” Onion was indignant. “Before they had time to throw him out of the garden, he clung to the hummocks.” “It’s not easy for him,” sighed Watermelon. “It’s not easy, it’s not easy,” Onion got angry.
He regretted talking to Watermelon. He turned away and fell silent. But boredom always plagues the well-fed, and Onion even condescended to talk: “How did you manage to break out of the hard hummocks, Plantain?” “I am content with little and work a lot,” Plantain whispered barely audibly, since he was still in the ground up to his shoulders. “They cut you out here, and you sprout there.” They'll pull it up by the roots, and you'll make your way next to it. How do you get so much strength of spirit that you don’t perish in endless persecutions? “Strength of spirit grows stronger from struggle,” answered the Plantain a little louder, freeing his chest from the clenched blocks. “From struggle, you say?” What are you strong about? - Strong against enemies! - Plantain answered loudly.
Onion did not tolerate high tones - satiety more needs contemplative peace. Therefore, he winced and asked with a grin: “Tell me, Plantain, what is the hardest thing in the world: to die of thirst in the sun, to be crushed by a Hoof, torn out by the roots, or to be chopped by an inexorable Iron?” “The most difficult thing is not to offend another.”
Onion stood up in surprise and gasped: Plantain was already raising children. Onion was frightened: “When his children grow up, they will drink all the moisture that people pour on me. Then you yourself will have to get water from the hard, greedy, dark depths. No, no - not this!” - Onion was horrified and shouted: “Je-le-zo!” Here!!!
Watermelon tried in vain to stop him. The bow screamed more and more. Iron appeared and began to cut the rebel. Shred for living... and even on your own land. - Oh Luk! - the dying man shouted. - Idleness and laziness gave rise to envy in you and drove you to betrayal! If there is justice in the world, let it make you as bitter as my fate! Watermelon for kindness - full, like my hopes! And sweet, like the fierce Iron was sharp. Sharp but blind. It felt that it had destroyed the Plantain, but did not see that it was sowing its children, washed instead of moisture by the tears and juice of the Plantain itself.
Near the grave of the Plantain, his children soon began to make their way into the world. In the loosened and moist soil it was easier for them and they grew faster. Onion saw them - the bitterness burned him and began to dry him out. Out of impotent rage, he gnawed at himself, shrinking before his eyes.
Watermelon also saw the children of the Plantain - the sweetness of joy spilled into his soul. And when the grandchildren made their way into the world, they saw Onion as he is now. And they saw Watermelon differently - what it is like these days...
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru