Once upon a time there were cousins, Buffalo and Bull. They loved each other very much. The Buffalo had two rows of magnificent teeth, but the Bull only had one row, the bottom one. Usually, after finishing his meal, the good old Buffalo lent his upper teeth to the Bull.
One evening, not far from the place where the Buffalo and the Bull lived, a Horse, reputed to be a wonderful dancer and joker, was giving a performance. In addition, the Horse could also sing excellently. She traveled all over the area, performing dances, singing and jokes. And success awaited her everywhere.
The buffalo was indifferent to this kind of entertainment. Most of all he loved to stand up to his neck in water. He preferred this to any dancing or jokes. And the Bull really wanted to look at the Horse. He was still young after all. Everyone came to such performances in full splendor, so the Bull decided to show up with both rows of teeth, so that when he laughed at some joke of the Horse, all the animals would see that he had two rows of delightful teeth.
And after dinner, the Bull did not return the teeth to the Buffalo, as usual, and slowly slipped away to where the Horse was giving a performance. He walked forward proudly and sat down in his seat. The horse danced and everyone applauded. Then she began to show acrobatic performances and read funny rhymes until everyone was exhausted from uncontrollable laughter.
The Bull opened his mouth so wide with laughter that the Horse could not help but see two rows of ivory-colored teeth. She also had no upper teeth. And the Horse, annoyed that it was not she who possessed them, but the foolish Bull, decided to get them.
She finished the number to loud applause and sat down.
- Oh Horse! – the spectators exclaimed enthusiastically. – You are simply inimitable!..
“My friends and patrons,” she answered, “I would have entertained you even more if one of you had lent me your upper teeth.” Then I could recite and sing much better!
The Bull jumped up and, pulling out the top row of teeth, handed it to the Horse.
She was showered with gratitude and, having rested a little, continued the performance. She sang a cheerful song, and deafening laughter was heard again. But then the Horse jumped back somersault. The animals clattered their hooves in delight. One more jump and she jumped off the stage. The audience clapped even harder. And suddenly the Horse turned and trotted away.
The bull jumped up and rushed after her, shouting:
- Stop, thief! Give me my upper teeth!
But the fast Horse was already far away and soon disappeared behind the hills.
This is why Buffalo still has no upper teeth to this day. Even now he keeps repeating: These are mine, these are mine! And the Bull, supporting his cousin, exclaims: It’s true, it’s true! (The buffalo makes a sound that reminds the Burmese of the words nga-ho, that is, these are mine, and the bull - houkhe, which means it’s true.) The horse just laughs in response: I-go-go.
After all, the teeth that she lured away from the Bull during a performance many years ago are still with her.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru