They say that a fat horse is considered good, and a rich man is considered wise... I don’t remember who came up with this proverb. And my father doesn’t remember. And my father's father doesn't remember. And my grandfather’s grandfather, they say, doesn’t remember. One thing is clear - this proverb was invented by the rich Noyons. They say, look, we are rich because we are born smart, and the poor shepherds are stupid from birth, that’s why they work for us, the wise noyons. It's cleverly said, but not very well! Here's a little fairy tale for you...
So began the old babay, when one evening the youth of the ulus gathered in his yurt.
Once upon a time there lived a khan with his servants, the noyons. There were these noyons, one fatter than the other, the other fatter than the third, the third more boastful than the fourth. The noyons knew one thing - they collected taxes from the population, and then lay on soft skins, drank archi and ate until they were unconscious. Among the Khan's noyons there was the fattest and fattest, the most arrogant and boastful noyon Badma. Not a day passed when he, stroking his shaved head solemnly, assured the khan:
- Almighty Khan! A fat horse is considered good, and a rich man is considered wise. Rely on us for everything...
At the same time, in the distant steppe there lived a poor shepherd with his daughter, who became famous among the people for her intelligence and resourcefulness. They said that she could solve the most cunning riddles, and most importantly, talk so boldly and intelligently with the noyons-collectors of the khan's taxes that every time they, discouraged, left her with nothing.
The khan himself heard about his daughter and became angry:
“Is this girl from a family of goatherds really smarter than my Noyons?”
And the khan decided to test her wisdom and wit. And he ordered the fattest and, as it was believed, the wisest noyon Badme to go to her. He mounted his horse, the same as the owner, fat, overfed, and boasted again:
- All-powerful Khan! A fat horse is considered good, and a rich man is considered wise. Rely on me!
The important noyon rode for a long time across the steppe, and when he arrived at the poor shepherd’s yurt, he saw nothing to which he could tie his horse. There wasn’t even a post near the yurt - the shepherd lived so poorly. The noyon stomped around in one place and shouted:
- Hey, who's there in the yurt! Why tie a horse to a rich noyon?
The door of the yurt opened, and a black-haired girl with lively, sparkling eyes looked out. A loud voice was heard:
- If you want to tie a horse, then tie it during the summer or during the winter...
- What did you say? — the khan’s servant was dumbfounded.
“I said: tie the horse for the summer or for the winter.”
Noyon Badma became furious:
- Stupid girl! Do you really think that the Khan’s noyon is more stupid than you... Or don’t you know that a fat horse is considered...
However, Badma never finished his favorite proverb. The nimble girl slammed the yurt door and disappeared.
“Stupid as a sheep, stupid,” thought the fat man Noyon and quickly drove his horse back to please the khan with the news that there are no smart people among the common people. And the days in the steppe were hot. The sun was burning. Badma’s overly fat, poorly trained horse soon became limp and gave up, refusing to carry his fat owner any further. In a word, not every fat horse is good... Noyon came to the palace on foot, dusty, in torn boots, but still smug and arrogant.
- Well, what interesting things have you heard and seen? - the khan asked him.
“Nothing interesting,” Badma chuckled, catching his breath, “nothing interesting.” She is stupid, the almighty khan, like a sheep.
And Noyon told the khan about the conversation with the shepherd’s daughter. Khan thought for a moment and asked:
- What else did you see near their yurt?
- Nothing but a skinny cart and sleigh.
“You yourself are a fool, Badma,” the khan frowned, “summer and winter are the cart and the sleigh...” And the khan thought that he and his stupid noyons would not reign for long over the people.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru