A magpie is flying - black wings, white sides. It flies slowly, looking at everything around it. He looks, a wolf is coming - his tail is tucked, his head is bowed. The magpie sat on a tree and asked: “Why are you sad, godfather wolf?”
“Oh, don’t ask,” the wolf replies. - My life is bad. Nobody loves me. Whatever bad happens in the forest, everyone blames me. And this morning hunters with guns and angry dogs were chasing me. I barely escaped them. I will leave this forest."
“Well,” says the magpie, “it’s up to you.” And I’ll check on you at the new place. Wings are not paws, they take you everywhere. Just tell me, godfather, what will you take with you for your new life?”
“Like what?! - the wolf was surprised. “What’s on me, I’ll take away.” Gray sides that dogs can’t wait to skin, fast legs, sensitive ears, keen eyes?...”
“Where will your sharp teeth and evil temper go? Will they stay here or will you take it with you?”
“Well, you’re stupid, magpie! - the wolf growled. - Are you laughing at me, or what? How can a wolf survive without sharp teeth?! And my character is not bad, I can’t change it for a hare!”
The magpie chirped, as if laughing: “Eh, wolf, wolf! After all, of the two of us, I’m not the stupid one. Those who have an evil temper and sharp teeth are followed by bad rumors on their heels. Even if you leave, even if you scour here, you won’t be able to run away from her.”
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru