Only two people did not sleep that night - the brave warrior Nah Kan (Big Serpent) and the beautiful young Suui Kaak (Virgin Fire), the daughter of the ruler of the city. Despite the threat of severe punishment, the lovers met in the grove.
The young man suggested that she flee to another city to get married there and live happily. The girl, as is sometimes the case with them, had doubts. She said that her father would be able to have mercy and agree to their marriage if the young man brought him lots and lots of gold and precious stones.
He had to, obeying the advice of his beloved, go at night to the temple of the god Stubtun - the god of treasures. The brightest sapphires, the reddest rubies, the largest and greenest emeralds and priceless jade were kept here.
Having broken open the entrance to the cellars in the temple where the treasures of God were kept, he entered the dungeon. A magnificent sight appeared to his amazed gaze. There were thousands and thousands of precious stones on the walls, on the floor, everywhere! It was a miracle of miracles. Nah Kang began to shovel the jewelry into the bag. Now the greedy father of the beautiful Suuy Kaak will give her to him as a wife!
He had almost made it back when the temple was filled with a blinding light and a thunderous cry was heard behind the warrior:
- Nah Kan, you ruined yourself!
Jumping on the spot, the warrior turned around and saw that the voice did not belong to a man... but to Stubtun himself! Nah Kan couldn't believe his eyes.
However, Stubtun said:
-What are you looking for in my temple? Do you really think that you will leave here unpunished? Answer, night thief!
“I really needed this, and that’s why I decided...
“I will not spare you, you must die, Nah Kan.”
“I understood this because you are an evil and unjust god.” I asked you for a small part of what you have in abundance - but you did not want to pity me! Only you yourself are to blame for everything!
- You will go to the hell of ghosts! - Stubtun thundered.
“But at least I’ll hurt you first,” exclaimed the brave Nah Kan and fired an arrow right into Shtubtun’s forehead. He was blinded for a moment with rage. Nah Kan, taking advantage of this, rushed as fast as he could out of the basement. By that time, the noise had raised the whole city to its feet, on the streets of which bright torches flashed here and there. On the platform in front of the palace, Nah Kan met an alarmed Suui Kaak.
- Let's run away from here quickly! - the young man shouted. - Stubtun is angry with me!
The young people, without stopping for a moment, left the city and soon took refuge in one of the caves that were nearby.
Meanwhile, Shtubtun appeared to the greedy father Suuy Kaak and said: “Your greed prompted a brave warrior to desecrate my temple and ruin my wealth.” You are guilty of everything and you must be punished!
As soon as he uttered these words, a terrible roar was heard and the palace collapsed, covering the ruler himself with stones.
Soon everything became quiet.
The next morning, when the young people returned to the city, they found neither the palace nor the ruler. The inconsolable Suuy Kaak cried for a long time, but everything passes, including grief. A few months later, the young people got married and lived happily ever after.
And Shtubtun stood silently and impassively in his temple, continuing to accept more and more new offerings.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru