The greedy rich man (Belarusian folk tale) Print

The greedy rich man Belarusian folk tale Two brothers lived: rich and poor. The rich man did nothing because he had many mercenaries. And the poor fished in the lake with fish - and he lived. One day, a rich man had a wedding - he married his son. A lot of people gathered in his guests. "I'm going to visit my brother," the poor man thinks. He borrowed a loaf of bread from his neighbors and went to a wedding. He came and stood on the threshold with bread. His rich brother saw: - What did you do? My guests here are not your level! Away, so I don't see you! And he cast him out. It became a shame for his poor brother. He took a fishing rod and went fishing. He got into an old boat and sailed into the middle of the lake. Fisherman, fisherman - all small fish are caught. And then the sun goes down. "Well," says the poor fisherman, "I will throw again, fortunately." He dropped a fishing rod and pulled out a fish he had never seen: large and all silver. Delighted poor brother from a wonderful fish and began to stuff it in the bag. And suddenly she speaks to him in a human voice: - Don't torment me, good man, let me back into the lake. He mentioned his children's fisherman and said: I can't let you go - I'm hungry myself and the kids want to eat for a long time. What will I get home with? If you're so poor, says the fish, put your hand in my mouth and get the gold ring out of there. The fisherman thought and said: I'm afraid you'll still bite my hand. - Do not be afraid, I will not bite! The fisherman smiled, put the fish's hand in his mouth, and pulled the gold ring out of it. What will I do with it? "She doesn't feed me." Nothing, - the fish replies, - how much more to feed! Throw your small fish out of the boat and put that ring in there. The fisherman did so. He just threw his ring into the bottom of the boat, and immediately a whole pile of money appeared. Released the poor fisherman that fish into the lake, and he swam to shore. He took off his shirt, poured money into it and went home. Now he has no need for a poor brother. He built a new house and invited guests to the housewarming. But he did not invite his brother: he could not give him insults. Heard the rich, poor brother put up a new house and feasted with his guests. He says to his son: - Look at what he is doing there. A son came and looked and ran back. "Oh," says his father, "you don't have that poor brother of yours, and your house is new, and your cattle are full, and there's plenty on the table!" Rich even blackened with envy. He sends his son again to call on his poor brother. The poor brother came to the rich. - How did you get so much good from? asks the rich brother of the poor. "You are said to be richer than I am now." The poor man couldn't lie - he told everything as it was. When he heard it rich, so did his hands itch. "I'll go," he thinks, "and catch that fish." He took a good fishing rod, got into a new boat and went to the middle of the lake. Fished, fished and caught some magic fish. Don't bother me, - asks the fish, - let go back: I have little children there ... No, honey, ”the rich man said,“ I will not let you go! Give me the same ring I gave to my brother. - That your brother was poor, he had no bread ... Why you? How is that? I don't want my brother to be richer than I am! Let's get the ring and the edge! And no, I'll take you home and roast ... Well, "says the fish." Take it when you're so envious. I'm not sorry. She opened her mouth. The greedy rich man put a hand over her elbow in her mouth. Here the fish will grasp its teeth - bit off her hand and plunge with her to the bottom of the lake. The rich brother returned home with no money and no hands.