The Wise Little Girl
Two Brothers and a Journey
Once upon a time, in a place where horses were considered a sign of prosperity, there lived two brothers. Each in his own house, with his own wealth. Dimitri, the rich brother, and Jereko, the poor one.
The two brothers were going to a big fair that was held in the city. Just as they were about to leave, Jereko's daughter came running.
— Come on, Jereko! Otherwise, we won't get there before sunset.
Unexpected Guest
— Please, Father! Let me come with you! — It's a long road, my dear, and you'll get tired. — I've always wanted to see the city! Please, Father!
— For heaven's sake! Let the child come and let's go already! — I'll be good, Father, I promise! — All right then. Come on, get on!
A Night at the Stable
They rode all day, and by evening they were quite close to the city.
— Let's find a place to rest tonight, and in the morning we'll enter the city. — There seems to be a hut over there. — Seriously? Let's go!
— This isn't a hut, it's a stable! — A good place to rest for the night. Look! There's enough water and food for the horses too. What an interesting place to spend the night! — All right. Let's have dinner and go to sleep.
So, the three made the stable their shelter for the night.
The Mysterious Foal
The next morning they woke up early, ready to resume their journey.
— Come on, Nora, we have to leave! — I'm coming now, Father! — What was that? — Look! Our mare gave birth to a foal last night!
— If your mare had given birth to the foal, it should have stayed by her side. But it came to my stallion. — But, Uncle, how can a stallion give birth? — It's true, brother, and it even looks like our mare.
— That's right! Give it some water and food, and then give me that foal! — But, brother! — Horses don't just appear out of nowhere overnight, Jereko! Maybe this foal was lost in the forest and came here to my stallion. Whatever the case, if your mare had been its mother, it would have gone straight to her. If it came to my stallion, it means it's mine! — See, brother? Let me see?
The Brothers' Dispute
Thus, the two brothers argued for a long time about which of them should keep the foal. Finally, Nora had an idea.
— Father, Uncle, why don't we go to the city? Isn't that where the wise king lives? Let's go to him and ask him to decide. — She's right, brother! — Yes, your daughter is smarter than you. Let's go!
They arrived at the city gates. While the brothers were talking to the guards, Nora saw a sign with a picture of a thief on a nearby tree. The sign read: "Thief! Whoever tells the king where he is, will receive a reward of 100 ducats."
Nora's Wisdom
The brothers told the king everything.
— Well, what do you think? — It's very difficult, Your Majesty! If the mare had been the foal's mother, it would have drunk her milk. But the foal doesn't belong to the rich brother either. He's only arguing for the foal because he has it now. He already has enough horses and could very well leave the foal to his poorer brother.
— Well, let's see if the brothers are rich or poor just because they were lucky, or because they are intelligent, or perhaps not. — What are you going to do, Your Majesty? — When reason fails, wisdom comes to our aid. Let's see which of these brothers is wiser.
The King's Questions
— So, because the foal belongs to neither of you, I will ask you a question. The one who gives an answer that satisfies me will have the foal.
So the king asked the brothers a question:
— What is the fastest thing in the world? What is the softest thing in the world? And what is the most precious thing in the world?
Everyone was surprised by the king's strange question. Everyone eagerly awaited the brothers' answers.
Dimitri's Answer
Dimitri thought that if he praised the king in his answer, the king would favor him. So he said:
— Well, that's easy, Your Majesty! What can be faster than your horse, Sire? What can be softer than your bed, master? And indeed, what can be more precious than your prince?
— But what is your answer, Jereko?
Jereko was a simple and honest man. He didn't know how to please people who used fancy words. So he didn't know what to say.
— Your Majesty, the other brother doesn't even have an answer. — But not having an answer is better than having one that is insincere and dishonest. Let's wait a bit.
Nora's Answer
Nora was thinking hard. She wanted to give an honest answer. And then, suddenly, the idea came to her.
— Forgive me, Your Majesty! Could I answer for my father? — Of course, why not?
— I must be honest, Sire. I don't know all the correct answers. But, judging by what I have seen in the world, the fastest thing in the world is the wind. It is so fast that it can create a storm that destroys everything in its path.
— And the softest thing in the world must be a child's kiss, just as this foal licks me.
— And the most precious thing in the world must be honesty. Otherwise, you wouldn't have announced the reward of 100 ducats for information about a thief.
The King's Judgment
— Bravo, bravo, Jereko! Your daughter is indeed wise, honest, and sincere. I am pleased with her answer. I give you not only this foal, but another 100 horses and 10,000 ducats as a reward. As for you, Dimitri, you could have been generous, but you chose to be mean. Meanness doesn't get you far, but great rewards come with sincerity. Let this be your lesson.
— I understand, Your Majesty! — Thank you, Your Majesty! You are very generous!
The Moral of the Story
And that's exactly how it is. We can try to trick others, but that won't get us far. People will see the truth. But if we want to live a happy and fulfilling life, we must be sincere, honest, and wise.
