In long-standing times, a Greek merchant ship went from Athens to the northern border of Ecumene. The route was through a shallow sea bay. A very short distance remained to the entrance to one of the Tanais 's (Don River's) sleeves.
Feeling that sailing along the Pontus Euxinus (Black Sea) and Meotida (the Sea of Azov) was nearing completion, the the captain generously ordered to bring to the deck a keg and a waterproof leather bag filled with fruits: apples, plums, pears, apricots, peaches, cherries, - for the treats of team. There were also grapes, and nuts, and much, much more.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a huge wave appeared, which picked up a keg and leather bag and threw these objects on a high hills near the bay shore.
The ship, as if nothing had happened, continued sailing to the Tanais (the ancient city, the ancient Greek colony).
The contents of the keg and the leather bag spilled out, sprouted and took root perfectly on local soils.
The Sunny Hare settled in the keg, and the River Natrix [the water snake] in the bag.
Their close neighborhood proved harmonious.
Many centuries later, the troops of the great Central Asian commander [Tamerlane] appeared in these parts.
Having seen the harmonious cooperation of the Sunny Hare and the Natrix, and having expressed respect for the history of this place, one of the warriors called the coastal plot of the land 'Sea Chulek' (Морской Чулек) [Morskoy Chulek] ("chulek" - the Central Asian name for a leather tank with fresh water during a transportation cargos on a horse).
Sunny Hare and the River Natrix loved to delight others with some kind of creative masterpiece.
The Sunny Hare and the River Natrix, at the onset of the next summer morning, got out of their homes and were reflecting about the creative task for the day.
Seeing a green sprout nearby, the Sunny Hare suggested:
- "Today we can grow a Huge Flower!".
- "A good thought!" - the River Natrix supported.
A plan for the day was made.
The morning was early, and the Sunny Hare headed to the coast of the sea bay: to admire the views and to breathe fresh air.
In the bay the Solar Hare saw the figure of a local lover of physical activity. The depth in the bay, with the exception of certain places, wasn't a great, it was shallow: about a meter (for a human - waist-deep), and the bottom was mud, muddy. An exercise enthusiast put on the rubber boots and walked around the bay.
Each step required an effort. After walks along the bay, he returned, having spent many calories and feeling the pleasure of physical activity.
"Better than running on a sandy beach," - the lover of walks thought, - "a wonderful self-feeling..."
From time to time a fish jumped out of the water. Some fishes flew right into the boots of a walker. (Often, returning to the shore, he found one or two fish in boots).
After a breathing fresh air and the admiring a sea views, respectfully reflecting on a steady fitness addiction of the lover of walks along the bay, the Sunny Hare decided to pass, to rise from the edge of the shore to the well.
After seeing birds flying in the sky, the Sunny Hare said to them:
- "Please pay attention to the cloud! It's necessary to move it away - by a blows [waves, beatings, flappings] of wings! Today, the cultivation of the Huge Flower! The Sun is needed!"
- "Will be done!" - the birds answered.
Along the road from the bay, a lover of sea walks in rubber boots was rising.
- 'Could there be a fish for a cat - the inhabitant of a summer cottage?' - the Sunny Hare asked. - 'She makes not the hardest, but a very important job: the cat creates a coziness'.
- 'Come here,' - the lover of walks answered. - "Maybe any fish from a boot will jump out."
Sunny Hare approached the lover of walks. He snapped, clicked his fingers on the boot. From there fish jumped out.
- 'Here! Please!' - the lover of walks said. - 'Say "Hi!" to the dacha cat. And a wish to her: to catch a more mice!'
Meanwhile, the River Natrix has developed a stormy activity.
He crawled along a water pipes, which in different directions were laid out on a ground; water began to murmur through the pipes.
"More effort", - the River Natrix thought. - "And area will be irrigated. With good watering will grow a Huge Flower."
Sunny Hare continued his morning journey. Approaching up to the railroad tracks, he saw a morning train. The train hurried to the regional center. Next to the train a Gardener was walking fastly, rolling a huge melon in front of himself. 'I couldn't get through the rail wagon door,' - he explained to the Sunny Hare.
The Sunny Hare crossed the railroad tracks and headed to the dachas.
On the way to the dacha cat, he saw a flock of mosquitoes-watchmen. One of the mosquitoes flew up to the Sunny Hare and reported:
- 'Hares came, but not sunny, but ordinary. They said they wanted to visit familiar places. We drove them away'.
- 'Usually they come in winter, in the most severe frosts,' - the Sunny Hare reacted, - 'They are organizing a round dances around young trees on a New Year holiday. They probably recalled the winter days'.
The mosquito looked with suspicion at the hard worker ant, who was carrying some construction material for a some next a shaky construction.
Meanwhile, the Sunny Hare walked up to the summer cottage cat and handed her the fish.
- "And I will treat you with apricots", - the cat declared.
- 'Thank you,' - said the Sunny Hare. - 'Birds drove off, moved away a cloud by a wings. An apricots for them - it's the most time. I hope you do not mind?'
- 'What for suspicions', - the cat answered. - 'I don't jump along branches!'
The birds settled on the branches and began to peck apricots.
One of the birds told the Sunny Hare:
- "The River Natrix dispersed the water along the pipes! The area wholly is watered!"
- 'Well...,' - the Sun Hare said , - 'The sun is hot. A watering is needed!'
- 'I pay tribute to your organization,' - said the cat, a summer resident of cottage. - 'The sun is shining, birds are driving away the clouds, mosquitoes provide protection, the River Natrix provides a watering. By evening, a Huge Flower will be grown!'
- 'Yes! We have such a plan with the River Natrix!' - the Sunny Hare answered. - 'It's getting hot!'
And the Sunny Hare jumped into the foliage of a huge walnut tree standing nearby.
When the sun began to approach sunset, the Sunny Hare and the the River Natrix gathered near the Huge Flower.
The Flower was outstanding.
The audience grouped nearby: a local birds, a summer cottage cat, a mosquitoes-guard. The lover of sea walks also arrived. A crickets also were part of the audience.
The Sunny Hare started a speech:
- 'Allow me to present, gentlemen! ..'
- "... A Huge Flower!" - continued the River Natrix.
- '... which was grown by a common efforts ...,' - the Sunny Hare added.
There was the general applause.
A step forward was taken by the lover of sea walks in rubber boots:
- 'I announce a greeting telegram from the Gardener, who was rolling the melon next the morning train: "Congratulations on the achievements of floriculture!"
After the reading the telegram, the lover of walks made a step back into an audience.
The applause sounded again.
- 'Gentlemen!' - the Sunny Hare addressed to those present. - 'I propose to mark the day additionally! With a poetic impromptu!'
- 'This is what we were waiting for!' - the exclamations were heard.
The Hare jumped on the Flower (since the weight of the Solar Hare was not large, the flower was not damaged).
The River Natrix slightly entwined, slightly turned around the stem of Flower.
- 'Gentlemen,' - the Sunny Hare continued. - 'We, with the River Natrix, offer you a poetic improvisation :
The Sea Chulek!
You was founded by the ancient Greek!
Your hills
We love like a sunny beams!
And during looking at the sea bay
We are feeling an endless a May day!'
- 'This is, gentlemen, the our improvisation,' - the River Natrix announced. - "Good night, friends!"
Applause sounded again. Listeners went to have a rest.
The crickets started their performances.
The Moon peeked out.
April 07, 2017 - April 10, 2017
Translation from Russian into English: March 3, 2020 10:20.
Владимир Владимирович Залесский 'Сказка о Морском Чулеке'.