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Redilion — Crows and Owls: Chapter Seven
Published: 2020-02-22 16:16:34 +0000 UTC; Views: 475; Favourites: 44; Downloads: 0
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"Crow minister already lived with owls for weeks. The owls were glad that he was watching their cave so faithfully, and he, meanwhile, had his own thoughts. One morning, choosing the right time, he left his nest and flew behind the mountains. There he found the Crow king and the rest of his tribe.
- Ah, good-day, Carkailo! - greeted him the king,- You've been gone for a long time. We already thought you were gone. Well, how is our business going on?
- All right, my king! It is time to act. Led the crow army to embark on the journey now, and quickly! Our victory depends on haste...
The king now commanded the crows to raise the wings.
- Listen to me, kids, - the minister said. - As we fly through the forest, grab each one in the beak or in the claw a dry twig that anyone can carry, and follow me back to our forest!
Crows did as he said and they flew silently back to their forest. The minister, meanwhile, flew to the meadow where he found a shepherd's camp, and fire left without attention. He flew low around the fire and lit his twig. Then he came back to his flock and commanded:
- Now, kids, fly to the Owl mountain!- he showed the burning twig in his claws and flew straight to the entrance of the Owl cave.
He threw the burning twig into his nest in front of the cave door, and ordered:
- Now all drop the twigs in that place and fly around, we need wind to make the fire!
Crows did as he said, and the fire began to spread in the pile of old sticks. The dry grass and leaves of his bed began to burn, the carcass quickly caught on fire. Bundles of thick hot smoke stormed into the cave, owls awakened from sweet slumber. A terrible alarm began in the cave. It became hot, the smoke was suffocating, the panic blinded the mind. The owls rushed in the cave as if they were crazy, banging their heads against the stone walls. One who was lucky to fly away from the cave was attacked by the army of crows.
And the crows celebrated greatly that they so cunningly fought their terrible enemies. From now on they could live freely in their forest and were safe from the night attacks. Their tribe has since multiplied greatly, and the owl genus has become small. Only Bubo and his family left from the whole Owl tribe. Seeing to what misery brings pride and light-hearted engagement with the enemy, the owls have sworn forever not to attack the crows. And the crows even now, when they see an owl, try to beat and bark on it.
The end."
// Based on the fairy-tale by Ivan Franko
