Ziz was a bug. A bug like any other bug, except he was terribly quarrelsome: out of boredom he loved to pick fights:
Whack, take that in the face! — he'd wave his legs in front of the ladybird — he had six of them.
Or:
Whack, wipe that smile off! — the little bug would threaten with all six of his tiny fists.
Whack, look at my fancy footwork! — the bug would box away in front of the ant's nose and laugh. — You can't do that!
Because of this behaviour, the bug was nicknamed Stink.
The insects found meetings with Stink unpleasant, as they often ended in fights. Stink fought desperately, viciously, dealing blows to his opponent.
But it was impossible to avoid these meetings: Stink would lie in wait for insects in the shade of a tree, or suddenly jump out scaring them, or suddenly charge, knocking them off their feet.
The insects grew tired of the bully Stink, and they decided to leave their home and abandon the meadow.
One day Stink flew out of his home — a green leaf rolled into a tube — and headed to the meadow, where insects usually went about their business on hot days. But for some reason, there was no one on the meadow. Stink flew around the meadow three times lengthways and crossways, but didn't see a single living soul. "Where has everyone gone?" Stink thought disappointedly.
Hey you, cowardly arthropods! Where have you all gone? — Stink shouted, but no one answered.
Then he shouted louder:
Come out!
In response — silence. Stink shouted even louder, even louder, even more…
Stink shouted and waved his legs for a long time, he even turned red from the effort, but no one answered. The bug felt terrible loneliness and sadness:
How will I live alone? Oh, how scary, — and Stink burst into bitter tears.
Who's flooded my burrow? — poked out the field mouse's sharp little nose (she lived underground and didn't know about the insects' conspiracy).
Stop crying, you're causing a flood in my house.
Poor me, everyone has abandoned me! — the little bug sobbed.
Tears won't solve your problems, go to the forest keeper, ask him for advice, — and the mouse disappeared underground.
There was nothing else to do, so Stink cleaned his wings and set off on a journey to the forest keeper, into the magical thicket. For three days he flew without rest, and finally reached the magical place. The forest keeper warmly welcomed the bug, fed and gave him a drink. Stink told the forest keeper about his problem:
Everyone has abandoned me, I'm all alone.
Maybe you did something wrong? — asked the forest keeper.
No, everything was fine.
Maybe you hurt someone's feelings?
I didn't hurt anyone.
Maybe you teased someone?
Well, just a little bit.
A little bit yesterday, a little bit today, and in the end it adds up to a lot.
I won't do it again, I don't even notice when I get angry, — whimpered Stink.
Alright, I'll help you with your sorrow. But there's one condition.
What is it?
When you tease and get angry, an unpleasant rotten smell will come from you, as a warning to you and those around you. Remember in that moment how you were alone, and calm down.
Alright, — sighed the little bug, — thank you very much, from now on I will control myself.
Good luck!
And the forest keeper disappeared, and Stink found himself on his native meadow, densely populated with insects. Little bugs buzzed as they flew, tiny worms crawled in the shade of the grass, beautiful butterflies fluttered in the air, fuzzy bumblebees collected nectar from flowers, hardworking ants strengthened their anthill. Stink was happy to be among his familiar friends.
From that day on, Stink stopped bullying and getting angry. He learned to smile warmly, speak polite words, give way, come to agreements, have pleasant conversations, and make friends.
But still, sometimes Stink emits an unpleasant smell, though this happens very rarely — only in cases of danger. In such a situation, Stink cannot control himself.
