This story took place on an island called Eclipse Island. It looked ordinary at first glance, but if you took a closer look, a multitude of amazing things would be revealed.
This little patch of land was home to thousands of animals with incredible abilities, and nature was bursting with dizzying colours! Trees had fluffy down in place of leaves, and the grass in the paddocks was so soft and springy that one bounce could send you two metres into the air. And the water, rushing down from the mountains, spilled into crystal-clear rivers and lakes.
On the banks of one such river lived the heroes of this story: underwater hamsters who could breathe under water.
One of them was called Darryl. He was the chief's son, and he loved to brag to others about his riches. He always wore an expensive pearl necklace and never missed a chance to make fun of the less well-off villagers.
Not far from the village, a big raven lived in the trees. He had no nest and no magical abilities. Because of this, he envied everyone, and his envy was black and spiteful.
On the day the young hamsters gathered in the main square so the young women could choose a partner, the raven perched on a rooftop. He witnessed Darryl, bragging, humiliate his fellow hamster Miles in front of everyone.
The hamsters took turns to perform. Each one showed off an outfit and tried to display the most unusual skills. Every performance was accompanied by loud commentary from the chief's son, who never tired of saying he could have done any act better.
In front of everyone, he started calling Miles a scruffy bum, then said he shouldn't have bothered coming to the festival at all. Miles felt terribly ashamed. He got upset and ran off with his head hung low.
That evening, as Miles sat sadly by the campfire beside his little hut, a black raven silently swooped down to him.
For a couple of minutes he sat silently watching the flames alongside the hamster, then began to speak quietly, so no one else could hear:
I saw it all. You can't let this go. If you don't give that show-off a bit of his own medicine, you'll be left on your own. Girls don't go for chickens, you've got to get even!
The raven's words, like poison, crept into Miles's mind. He no longer felt shame; anger had clouded it over.
The raven had done his work and grinned slyly. He had not acted for the sake of justice. He was tormented by envy of the chief's son, who had everything, while the raven had nothing.
Miles jumped up and began pacing back and forth by the fire.
But what am I supposed to do? asked the hamster, looking at the raven.
Burn his house down, and he'll lose all his riches, hissed the raven, with madness in his small black eyes.
The hamster, without a second thought, grabbed a burning stick and headed for Darryl's house. Suddenly, one of the young women from the festival appeared before him. Her name was Nadia, and she had taken a real liking to Miles.
She looked timidly at the fiery hamster with the burning stick in his paw, frozen in surprise. A moment later, she spoke in a soft, velvety voice:
I choose you as my husband, Miles.
The hamster leapt with joy and rushed to hug her, stick still in his paw.
Don't singe my hair! Nadia cried, laughing.
Coming to his senses, Miles tossed the stick aside, and they twirled together in an embrace.
No one noticed the raven slip away into the darkness. He was left alone with his envy, which had now grown even bigger.
That evening, it wasn't only the raven who was lonely, but the chief's son too. Sitting in his huge, empty house, its walls covered with portraits of himself, he simply couldn't understand why not a single young woman had come to him.
A few days later, at the wedding of Miles and Nadia, the chief who was conducting the ceremony learned how the raven had urged Miles to burn Darryl's house.
The chief immediately ordered the guards to bring in the raven, and within the hour the troublemaker stood before the leader, fear in his eyes. The chief was very wise. He didn't punish the bird; instead, he appointed him envoy to the neighbouring tribes, putting his envy to rest.
Everyone celebrated at the wedding. After the feast, the chief leaned close to his son's ear and quietly said:
Bragging attracts envy, and from such a union, anger is born. And in a home where they live, there is no room for happiness.
The son looked seriously at his father and nodded.
