This story took place on an island called Eclipse. At first glance it seemed an ordinary island, but if you looked at it more closely, a multitude of wonderful things would be revealed.
This little piece of land was home to thousands of animals with extraordinary abilities, and the nature was dazzling with dizzying colours! Fluff grew on the trees instead of leaves, and the grass in the meadows was so soft and springy that with a single leap you could bound two metres into the air. And the water, rushing down from the mountains, spilled into crystal-clear rivers and lakes.
On the bank of one such river lived the heroes of this tale: underwater hamsters, who could breathe beneath the surface.
One of them was called Faran. He was the chieftain's son, and he loved to boast to the others about his riches. He always wore a necklace of pearls and never missed a chance to tease the less well-off villagers.
Not far from the village, a large raven lived in the trees. He had neither a nest nor any magical powers. 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 that the marriageable maidens could choose a partner, the raven sat on a rooftop. He witnessed Faran, showing off, humiliate his fellow hamster Milo in front of everyone.
The hamsters took turns to perform. Each one showed off their outfit and tried to display the most unusual talents. Every performance was accompanied by loud remarks from the chieftain's son, who never tired of insisting that he could have done any act far better.
In front of everyone he began calling Milo a ragamuffin, then said he should never have come to the festival at all. Milo felt terribly ashamed. He was hurt, and he ran off with his head bowed.
That evening, as Milo sat sadly by the fire outside his little hut, a black raven silently swooped down beside him.
For a couple of minutes he gazed into the flames alongside the hamster, then began to speak, quietly, so that no one else would hear:
I saw everything. You mustn't let this pass. If you don't give that show-off a taste of his own medicine, you'll be left on your own. Brides don't come calling on cowards, so you must get your revenge!
The raven's words, like poison, crept into Milo's mind. He no longer felt shame; anger had clouded it over.
The raven had done his work and smiled slyly. He had not acted out of a sense of fairness. He was tormented by envy of the chieftain's son, who had everything, while the raven had nothing.
Milo jumped up and began pacing back and forth by the fire.
But what am I to do? asked the hamster, looking at the raven.
Set fire to his house, and he'll lose all his wealth, hissed the raven, with madness in his small black eyes.
Without a second thought, the hamster grabbed a burning stick and set off towards Faran's house. Suddenly one of the maidens who had been at the festival appeared before him. Her name was Nell, and she had taken a real liking to Milo.
She gazed timidly at the warlike hamster with the burning stick in his paw, frozen in surprise. A moment later she spoke in a tender, velvety voice:
I choose you as my husband, Milo.
The hamster leapt for joy and rushed to hug her, stick still in hand.
Don't singe my hairdo! cried Nell, laughing.
Coming to his senses, Milo tossed the stick aside, and they whirled about in each other's arms.
Nobody noticed the raven slipping away into the darkness. He was left alone with his envy, which had now grown even greater.
That evening the chieftain's son was not the only one who was lonely. Sitting in his enormous, empty house, its walls hung with portraits of himself, he simply could not understand why not a single maiden had come calling.
Some days later, at the wedding of Milo and Nell, the chieftain who was conducting the ceremony learned how the raven had goaded Milo into setting fire to Faran's house.
The chieftain immediately ordered the guards to fetch the raven, and within the hour the troublemaker stood before the leader, fear in his eyes. The chieftain was very wise. He did not punish the bird; instead he appointed him envoy to the neighbouring tribes, thereby quenching his envy.
Everyone enjoyed the wedding. After the celebrations, the chieftain leant down to his son's ear and said quietly:
Boasting attracts envy, and from such a union anger is born. And in a house where those two live, there is no room for happiness.
The son looked gravely at his father and nodded.
