Once upon a time there lived in the world a bear, young and very wealthy. His father had previously owned many companies across countries all over the world, but when he grew old, he handed over all management to his son — Bear Pavlovich. The main source of income for the family came from farms and fields where various crops were grown.
The heir studied at a respectable university somewhere abroad and was completely uninterested in his father's affairs. He delegated all his responsibilities for growing various crops to a peasant who was a true professional in agriculture. The peasant's name was Ivan.
He had a large, very large family: a beautiful wife, four sons and two daughters. And, of course, there was never enough money for everyone: the girls needed to buy beautiful dresses and jewellery, and the sons had to change their phones and tablets every month — they were so active and constantly lost or broke their things.
Bear Pavlovich, in his foreign land, took no interest in the fields whatsoever. And so, when it came time to harvest the crops, the young manager became absorbed in a new entertainment — computer games — and had no interest whatsoever in the turnips, of which they had planted a whole two hectares. Every day Ivan would ring his boss the bear to ask permission to harvest, but he was always too busy. The peasant rang the bear on the phone and sent him emails, but got no reply. And only one way was found to contact the manager — Skype.
Hello, Bear Pavlovich! Why can't I get through to you?! It's time to harvest the turnips, but you won't get back to me!
The peasant cried indignantly at his laptop screen.
Why should I care? All I care about is getting money from these turnips. You cut the tops using the modern equipment my father bought, and throw away the roots.
Replied the bear.
What are you saying? The most valuable part of a turnip is the roots, not the tops!
The peasant shouted even louder.
So, who's the boss here? Who's in charge, me or you? So do as I tell you.
Grumbled Bear Pavlovich and disconnected.
How can this be!
Thought Ivan.
There will be no profit if I do as the bear says, but I need to feed my family.
And so the peasant decided to outwit the bear. He dug up the roots himself and sold them abroad for a good price, and sent the tops to Korea as the bear had instructed. Of course, there was no profit, and the bear urgently contacted the peasant.
Listen, Ivan! Why was there no profit from our turnips? Did you do everything as I said?
Yes, I did! I sent the tops to Korea and processed the roots with the new equipment and threw them away!
The peasant answered confidently.
Strange. Well then, soon it will be time to harvest the wheat. Let's try the opposite — we'll sell the roots and throw away the tops. Do you understand? Be careful, peasant, don't mix them up!
Don't worry, Bear Pavlovich, I'll do everything perfectly!
The peasant answered with a grin and disconnected.
With the wheat harvest in the fields, Ivan acted just as cunningly — he did everything correctly and properly, whilst appearing to follow the bear's foolish orders.
What on earth is happening again?
The bear cried threateningly at his laptop screen.
Why is there no profit again? Did you get everything mixed up?
What do you mean, bear? I did everything as you said — sold the roots, threw away the tops.
The peasant answered calmly.
Then why haven't we received any money at all, absolutely no profit? Is wheat really that cheap these days?
Cried the furious bear. It turned out that the old father, who had entrusted all his affairs to his son's control, had learned of everything that was happening, and realised he had made a mistake.
From that day on, the father bear stopped indulging his son: no pocket money, no new stylish things, nothing was bought or given. He even took away the new Lamborghini and bought an old Lada instead.
And so the peasant outwitted the bear, accumulated wealth for himself, and secured a long and happy life for his children.
Read new fairy tales so that nothing like this ever happens to you.
