In the ocean, right in the middle of the deep, dark blue waters, lay a small island. The flora and fauna here were diverse. Many different birds, exotic animals and other creatures had lived here for many years. The island also had many beautiful and unique plants, which were painted in all the colours of the rainbow. Palm trees, enormous cacti and even baobabs grew here.
People also lived on this island, and amongst them lived a very lazy boy called Herman. He didn't like working at all, and spent the whole day lying down, turning from one side to the other.
When all the locals gathered for fishing, to catch fish for lunch, Herman lay beneath a lush, tall palm tree and said:
Off you go, off you go, get to work. And when you've caught loads of fish, then you can call me, because I'm ever so hungry.
How can you behave like this? You do nothing all day, yet you're the first to turn up for food. It's not right to act this way, because there are many elderly people on this island who find it difficult to fish and hunt.
The local residents protested.
Well, I don't want to work. I'm doing just fine as I am!
The lad replied with a cheeky look.
Months and years passed this way. Herman not only refused to help his elders, he flatly refused to study. There was a small school on the island where just seven children studied. They were taught literacy, writing, mathematics and natural history. Herman never attended lessons. He had completely different plans. The boy desperately wanted to find work where he'd hardly have to do anything, but would earn lots of money.
There's no such job, Herman, where you don't have to do anything.
Everyone around him said.
I'll definitely trick everyone and find exactly that sort of occupation — 'doing nothing'.
One fine day, a thick fog settled around the island. The ocean completely disappeared from view, only a dense haze rose above the shore, and even at arm's length nothing could be seen.
The people had nothing else to do but go to sleep. In such weather they couldn't fish at all, and it was impossible to go hunting — there was only fog all around.
The night passed. Early in the morning everyone slowly began to wake up and saw that not far from the island rose strange, previously unknown, tall rocky mountains.
Everyone, look, what's that?
One of the island's inhabitants exclaimed.
Stretching lazily, Herman crawled out of his hut. He stretched, scratched his head, and said:
Ah, it's probably a dream! Blimey, I've fallen so fast asleep that I'm dreaming all this!
No, this isn't a dream, it's a real island. But where did it come from, because it wasn't here before?
The people wondered.
Then Herman, rubbing his eyes thoroughly, looked into the distance more carefully. And indeed, on the horizon he saw a new island, on which large rocky mountains rose.
This is incredible! Perhaps someone even lives there?
He shouted.
We must definitely row closer and find out if there's anyone there, or whether this island is uninhabited.
Oh, count me out. That means having to row a boat with oars, and I wasn't born for that. I want to do 'nothing', and these physical exercises with oars aren't for me at all.
Herman declared gloomily.
Several companions grouped together, carried the boat to the water, took up the oars and rowed towards the new island. A day passed, and finally the people returned.
You won't believe your ears! People live on this island, but they're completely different from us!
One of them shouted.
What do you mean completely different? Have they got four arms or two heads?
Herman laughed.
No, their arms and heads are the same as ours. But their hair, eyebrows, eyelashes — all of it is white. It's so interesting, I've never seen such people before!
One of the lads told them.
I remember! A long time ago someone told me that people with that colour hair, eyebrows and eyelashes are called albinos. They differ from us slightly in appearance, but generally they're the same as us. They can speak, they can work, study, talk, eat and sleep just like us. But today there aren't as many such people in the world as there are of us.
Suddenly came a voice from beneath a small palm tree.
Oh, this is my chance! I've thought of an occupation for myself. I'll sail to this island, lure one of these albinos to us, put him in an enclosure, and show him to everyone around for money.
Herman suddenly shouted.
What are you thinking? How can you treat people like that? Don't you feel sorry for anyone except yourself? After all, to live well, you don't have to be lazy and treat others badly, you simply need to work and be happy.
One woman protested.
No way! If I put him in an enclosure, I won't have to do anything else. The money will just pour into my pocket, and I'll only have to lie about and give orders.
Herman stood his ground.
All the people on the island just waved the boy away. No one could have imagined that one dark night Herman would actually decide to sail to the new land in search of a unique albino.
The boy moored the boat, climbed ashore and set off in search of these people unknown to him.
Who are you?
Suddenly a frightened voice was heard.
I'm your friend! I've come to invite you to visit me. There are many people on our island, and we can be friends.
Herman quickly replied.
The boy's voice was so sly that the albino suspected something. Then the white man decided to be cunning too. He invited Herman to taste some delicious fruit and only then set off to visit his new friend.
They went into a small hut, where the albino suggested Herman rest a little. The lazy boy agreed, as this was his favourite activity. Closing his eyes, he immediately fell asleep. And when he woke up, he discovered that his legs were chained to a large palm tree.
Now I'll show you to everyone!
The albino laughed.
And so lazy Herman spent his whole life on the island of albinos beneath a large green palm tree.
