Ziz was a bug. A bug like any other, except he was terribly quarrelsome: out of boredom he loved to pick fights:
Whack, take that on the nose! — he would 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 tiny fists.
Whack, look at my moves! — the bug would box energetically in front of the ant's nose and laugh. — You can't do that!
Because of this behaviour, the bug was nicknamed Stink Bug.
The insects found meetings with Stink Bug unpleasant, as they often ended in fights. Stink Bug fought desperately, viciously, dealing blows to his opponent.
But it was impossible to avoid these meetings: Stink Bug would lie in wait for insects in the shade of a tree, then jump out, frightening them from nowhere, or suddenly swoop down, knocking them off their feet.
The insects grew tired of Stink Bug and decided to leave their homeland, to abandon the meadow.
One day Stink Bug 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 field. Stink Bug circled the meadow three times lengthwise and crosswise, but didn't see a single living soul. "Where has everyone gone?" thought Stink Bug, disappointed.
Hey you, arthropod cowards! Where have you all gone? — shouted Stink Bug, but no one answered.
Then he shouted louder:
Come out!
In response — silence. Stink Bug shouted even louder, even louder, even more…
Stink Bug shouted for a long time and waved his legs, he even turned red from the effort, but no one answered. The bug felt unbearably lonely and sad:
How will I live alone? Oh, how frightening, — and Stink Bug burst into bitter tears.
Who's flooded my burrow? — poked out a field mouse's sharp nose (she lived underground and didn't know about the insects' conspiracy).
Stop crying, my house is flooding from your tears.
Poor me, everyone has abandoned me! — sobbed the little bug.
Tears won't help your troubles, go to the Forest Keeper, ask him for advice, — and the mouse disappeared underground.
With nothing else to do, Stink Bug cleaned his wings and set off on a journey to the Forest Keeper, into the magical forest. For three days he flew without rest, and finally reached the magical place. The Forest Keeper welcomed the bug warmly, fed and gave him drink. Stink Bug told the Forest Keeper about his problem:
Everyone has abandoned me, I'm left all alone.
Perhaps you did something wrong? — asked the Forest Keeper.
No, everything was fine.
Perhaps you offended someone?
I didn't offend anyone.
Perhaps you teased someone?
Well, just a little.
A little yesterday, a little today, and in the end it adds up to a lot.
I won't do it again, I don't notice when I get angry, — whimpered Stink Bug.
Very well, I will help ease your suffering. But only on one condition.
What?
When you tease and get angry, an unpleasant rotten smell will come from you, as a warning to you and those around you. Remember at that moment how you were alone, and calm down.
All right, — sighed the little bug, — thank you very much, from now on I will control myself.
Good luck!
And the Forest Keeper vanished, and Stink Bug found himself on his native meadow, densely populated with insects. Little bugs buzzed as they flew, 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 Bug was happy to be among familiar friends.
From that day on, Stink Bug stopped quarrelling and getting angry. He learned to smile pleasantly, speak polite words, give way, come to agreements, maintain pleasant conversation, and make friends.
But still, sometimes Stink Bug emits an unpleasant smell, though this happens very rarely — only in cases of danger. In such situations, Stink Bug cannot control himself.
