In the ocean, right in the middle of deep and 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 that were colored in all the shades of the rainbow. Palms, huge cacti, and even baobabs grew here.
People also lived on this island, and among them lived a very lazy boy named Herman. He didn't like to work 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 under a lush tall palm tree and said:
Go ahead, go ahead, work away. And when you catch a bunch of fish, then call me, because I'm really hungry.
How can you do this? You do nothing all day, but you're the first to come running when it's time to eat. It's not right to act this way, because there are many elderly people on this island for whom it's hard to fish and hunt.
The local residents protested.
But I don't want to work. I'm doing just fine as I am!
The boy answered with an impudent look.
Months and years passed this way. Herman not only didn't help his elders, he flatly refused to study. There was a small school on the island where only seven children studied. They were taught literacy, writing, mathematics, and natural science. But Herman never attended classes. He had completely different plans. The boy really wanted to find a job where he would hardly work at all but earn a lot of money.
There's no such job, Herman, where you don't have to do anything.
Everyone around him said.
But I'll definitely trick everyone and find exactly that kind 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 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 is that?
One of the island's inhabitants exclaimed.
Stretching lazily, Herman crawled out of his hut. He stretched, scratched his head, and said:
Ah, this must be a dream! Wow, I fell asleep so deeply that I'm dreaming all this!
No, this isn't a dream, this is a real island. But where did it come from, since 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 with large rocky mountains rising on it.
This is amazing! Maybe someone even lives there?
He shouted.
We must definitely sail closer and find out if there's anyone there, or if this island is uninhabited.
Oh, count me out. That means rowing a boat with oars, and I wasn't born for that. I want to engage in "doing nothing," and these physical exercises with oars are definitely not for me.
Herman declared gloomily.
Several companions grouped together, carried the boat to the water, took up the oars, and rowed toward 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? Do they have 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. So interesting, I've never seen such people!
One of the guys reported.
I remember! A long time ago someone told me that people with this color of hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes are called albinos. They differ from us slightly in appearance, but generally they're the same as us. They can talk, they can work, study, speak, 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 under 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 but yourself? After all, to live well, you don't have to be lazy and treat others badly, it's enough to simply work and be happy.
One woman protested.
No way! If I put him in an enclosure, I won't have to do anything else. Money will just flow into my pocket, and I'll just lie around and give orders.
Herman stood his ground.
All the people on the island just waved the boy away. No one could imagine that one dark night Herman would actually decide to sail to the new land for a unique albino.
The boy moored the boat, got out on shore, 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 came to invite you to visit me. There are many people on our island, and we can become friends.
Herman quickly answered.
The boy's voice was so sneaky that the albino suspected something. Then the white man decided to be cunning too. He invited Herman to taste some delicious fruits and only then go visit his new friend.
They went into a small hut, where the albino suggested Herman rest a little. The lazy boy agreed, since this was his favorite 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 lived his whole life on the island of albinos under a large green palm tree.
