One day a man was walking across a slippery bridge over a river, carrying a bundle of firewood. Suddenly — splash! — his axe fell into the river. The man descended from the bridge to the shore and listened carefully.
Just then, a cat emerged from beneath the water. This was the Water Cat — the spirit of the river. His fur gleamed like the river's surface in sunlight, and his eyes were green, like river algae.
Your axe just fell into my river? — asked the spirit.
Yes, it's mine. Please give it back to me!
I will, only if you settle our dispute. Who is stronger — water or earth?
Earth, earth is stronger!
After these words, the river spirit frowned and replied:
You doubt my strength? I will perform three miracles before your very eyes! Climb on my back!
The man climbed on, and the spirit soared into the air. How long they flew, no one knows, but they landed in a desert.
Do you see the desert? — asked the river spirit.
Yes, — answered the woodcutter.
Then look! — cried the Cat and struck the sand with his paw.
A small stream immediately flowed from the hole that formed. The spirit struck even harder, and a creek flowed from the hole. It was larger than the stream, but still no one would have called it a river. But then the Cat struck a third time, and a wide, full-flowing river poured from the hole. Immediately, the earth around began to transform: sprouts began to break through the surface. Another moment — and in place of the sprouts, bright flowers appeared, bushes with leaves rustling in the wind, and giant trees whose crowns touched the very sky.
That's what water can do! — laughed the water spirit. — Still don't believe me?
I believe you, — answered the woodcutter.
Look further! Climb on my back!
And again they were in flight. They landed again, but this time in a field, dry as an autumn leaf. The spirit struck his paw again, and a spring gushed from the hole.
The drooping grain stalks immediately began to straighten, and soon the field seemed golden.
Let's fly on! — commanded the spirit and soared into the air.
They flew for a long time, but finally the spirit stopped in mid-air, and the woodcutter understood what had alarmed and even angered him. They were flying right over a river, and an island in the middle was burning.
But the spirit didn't lose his composure. He waved his paw toward the fire, and the river's waters seemed to go wild. The water churned, bubbled, and finally rushed onto the island. The last flicker of flame sparkled and went out.
Do you see? — asked the spirit.
I see, — answered the woodcutter.
The spirit took the woodcutter back to his river and gave him his axe.
And the woodcutter remembered the lesson about the power of water for the rest of his life.
