The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

RUSSIAN TALE

A WOLF RAN OUT OF THE FOREST INTO THE VILLAGE BECAUSE
HUNTERS, WORKERS AND DOGS WERE AFTER HIM. THE WOLF CAME
TO A CAT ON A FENCE AND IMPLORED HER TO HELP HIM:
"VASIL, MY FRIEND, WHICH MAN FROM THIS VILLAGE IS GOOD
ENOUGH TO HIDE ME? YOU HEAR THE DOGS BARKING. THAT
HORRIBLE NOISE! THAT IS ALL ABOUT ME!"
THE CAT SAID, "RUN FAST TO TRAFEMA, A VERY GOOD MAN."
BUT THE WOLF ANSWERED, "I'M AFRAID OF HIM BECAUSE I
ATE HIS SHEEP."
THEN THE CAT SAID, "THEN GO TO SIMON, A VERY GOOD MAN."
"I'M AFRAID OF HIM BECAUSE I KILLED HIS COLT."
"THEN GO TO IVAN, A VERY GOOD MAN."
"I'M AFRAID OF HIM BECAUSE I STOLE HIS GOAT."
"WELL MAYBE KLEM WILL HIDE YOU."
"I'M AFRAID OF HIM BECAUSE I STOLE HIS PIGLET."
THEN THE CAT SAID, "I SEE YOU HAVE SALTED EVERYONE IN
THE VILLAGE. WHAT YOU HAVE SOWN YOU MUST NOW REAP.

Submitter comment: THE ORIGINAL WAS IN RHYME IN RUSSIAN.
IN THE TEXT, "SALTED" MEANS "AFFRONTED". "SALTING" REFERS
TO THE MEANS OF PRESERVING SLAUGHTERED GAME--THE MEAT
WAS SALTED. THE WOLF HAD SLAUGHTERED THE VILLAGERS'
ANIMALS, OR "SALTED" THEM. IT IS USED LOOSELY HERE--
HE SALTED THE PEOPLE, NOT THE ANIMALS.
ALSO, NOTE THAT THE LAST SENTENCE THE CAT SAYS IS REALLY
A QUOTE FROM THE BIBLE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills

James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN TALE

Date learned: 12-00-1983

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