Vazuza and Volga

Once upon a time there were two river sisters, Vazuza and Volga. One day they came to a clear spring in the forest and talked about the journey to the distant…

Once upon a time there were two river sisters, Vazuza and Volga. One day they came to a clear spring in the forest and talked about the journey to the distant sea. Each wanted to find her own way and discover the forests, fields and towns along it. The sisters agreed to set off after a night's rest and compare their stories at the end of their journey.

That evening they settled down on the bank beneath the birch trees. Volga soon fell asleep to the rustling leaves, but Vazuza sat beside the water for a long time. She could hardly wait to find out where the silvery path would lead. She watched the stars, listened to the stream and wondered which of the two routes to choose.

Before dawn, Vazuza quietly got up and set off along the narrow stream. As a farewell, she left her sister a twig with a blue ribbon so that she would not worry. The moon lit the brightening waterway, and a warm band of new daylight was already appearing on the horizon.

When Volga awoke, she saw the ribbon and knew her sister was already on her way. She chose the other route and flowed broad and steady, without trying to overtake Vazuza. Sometimes their paths drew close, and the sisters waved to each other across the green banks. Each river watered her own meadows and helped the settlements along her way.

At a broad, sunny bend, the two streams finally met. Vazuza and Volga joined hands and happily told each other about everything they had seen. They decided there was no need to argue over whose route was better: narrow Vazuza and full-flowing Volga helped the world in different but equally important ways. Joined together, their waters flowed toward the sea with even greater strength.