The Bear and the Rooster

An old man had a grown son who dreamed of having a wedding, but there was little money in the house. The son suggested selling the ox, the ram and the rooster.…

An old man had a grown son who dreamed of having a wedding, but there was little money in the house. The son suggested selling the ox, the ram and the rooster. When the animals heard the conversation, they decided to show that they could help the family in another way. They went into the forest and built a small workshop hut beside a clearing.

The ox brought logs and clay, the ram provided wool for warm belts, and the rooster woke his friends at dawn and kept things in order. Soon there were carved shelves, clay mugs and colourful rugs in the hut. The son found the note they had left and realized he had been too quick to think only of selling them.

One day a bear came to the workshop. Hearing his footsteps, the rooster puffed up his feathers and loudly listed all their tools — hammer, axe, plane and rope — making the startled visitor step backwards. The rooster immediately asked in a friendly voice how he could help. The bear calmed down and explained that he had come to ask them to repair a wobbly bench beside his den.

At the bear's den, the old man's son joined the friends. He had found them by following their note, asked their forgiveness and offered to help. The bear held the bench, the son fastened a new board, the ox brought the parts, the ram passed them strong cord, and the rooster found a suitable wooden wedge. They all worked side by side until the bench was level and sturdy.

At the village fair, the workshop sold mugs, shelves and rugs. By a shared decision, they set aside part of the proceeds for a modest wedding and a spacious new animal shelter, and held the celebration right beside the market stalls. The rooster was the first to congratulate the newlyweds with a loud crow. The bear gave them the sturdy bench, and the ox and ram decorated it with ribbons. The son thanked his friends and promised that from then on he would discuss important decisions with everyone they affected.