The Peasant and the Bear

A peasant went to the forest to sow turnips. He plows and works there. A bear came up to him: "Peasant, I'll break you." "Don't break me, little bear; better let's sow the turnips together. I'll take the roots for myself and give you the tops." "So be it," said the bear. "But if you deceive me, then don't you dare come to my forest." He said this and went off into the grove. The turnips grew large. The peasant came in autumn to dig them up. And the bear came out of the grove: "Peasant, let's divide the turnips; give me my share." "All right, little bear, let's divide: tops for you, roots for me." The peasant gave the bear all the greens. And he loaded the turnips onto his cart and drove to the city to sell them. The bear met him on the road: "Peasant, where are you going?" "I'm going, little bear, to the city to sell the roots." "Let me try one — what's the root like?" The peasant gave him a turnip. The bear ate it: "Ah!" he roared. "Peasant, you deceived me! Your roots are sweet. Now don't come to my forest for firewood, or I'll break you." The next year the peasant sowed rye in that same place. He came to reap it, and the bear was already waiting for him: "Now you won't deceive me, peasant; give me my share." The peasant said: "So be it. Take the roots, little bear, and I'll take the tops for myself." They harvested the rye. The peasant gave the bear the roots, loaded the rye onto his cart, and took it home. The bear struggled and struggled but could do nothing with the roots. He grew angry at the peasant, and from that time on enmity arose between the bear and the peasant.