17
THE RICHEST GROOM
THE RICHEST GROOM
From the book by Vladimir Megre "The Family Book"
(translated by Marian Schwartz)
Two neighbors lived in a certain village. Their families were friendly, they
worked to their delight on their own land. In the spring, the orchards
bloomed on the two plots, and each contained a small woods. A son was
born to each in the family. When the sons of the two friendly families grew
up, one day the two families issued a firm decision at a holiday table: to put
everything in their sons’ hands.
“Let our sons now decide what to sow and when, and you and I, my
friend, now must not contradict our sons with a look or a hint,” one said.
“I agree,” the other answered. “Let our sons, if they want, modify the
house their own way. They themselves can choose their clothing and decide
what livestock and goods they need.”
“Fine,” the other answered. “Let our sons be independent, and let them
choose themselves worthy brides. We will find brides for our sons together,
my friend.”
Thus the two neighbors firmly decided. Their wives supported their initi-
ative, and the families began to live under the control of their grown sons.
However, from that time on, the lives of the two families began to differ.
In one, the son was energetic and took everyone into consideration. He
began to be called first in the village. In the other, the son seemed pensive
and sluggish, and people began to call him the second. The first cut and
hauled off the young forest the father had planted to market. He bought a
