Drum Chieftain: Stories about Native Animals

BUG

Here's the news, the news! A sheep rolled around at night and brought two lambs. Beautiful, in black coats. The hostess was happy, the owner was happy, I was jumping for joy too, I even stroked the lambs. And the next day, Grandma Anyuta cried out:

– Oh, the trouble with our twins...

“How do you know?” asked Grandfather Dmitriy.

– Because one is crying, crying without stopping...

Hearing this, we quickly ran into the barn. We opened the door and looked into the dark enclosure... One lamb, huddled next to the ewe, was sucking milk, while the other stood there like an orphan, crying pitifully:

- Be-e-e!.. Be-e-e!..

“Didn’t you accept it?” the owner was frightened.

I picked up the lamb and brought it to its mother. But she pushed it away with her forehead and wouldn't let it come near her.

– Oh, you fool!.. – Grandfather Dmitrok got angry. – Don't you want to feed your child? So I'll force you!..

We caught the sheep, pressed it to the ground, and put the lamb next to it. It immediately stuck to the udder, its tail quivering. In short, we fed the hungry Bug – that’s what Grandpa called the lamb. What to do next? You won’t keep a stupid sheep every day. It’s a good thing the cow had enough milk: for both the bull and the lamb… Grandpa Zmitrok replaced Bug’s mother. He began to feed the baby from a bottle. When he saw Grandpa’s lamb, he would nudge him in the knee: he said, feed me quickly! The old man would ride his bicycle to the store, and Bug would run after him around the village like a dog. And he would definitely get a treat – a crust of bread. Not even one, because everyone who came out of the store treated Grandpa’s pet. For this, he kissed everyone’s hand and wasn’t the least bit ashamed.