My Russian Grandad used to tell us one old tale. When New Year holidays approached, all children of grandparents with their children came to them – it was a big company of different ages, - sat down the table and waited for Grandma’s baking and yzvar. Meantime we listened to Grandad’s story:
Long time ago one poor man lived. He was so poor that couldn’t buy anything tasty for New Year holiday. But he was very clever man. His barin (in old Russia a member of gentry) was presented 5 roasted geese and asked this man:
- Can you solve my problem? I’ve got five geese and my family consists of 6 members: two sons, two daughters, my wife and myself. How to divide the geese into equal parts ?
- It’s very easy!
- Really? If you solve my problem I present you whatever you want.
- OK! Call your family and bring geese.
Barin did.
A man took one goose and gave to barin and his wife: “There are three of you”.
Then he gave another goose to barin’s sons : “There are three of you”.
Next goose was given to his daughters : “There are three of you”.
And he took last two geese: “There are three of us”.
Barin laughed, he was surprise with poor man’s mother wit and courage.
Everybody took the equal part and barin presented two geese this poor cheery man.
That is all.
As a Russian proverb says:
The tale is over, made you joy.
Who listened to it, is a good boy!