In order to put an end to outspoken criticism, to forbid bitter words,
to punish the czar's opponents severely,
the tyrant pronounced a sentence:
The minister was questioned and beheaded, and
his white-haired head was cut off.
When the minister came to the tyrant,
he didn't shed tears or grieve,
he was fearless in the face of danger, spoke frankly, and
he dared to dedicate a fable.
The tsar was full of anger,
But the minister didn't panic.
He spoke plausibly with a loud voice:
"One day,
a child was in the mirror, and
he saw his ugly face.
he became angry from embarrassment and hit the mirror hard.
he exulted that he could smash the mirror.
The next morning, he was playing in the field, and
in the river, he saw his ugly face.
how can you break the river? This can't be done!
he had to feel ashamed of himself.
O king, you are shameless.
How similar this story is to your deeds!
That mirror is me, please smash it.
But that river has been passed down from generation to generation, and it keeps flowing.
You can see your face in the river. "
this fable convinced the king.
He ordered: Give the minister a chance to live.
Wait, it's better to
exile him to Siberia.
If it weren't for this,
the sentence would be lenient,
it would be no different from that fable.