The Willow Sprout

The owner managed to find a willow sapling somewhere and planted it in his garden. It was a rare variety of willow. The owner took great care of the sapling, watering it himself every day. But then the owner had to leave for a week. He called his servant and said to him:

- Take good care of the sapling: water it every day, and most importantly, make sure the neighbor's children don't pull it out or trample it.

- Alright, - replied the servant, - the owner need not worry.
The owner left. A week later, he returned and went to check the garden. The sapling was still in place, but it was completely wilted.

- You must not have watered it, did you? - the owner asked angrily.
- No, I watered it, just as you said. I kept an eye on it, never took my eyes off it, - the servant replied. - In the morning, I would go out to the balcony and watch the sapling until evening. And when it got dark, I would pull it out, take it inside, and lock it in a box.

More fairy tales

• Whose Treasure Is Better
• The Bell from the Dragon's Palace
• Friend and Brother
• I Know It Myself
• The Magic Pot