The Cook and the Boyar

Once upon a time, a certain nobleman, preparing to go out in his carriage for a stroll, ordered his cook to roast a goose by the time he returned.

"But if the devil tempts you to eat even a single bite, I’ll have you tied up by your hands and feet and give you so many lashes that you’ll never even think of meat again."

"Understood, sir."

"Listen well: if you understand, then you understand. And by the time I return, the goose must be ready—not too hot, not too cold, but just right for a hungry stomach." The cook set to work, roasted the goose to perfection—golden brown and fragrant—so much so that his own mouth watered.

He endured, endured, but couldn’t hold back; he cut off one of the goose’s legs and ate it. The nobleman returned and, seeing that the goose was missing a leg, nearly burst with frustration and anger.

"So this is how you are, you glutton! Didn’t I warn you not to touch the goose unless you wanted to see your grandmother from the other side?"

"But the goose is intact, sir."

"Then who ate the leg? May the grave worms feast on you!"

"Sir, the goose only had one leg."

"What nonsense are you spouting? Since when do geese have only one leg!" exclaimed the nobleman as he devoured the bird.

"If you don’t believe me, sir, let’s go to the pond, and you’ll see with your own eyes."

"Very well, but if it’s not as you say, I know exactly what to do with you."

They went to the pond. Whether they walked for a long time or a short time, they soon reached the shore. The sun was shining brightly, the day was beautiful, and the geese were standing on one leg, preening their wings with their beaks.

"Well, sir, you see, all the geese have one leg." But the nobleman clapped his hands and shouted:

"Shoo... shoo... shoo... shoo!" The geese startled, got frightened, and scattered in all directions.

"See, my boy, they all have two legs."

"Well then, sir... why didn’t you shout at that goose: shoo... shoo... shoo... shoo!"

The nobleman stared at him, but had no retort; he hung his head and stayed silent. From then on, he never scolded the cook for tasting what he had prepared.

More fairy tales

• How Tyndale Mistook Himself for a Priest
• Trandafir - the Wheat Grain
• What Did Pekale Buy?
• The Turk and the Girl
• Pekală and Tindală at the Priest's Work