Fraternity-Testvériség, 1958 (36. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
1958-02-01 / 2. szám
FRATERNITY 9 “You already showed your gratitude long ago, o wise Abu Majub. You proved it when you took mercy on me and did not kill me even though you could have done so.” Abu Majub shook his head in astonishment. “If you insist, Ruler of Animals, it must indeed be so. But I know nothing about it. Tell me who you are that I may include your name in my prayers.” The elephant laughed again, and now his laughter was like the fearsome roar of a thousand waterfalls. Winking foxily with his small eyes, he said: “I am surprised that you fail to recognize me. Why, I am — the flea. Your flea. It was your tolerance that enabled me to fatten, swell and expand to my present size.” Abu Majub collapsed in numb stupefaction and paralyzing astonishment. And then Allah enlightened his mind. The fool-hardy sage realized that he might still rectify everything by preventing the further growth of the elephant — by destroying him without delay. He rose and looked around for a cudgel or a rock or some other object suitable for the purpose. But the elephant sensed trouble, raised his trunk and gently trumpeted at Abu Majub. And the gentle trumpeting was like the raging of a windstorm and the fury of a tempest. It swept Abu Majub to a respectable distance, and the elephant wuth terrifying gallop disappeared into the forest. Abu Majub wanted to run after him; but he was tired, he was weak, he was old, he was cowardly, and he was wise. So he contented himself with glancing sadly after the elephant and heaving a deep sigh: “It should have been done when he was but a flea!” * * * (Translated from the original Hungarian by FSO Andor Kl ay, author of “Daring Diplomacy".)
