Once upon a time, a long time
ago, a woman was watering her sheep. Her husband had reminded her to be
sure and cover the well tightly when she was done as water was
scarce. But when she was done watering the sheep, she forgot to
close the well. Soon, the well filled and the water poured out. It
flowed and flowed, and flooded the grassland at the bottom of the
hill. The sheep bleated in fright.
The woman tried to stop the
flow of water by covering the well. But the water was moving too rapidly.
It tossed the cover into the air, and poured even more forcefully out of
the well.
Just then, a warrior came
riding by.
"Can you help me?"
the woman cried. "I cannot stop the water!"
The warrior shot an arrow into
the tallest mountain, splitting it in two. One part fell onto the well and
stopped the water from pouring out.
The woman turned to the
warrior, eager to thank him and to offer him food to eat when suddenly
something occurred to her. She blurted, "But how will I get to the
water again? It is under a mountain."
The warrior only bowed and
smiled and went on his way.
When the woman realized that
she had not offered food or greeting, she hung her head in shame.
To learn more about the ancient Mongols, great gers,
two-hump camels, whistle arrows, horse head fiddles, well-wishing, salty
tea, and the magical Shamas, click on the link below.