Simeli Mountain

There were once two brothers. One was rich, the other poor. The rich brother never gave anything to the poor one. The poor man earned a meager living by selling corn, and often he had no bread for his wife and children. One day he was pushing a wheelbarrow through the forest when he saw a great, bare mountain on one side. He had never seen it before, so he stopped and stared in amazement.

While he stood there, he saw twelve big, wild-looking men coming toward him. He thought they were robbers, so he pushed his wheelbarrow into the bushes, climbed a tree, and waited to see what would happen.

The twelve men went to the mountain and shouted, “Semsi mountain, Semsi mountain, open!” At once the barren mountain split open down the middle. The twelve men went inside, and as soon as they were in, the mountain closed.

After a short time, it opened again, and the men came out carrying heavy sacks on their shoulders. When they were all outside, they said, “Semsi mountain, Semsi mountain, shut yourself!” The mountain closed together, and no entrance was to be seen. Then the twelve men went away.

When they were out of sight, the poor man climbed down from the tree. He was curious to know what was hidden in the mountain. So he went up to it and said, “Semsi mountain, Semsi mountain, open.” The mountain opened for him too.

He went inside, and the whole mountain was a cavern full of silver and gold. Behind were great piles of pearls and sparkling jewels, heaped up like corn. The poor man hardly knew what to do. He wondered if he could take any of the treasures.

At last he filled his pockets with gold, but he left the pearls and precious stones where they were. When he came out, he said, “Semsi mountain, Semsi mountain, shut yourself!” The mountain closed, and he went home with his wheelbarrow.

Now he had no more worries. He could buy bread for his wife and children with his gold, and wine as well. He lived joyfully and honestly, helped the poor, and did good to everyone.

When the money ran out, he went to his brother, borrowed a bushel measure, and brought himself some more gold. But he did not touch the most valuable things. When he wanted to fetch some more a third time, he again borrowed the measure from his brother.

The rich brother had long been envious of the poor brother's possessions and fine way of living. He could not understand where the riches came from or why his brother needed the measure. So he thought of a cunning trick. He covered the bottom of the measure with pitch.

When the poor brother returned the measure, a piece of gold was stuck to it. The rich brother went to him at once and asked, “What have you been measuring in the bushel measure?” “Corn and barley,” said the other.

Then the rich brother showed him the gold piece and threatened to take him to court if he did not tell the truth. So the poor man told him everything exactly as it happened.

The rich brother ordered his carriage to be made ready and drove away, determined to use the opportunity better than his brother had and to bring back much greater treasures.

When he came to the mountain, he cried, “Semsi mountain, Semsi mountain, open!” The mountain opened, and he went inside. There lay all the treasures before him. For a long time he did not know which to grab first.

At last he loaded himself with as many precious stones as he could carry. He wanted to carry his burden outside, but his heart and soul were so full of the treasures that he forgot the name of the mountain.

He cried, “Simeli mountain, Simeli mountain, open!” But that was not the right name, and the mountain did not stir. It remained shut. He became frightened. The longer he thought, the more confused he became, and his treasures were of no use to him.

In the evening, the mountain opened, and the twelve robbers came in. When they saw him, they laughed and shouted, “Bird, we have caught you at last! Did you think we never noticed you had been in here twice?

We could not catch you then, but this third time you shall not get out again!” Then he cried, “It was not I, it was my brother!” But no matter how he begged for his life, they cut off his head.