Larch and Saxaul

(Source: Katonkaragay – the land of legends: electronic resource / compiled by Zhumagulova Gulzira Dauletkhanovna. – Ust-Kamenogorsk: Reklamnyy daydzhest, 2024. – 176 p.)

Once upon a time, Larch and Saxaul grew side by side on a green, fertile plain. But they could not share the space and were constantly arguing: «Move away!», «Stay away!» – not giving each other a chance to live. In the end, a real war broke out between them.

Saxaul turned out to be a good shot and fired his arrows at Larch. The prickly needles covering Larch from head to toe are the arrows fired by Saxaul. And Larch was skilled in throwing spears. The bumps and scars all over Saxaul’s body are traces of Larch’s spear blows.

No one could separate them. Then Willow and Poplar, after consulting, decided to flood the battlefield.

Saxaul, frightened by the water, went into the desert. The larch tree, avoiding moisture, climbed into the mountains. Since then, she has been standing at the top, as if she were guarding so that Saxaul would not return. And the Saxaul, afraid of the Larch, hides in the sands, exposing its thorns.

So, unable to get along together, the two mighty trees dispersed: one to the mountains, the other to the steppe. And the fertile lands, saturated with moisture, were freely occupied by Willow and Poplar.