In ancient times, mosquitoes appeared on Earth along with other living creatures. No one really knows why Mother Nature created mosquitoes. But they have a very high opinion of themselves, even though they are capable of only one thing — flying up with a buzz to a living being, quietly landing on a bare, and thus the most vulnerable, spot, and making... a little prick. You won't feel the mosquito's sting right away, but later, when a bump appears and a terrible itch arises — you might as well dive into the water or rub salt into the sore spot.
That's what a mosquito is like — it is not afraid of humans, horses, or elephants, but it is afraid of the wind, bad weather, rain, downpours, and other whims of the elements.
As soon as the wind blows or the rain starts to fall, the mosquito immediately dives under a leaf or hides in thick grass; in short, it squeezes into every crack. The main thing is to find shelter in time, otherwise, the wind will catch it and carry it away to a place from which it won't find its way back home.
If the rain pours for a day or two, and the wind doesn't calm down for a whole week, the mosquito still patiently sits in its hiding place and does not suffer from hunger at all. What a resilient creature it is!
But if the days and nights are warm and pleasant, as people say, then the mosquito is busy with work. It buzzes and buzzes like a little motor, and no one can find peace; especially the boys and girls suffer, as it also stings those who sleep in the fields during the day, and it can even crawl into your mouth or ear if you don't notice. All it wants is to drink fresh blood. What a beast this mosquito is!
— Why do you feed on hot blood, yet you are so thin? — asked a horsefly one day. — Look at me, for example, I am also a bloodsucker. And look how healthy and strong I am. Maybe you are just a big coward, and that's why you're so skinny, huh? The wind blows — you hide and tremble. The rain pours — you hide and shake again. Or maybe you don't even have a heart?
— I do have a heart! — replied the mosquito. — It's just that I am always like this. Do you know how hard I have to work to get food? Others take it freely and wherever they want. But me? I always sneak up... I get swatted, chased away, poisoned with smoke, and various ointments, and I don't need much — just a drop of blood. And they don't give it away easily. Every time I approach my target, I really fear being squashed into a pancake. You have it easy, horsefly. You can quietly fly in, suck some blood, and quietly fly away. If you get hit, your wing might get torn off, but you'll still be alive. If I get hit — there will be nothing left of me. Although I don't consider myself weak or a coward, I try to be extremely careful. Especially around humans. Don't expect mercy from them. If they swat you — they will swat you... I do have strength. I just wish I had a bit more health. Then I would show everyone what a mosquito is capable of... However, I must fly now. It seems the boys have come to swim at the lake. While they are taking off their shirts and pants, I will have time to feast... Goodbye... — And off he flew.
And once there was... a strong wind began and blew for several days in a row. The mosquito, frightened by the raging elements, sat in thick grass all those days. From fear and constant tension, it even became unrecognizably thin, almost transparent and bloodless. To be honest, the mosquito did not recognize itself when the storm finally calmed down, and it left its shelter and saw itself in the mirror of the water. All the insects began to laugh and mock the mosquito.
— What’s wrong with you? — the mosquito protested. — If it weren't for me, the wind would have carried you all away. I held the grass tightly by the stem. Without me, the wind would have uprooted it and carried it far, far away. And in an open place, you wouldn't be able to hold on either. Hey, you ungrateful creatures! Instead of carrying me on your hands, you laugh at me! Fine, one day you will understand who saved you from trouble. You will start looking for me, and I will be gone — I will fly far, far away...
And the mosquito flew off to the thick forests, where there are many swamps and it is always damp, a place where the wandering wind does not visit often.
It is said that since then, the Kyrgyz people have had a saying: "Don't turn a lie into truth, don't boast without working." Or maybe it is true? And the mosquito was right? But who will check now? — A lot of water has flowed in the rivers since then.