Old man Kaltsik said: “We never go to Súbbas’ house. No one ever goes there.”
Tskel said: “I will give you anything you want if you will go.” Tskel teased a long time, and at last Kaltsik said: “I will go.”
He started just at daybreak. He traveled fast, going up all the time. He reached Súbbas’ house in the middle of the sky before Súbbas got there. He turned himself into a little clump of bushes, right on Súbbas’ trail. When Súbbas came hurrying along, he stumbled against the bushes, and said: “What is here? I never saw anything on this trail before.”
Kaltsik took his own form, jumped up, and said, “I am here.”
“What are you here for?” asked Súbbas.
“Tskel has lost his brother, little Tcûskai, and he wants you to tell him where he is.” [[302]]
“I can’t wait to talk,” said Súbbas. “I am always hurrying along; I only stop here at midday. I’m afraid Lok will catch me.”
“Oh,” said Kaltsik, “you should tell Tskel where his brother is. I’m sorry for him; he feels lonesome.”
“Come to-morrow,” said Súbbas, and he hurried along. It was night when Kaltsik got down to the ground. The next morning he started and before midday he turned himself into weeds and lay on Súbbas’ path. When Súbbas came rushing along, he said: “What is this? I never saw anything on my trail before.” Kaltsik sprang up. “Why have you come here?” asked Súbbas. “I have no time to spend talking.”
Kaltsik said: “Tskel will give you anything you want if you will tell him where Tcûskai is. He has all kinds of things; beautiful beads—”