Ivan Krylov
Quartet

One summer day, a monkey
A goat, a bear, and
A donkey
Got the idea to perform as a quartet.
They got a cello, violins, and music scores
And settled comfortably outdoors —
To charm the audience with gentle minuets.
They struck the chords with ample force, and yet
No tune, just raspy squeaks. «Oh, wait!»
The monkey cried,
«The music would not flow unless you're sitting right!
You, dear Bear, sit beside the violin
Your cello then will have a better sound.
That's when the real music will begin
You'll see the trees dance in a merry round!»
They switched their seats according to her claim.
No harmony, the strings still screeching.
At once, the donkey brayed «Wrong tune again!
Now I know why; let's have another go
This time we will arrange a single row.»
Once more, they moved according to his word,
Alas! Their bows still sounded in discord!
The hapless team, upset by their trouble
Began to squabble.
A wakeful nightingale, who heard the noise below,
Came down and landed on the nearest bough.
The band appealed to her,
«Please, do us all a favor,
Please tell us why our effort is a failure!
We have the instruments; we have the music sheets
Just help our orchestra to choose the proper seats!»
«Your ears are not keen for music scale»,
Replied the nightingale with a sweet warble,
«The skills are key to music, not your squabble.

Your changing seats, or places, or positions
Will not help you, my friends, become musicians.»

Translated by Olga Dumer