Kiyaku atam zamannan araku taypasy meken etken aghysty, lay ózen­ning jaghasynda, tóbesi banan, palima japyraqtarymen ja­byl­ghan qarakólenke lashyqtyng ishinde qyzyl shaqa kýiinde dýniyege keldi. Ýy ishine qosylghan ekinshi balanyng quanysh toyy, yrym-sal­ty әsire-dabyrasyz, әdettegidey birkelki saltanatpen ótti. Odan keyin Kiyaku ózge sәbiyler sekildi emshek izdep, jylaytyn bol­dy, shyqylyqtap kýletin boldy. Barlyq sәbiyler sekildi ol da sýikimdi boldy. Ony kóbine estiyar aghasy arqalap jýretin. Ar­qa­lap jýrip, úzaq joldan oralghan balyqshylardyng aldynan shy­ghatyn, egistikte jemis terip jýrgen әielderge baratyn. Sheshesi Kiyakudyng ózin tanyp úmtylghanyna quanyp, mәz bolatyn.

Eki jasynda ony kórshi ýiding ózimen jasty búira bas qyzymen atastyryp, aimaqtaghy lashyqtardy shaqyryp, joralghy jasady. Óstip Kiyaku esin bildi. Ýsh jastan bylayghy ómiri onyng jadynda ýzik-ýzik eles kýiinde, ýreyli iә quanyshty, bolmasa týsiniksiz, kelte sәt kýiinde, odan keyin birkelki, jýieli tirshilik, úzyn sonar oqigha, qat-qabat qaqtyghys, qareket, uayym, baq-dәulet kýiinde tútas saqtalypty.

Kiyaku atam zamannan araku taypasy meken etken aghysty, lay ózen­ning jaghasynda, tóbesi banan, palima japyraqtarymen ja­byl­ghan qarakólenke lashyqtyng ishinde qyzyl shaqa kýiinde dýniyege keldi. Ýy ishine qosylghan ekinshi balanyng quanysh toyy, yrym-sal­ty әsire-dabyrasyz, әdettegidey birkelki saltanatpen ótti. Odan keyin Kiyaku ózge sәbiyler sekildi emshek izdep, jylaytyn bol­dy, shyqylyqtap kýletin boldy. Barlyq sәbiyler sekildi ol da sýikimdi boldy. Ony kóbine estiyar aghasy arqalap jýretin. Ar­qa­lap jýrip, úzaq joldan oralghan balyqshylardyng aldynan shy­ghatyn, egistikte jemis terip jýrgen әielderge baratyn. Sheshesi Kiyakudyng ózin tanyp úmtylghanyna quanyp, mәz bolatyn.

Eki jasynda ony kórshi ýiding ózimen jasty búira bas qyzymen atastyryp, aimaqtaghy lashyqtardy shaqyryp, joralghy jasady. Óstip Kiyaku esin bildi. Ýsh jastan bylayghy ómiri onyng jadynda ýzik-ýzik eles kýiinde, ýreyli iә quanyshty, bolmasa týsiniksiz, kelte sәt kýiinde, odan keyin birkelki, jýieli tirshilik, úzyn sonar oqigha, qat-qabat qaqtyghys, qareket, uayym, baq-dәulet kýiinde tútas saqtalypty.

Kiyakudyng tughan jeri - aqpa ózennen qol sozym jerdegi qalyng aghash tóbesinen sýmbidey shanshylghan kýn sәulesining arasymen sýrleu qualap, ashyq alangha shyqqanda bir-aq kórinetin lashyqtar tizbegi-tin. Ózenning búl qabaty qalyngha keulep engen shyghanaq tәrizdi jayylma tús. IYirimge eresek balalar au qúrady, tasbaqa aulaydy. Aghys aidap shyqqan úsaq balyqtar, keyde jalpaq túmsyq tukunarester, kýlgin pintadastar da baldyr arasynan jondary jyltyrap kórinip túrady. Biraq nege ekeni belgisiz, ýlken kisiler balyq aulaugha eki-ýsh kýndik alysqa ketetin. Keyde odan da kóp, birneshe kýn joghalady. Aqyrynda aghys bastauynan kónildi  qiqu estilip, balalarmen birge jarysa jýgirip, (nayza, qorap augha oralghan balyq arqalaghan, úzyndyghy kisi boyynan astam qyzghylt tanbaly zildey pirakurudy tórt-beseui әreng kóterip kele jatqan balyqshylardy kórgende tanghajayyp bir shat sezim boygha tarap, baqytty qylushy edi. Balalar maymyldarsha shu-shu etip, sekirip, bir-birimen alysyp, lashyqtargha jetkenshe meyram kýngidey dumandatyp keletin.

Búl kezde alangha júrttyng bәri jinalady. Shaldar da, kempirler de, bala kótergen әielder de, nayza laqtyryp, kýresip jatqan jastar da, inir týspey otty qorshap, temeki týtinin búrqyratyp, kýndizgi jaqsylyq ruhyn shygharyp salyp túrghan baqsylar da sharualaryn tastap, balyqshylardy qarsy alady.

Ymyrt mendep, qaranghy týsedi. Jyn-periler jaylaghan týn balasynda lashyqtan shyghyp, qam oilaytyn tiri jan neken-sayaq.

Kiyaku aspaly tósegining ýstinde etpetinen jatyp:

- Ákem qashan keledi? - deydi ottyng týbinde jemis tazalap otyrghan sheshesine. Sodan keyin "erten" deytin jauabyn kýtip, ýndemey qalady.

- Erten, - deydi sheshesi.

Kiyaku bir býiirine aunap týsip, "erten" deydi ishinen. Kóz aldyna temeki týtinin búrqyratyp, shóp qaynatyp otyrghan әkesin elestetedi.

Ákesi - basyna baq qonghan kóripkel, tәuip adam. Qarshadayynan әlde bir siqyrshylar taypasynyng arasynda ósip, baqsy-balgerlikting syryn úghypty desedi. Sondyqtan oghan býkil aimaqtaghy jaralanghan anshylar, dertke shaldyqqan, qarghys dúghasy atqan gharipter, tipti kýieuin qyzghanghan әielderge deyin kelip, shipa tileydi. Biraq әkesi tәniri jolyna berilgen taqua adam bolghandyqtan, ot basynda otyruy az. Janbyr tasqyny basylysymen arqasyna dorbasyn asyp, aghash japyraghynan jasalghan qayyghyna otyryp, úzaq sapar­gha attanady. Qalyng orman, tau-tasty aralap, dualy dәri jasaytyn shóp, japyraq, tamyr izdeydi. Tek tolyq ay meyramyna bir kýn qalghanda toydy elmen birge ótkizu ýshin qaytyp oralatyn. Odan taghy ketedi.

- Kiyaku! - deydi sheshesi múnyng úiyqtamay jatqanyn sezip. Kiyaku úiyqtap jatqan bop kórinu ýshin dybys bermeydi. Sheshesi janyna kelip, shashynan sipaydy. Kiyaku basyn kóterip, sheshesining tanghajayyp raqat sezimine bóleytin meyirban, múndy kózderin kóredi.

- Úiyqta! - deydi sheshesi shashynan erkelete júlqyp. Kiyaku ekinshi býiirine aunap týsedi. "Qashan keledi?" - deydi ishinen. - "Erten"... "Erten, erten"...

* * *

Tolyq ay meyramynyng qarsany qashan da qarbalas. Kýn kóterile taypa kósemi Ayrua baqsylar men kәri shaldardy jiyp alyp, bóreneler qoyylghan alanda kenes ótkizdi. Sa­yys, jarysqa dayyndalyp jýrgen jastardan basqa erkek atau­ly, tipti balalargha deyin, denelerin boyap, maska jasap, әielder nan pisirip, jemis shyrynynan susyn dayyndap, toy jabdyghyna kirisude. Anda-sanda lashyqtar ishinen sybyzghy ýni estiledi.

- Kiyaku! Kiyaku! Sariydi shaqyr. Tamaq ishsin.

Bir top balanyng ortasynda ýngli qúmmen oinap otyrghan Kiyaku ýn-týnsiz ornynan túryp, kishkene qoldaryn bayau sermep, jalghyz ayaq jolmen jaghalaugha qaray jýrdi. Aghasy Sary sonau aighay-shu shyghyp jatqan tústa, oiyn-sauyqtyng ishinde jýr. Qazir búlardan bólek, shetki, ýlken lashyqta boydaq erkektermen birge túrady. Ózine aittyrghan qyzdy mensinbey, basqa qyzgha ýilenem dep, búryn da birneshe ret baghyn synaghan. Biraq kórer kózge elden ýzdik shyghar eshtenesi joq, qarapayym, taldyrmash jigit angha, balyqqa barghanda eshbir erlik kórsete almaghansyn, taypa kósemi ýilenuge rúqsat bermey qoydy. Endi ertengi bәsekege týsip, taghy bir ret baghyn synamaqshy. Kiyaku qaz-qatar túryp, kezekpen nayza laqtyryp jatqan jigitterding qasyna keldi de, kelgen sharuasyn úmytyp ketip, biraz túrdy. "Aq shaghala" belgisimen boyanghan úzyn boyly jigit: "Saghan ne kerek?" - degende baryp, esine týsip:

- Aghamdy shaqyrshy, - dedi.

- Sari-i-i! - dep aighaylady úzyn jigit. Qauyrsyn qalpaq kiyip, beldigin qyzylmen boyaghan Sary nayzasyn kóterip, ontaylanghan kýii Kiyakuge búryldy.

- Ne?

- Tamaq ish.

Sary jýgire týsip, nayzasyn jiberip qaldy da, jerge qonghan qústay qolyn jayyp, jalghyz ayaghymen sekektey, nayza týskenshe qadala qarady. Sodan keyin jalt búrylyp, lashyq jaqqa jýgire jóneldi. "Shirkin, Sary ýilenuge rúqsat alsa" dep oilady jolay Kiyaku. Ýitkeni ol ýilense, әkesining de, sheshesining de quanatynyn, olar quansa, ózining de quanatynyn jaqsy biletin. Kiyaku lashyqqa kirgende sheshesi men Sary ertengi toydyng basy qylyp, otqa pisirgen balyqpen, nanmen tәtti susyn iship otyr eken.

- Balam, - dedi sheshesi Sariyge qarap. - Ózindi ózing qinamay, osy azabyndy qoysang qaytedi?..

Sary nannan eki-ýsh ret qauyp asady da, týiilip qalmas ýshin susynnan qylq etkizip bir jútty.

- Sary Tomueni jaqsy kóredi, - dedi. Sodan keyin susynnan taghy bir jútty.

- Saghan bәribir rúqsat etpeydi.

- Sary Tomueni jaqsy kóredi... - Sosyn úmytyp qalmayyn degendey taghy da "Sary Tomueni jaqsy kóredi" - dedi shyghyp bara jatyp.

Týs aua bes kýndik sapardan oralghan balyqshylardy qabyldau saltanaty boldy. Sybyzghy ýni kýsheyip, toydyng asynan dәm tatu ýshin erkekter dalagha shyqqanda, salt bo­yynsha olardy kórmeu ýshin әiel atauly biri qalmay lashyqtaryna endi. Erkekter asyqpay tamaqtaryn iship bolyp, maskalaryn bitirip, olardy kәde lashyghyna aparghannan keyin ghana әielder syrtqa shyqty. Osy kezde taypa kósemi Ayrua bastaghan top - kósemning әieli, bala-shaghasy, jaqyn-júraghattary sarnaghan sybyzghy ýnine әndete qosylyp, lashyqtardy ainalugha kiristi.

- ... Qasiyetti perishteler ruhy,

Bәrimizdi jelep-jebey gór.

Bәrimizdi, bәrimizdi, -

dep gýrildedi erler dauysy. "Jebey gó-ó-r", - dedi kósemning úl-qyzdary jinishke dauyspen tym-tyraqay qosylyp.

- Sybaghamyzgha bólgen

angha toly nuyng ýshin,

balyq toly suyng ýshin,

Myng da bir rahmet, jaratqan iyem!..

- Myng da bir rahmet, jaratqan iyem! - dep shulady júrttyng bәri.

U-shu bop, quanghan balalar jýgirip, kósem bastaghan topqa qosylyp ketti. Kiyaku qosylghan bette bireuining qolynan ústay alyp edi - kósemning kishi qyzy Kumba eken. Jymiyp Kiyakudyng sausaqtaryn aqyryn qysyp qoydy.

- Qasiyetti kýnning núry,

Júrtymyzgha pana bolghan,

Senen asqan qúdiretti eshkim joq...

- Eshkim joq! - dep әndetti Kumba Kiyakuge qarap. Sodan keyin kýlip jiberdi de, sheshesi men Kiyakudyng qolyn ústata salyp, ózi top ishine enip ketti.

- Angha toly nuyng ýshin,

Balyq toly suyng ýshin...

Myng da bir rahmet!..

Kósemning әieli әlden song qolynda kele jatqan qyzy emes, Kiyaku ekenin kórgende keremet tanqaldy.

- Qyzym qayda, jaratqan-au?!

- Myng da bir rahmet! - dep әndetti Kiyaku jauap retinde.

Sybyzghy ýnderi kóbeyip, kýsheyip ketti. Songhy lashyqty ainala bergende bireu Kiyakudyng qolynan ústay aldy. Qoly ózining qolynday kishkentay eken. Jalt qaraghanda kýlip túrghan Kumbany kórdi. Ekeui týk sebepsiz syqylyqtay kýlip, kәde lashyghyna jetkenshe qol ústasyp birge keldi.

- Kumba, - dedi Kiyaku.

- Kiyaku, - dedi Kumba. Sosyn Kiyakudyng jalbyraghan shashynan aqyryn ghana júlqyp qaldy.

Úzamay ymyrt jabylyp, әielder men balalar lashyqtaryna kirdi. Biraq әn men әuen toqtaghan joq, sybyzghy dausy ertengi naghyz úly merekening tayap qalghanyn sezdirgendey tynymsyz bezildey týsti.

Kiyaku aspaly tósegining ýstinde kózin júmyp, oilanyp jatyr. Úiyqtap qalmas ýshin anda-sanda kózin ashyp, qozghalyp qoya­dy. Býgin әkesi keluge tiyisti. Úzaq joldan qaytqanda qalay da to­lyq ay meyramyna iligushi edi. "Nege joq, nege?... Qayda jýr? Á? Álde bir jerde... " Kiyaku qabaghyn qatty tyrjityp, әri qaray oi­lamaugha tyrysty. Bar bәle oilaghannan deytin әkesi. Oilamasang týk te bolmaydy. Endeshe tek jaqsylyqqa joryp oilau kerek.

Jerdegi teri tósenish ýstinde jatqan sheshesi basyn kóterip, tayaqpen qolamtanyng shoqtaryn ashyp, lashyq ishine kýngirt jaryq týsirdi.

Bir saryndy sybyzghy әueni basylar emes. Anda-sanda birnesheui jappay qosylyp, yrghaqtaryn jiyiletip, qútyrta oinaydy. "Biylep jatyr" - deydi ishinen Kiyaku. Birazdan keyin qúlaghy ýirenip, sybyzghy dausyn sezbey ketti. "Qoly qalay júmsaq!... - dedi esine Kumba týsip. - Kózi qanday әdemi!.. Á! Ózi nege kýle beredi?.. Aty nege Kumba?... "

Sheshesi kóseudi jarqyraghan qolamta jiyegine jatqyzyp, jyljyp tósegine bardy. Qisayghan joq, basyn tizesine qo­yyp, mýlgip otyr.

"Qoly júmsaq... Nege kýledi?.. Kózi... nege?... "

Kiyaku úiyqtap ketetinin sezgen joq. Áldeqanday jaghymsyz estilgen sybyrdan oyandy.

Lashyq ishi qap-qaranghy. Sybyzghy ýni estilmeydi.

-... Nege jylaysyn?.. Jaqsylyq ruhy meni tastaghan joq. Aman qaldym... Ruh qashqan kýni bәrimiz de ólemiz...

Kiyaku әkesining dausyn tanyp, jýregi tulap qoya berdi. Quanghannan qysylyp, alaqandary terlep ketti. Sýitip jatyp sheshesining jylaghanyna tang qaldy. "Onysy nesi?! Nege jylap jatyr?".

- Myng da bir rahmet!... - dedi sheshesi túnshygha sybyrlap. - Myng da bir rahmet!

- Aqyryn, balany oyatarsyn... Eger osy jolda ólip qalsam, әkemning aruaghy o dýniyede jolyqqanda keshirmes edi...

Sheshesi ýndegen joq. Ákesi de til qatpady. Endi ne aitar eken dep tyndap jatyp, Kiyakudyng ózi de úiyqtap ketti.

Kiyaku tanerteng baraban men yshqynghan sybyzghy ýninen oyandy. Lashyqta ózinen basqa eshkim qalmapty. Dalagha jýgire shyqty da, esik aldynda qúrghaq japyraqtar toltyrghan toqyma qapshyq ýstinde otyrghan әkesin kórip, selk ete týsti. Denesinde sau tamtyq joq. Jaraqat. Bir qoly synghan sekildi, kendir jippen moynyna asyp alghan. Kenirdegin tilip ketken tyrnaq izi talauray qyzaryp, qandy oqighanyng jaqynda ghana bolghanyn bildirip túr.

Ákesi әreng búrylyp, Kiyakudy kórdi de, taqa dep isharat bildirdi. Biraq ýndegen joq, qasyna kelgen Kiyakudyng arqasynan qaghyp, bara ghoy degendey ym qaqty.

Búl kezde naghyz toy bastalyp ta ketken edi. Eliktin, qabylannyn, shoshqanyn, týrli qústardyng beynesinde maska kiyip alghan erkekter satyr-gýtir biyley jóneldi. Qym-qighash, ai­ghay-shu, әn, gýmpildegen barabandar, bezildegen sybyzghy ýni... Alangha әielder men balalar da jinaldy. Erkekter qyzynyp, "yaguar aulau" biyine kiristi. Qara terge týsip entigip, lashyq túsyna kelgende әielderden balyq pen susyn súraydy. Áyelder mәz bolyp kýlip jýrip, erkekterge balyq, susyn jәne toy nanyn әkep berude.

Kәde lashyghynyng qasyna barghannan keyin jappay by bas­taldy. Qyzyldy-jasyldy qauyrsyn qalpaqtary kózding jauyn alghan kósem bastaghan shaldar toby men kórshi taypadan kelgen qonaqtar alannyng ortasynda merekelik tamaqtardy aldaryna jayyp salyp, әngime-dýken qúruda. Eki jas jigit Kiyakudyng jaraly әkesin kóterip әkelip, kósemning qasyna otyrghyzdy. Kiyakudyng kónilin maqtanysh sezimi biyledi. Shyday almay, balalardyng bireuin týrtip qalyp:

- Kórding be, mening әkem jaraly! - dedi. Ekinshisine de, ýshinshisine de sony aitty.

- Kórding be, mening әkem jaraly! Kórding be?

Balalar qyzyghyp, bórene ýstinde otyrghan topqa qarady. "Shir­kin, qanday baqytty" dep oilady bәri de. Jaraqat - erlikting bel­gi­si. Jaraqaty kóp jauyngerding janyna eshkim batyp bara almay­dy. Ýitkeni ol - jýrekjútqan, әri tisqaqqy, ailaker. Ýitkeni ol ajaldyng týr-týsin betpe-bet kelip bir ret kórgen, ekinshi kóruden qoryqpaydy. Denesine jaraqat týspegen adam - búqpa, әlsiz, qorqaq. Ol shyn kýresti kórmegen, kórgisi de kelmegen.

Maqtanysh sezimi men toy qyzyghynan esi shygha quanghan Kiyaku biylep jýrip, kósem lashyghynyng aldyna qalay kelip qalghanyn bilmey qaldy. Kenet esik aldynda kýlip túrghan Kumbany kórdi de, odan sayyn elirip:

- Balyq ber, susyn ber. Ber maghan toydyng nanyn, - dedi aighaylap.

Ýlkendershe zirkildep, toy nanyn súrap túrghan kip-kishkentay balany kóruge lashyqtaghylar syrtqa shyqty. Ábden sharshaghan Kiyaku bir mezette ayaghy shalynyp, etpetinen qúlaghanda júrttyng bәri, tipti, biylep jýrgen erkekter de du kýldi. Kumba ishke kirip, bir balyq, jarty shelpek, úlu qabyghyna qúiylghan tәtti susyn әkep berdi.

Kýn enkeyip, aghash bastaryna, lashyq tóbesindegi sabangha qyzghylt sәulesin týsirdi. Baqsylar alangha ot jaghyp, temeki týtinin búrqyratyp, jyn-perilerdi qualap, zikir saldy. Kýn batysymen sybyzghy ýni kýsheyip, júrt ulap-shulap, ottyng qasyna jinaldy. Kókjiyekten kisi boyy kóterilgen tolyq ay alys oipattardan kóringen orman tóbesin, jazyq betkeydi bop-boz qylyp, әlginde ghana qymtap túrghan qoy qaranghylyqty әdemi aq týnge ainaldyryp jiberdi.

- Ýilenu kәdesi, - dep habarlady baqsy. Taghy da by bastaldy. Kósem bastaghan top shatyrlay janghan otty qorshay, qabylan terisinen jasalghan tósenish-bóstekterge kelip otyrdy. El kóbeyip, ainalagha syimay ketkendikten, birneshe jerden ot jaghyldy.

- Kanato! - dep shaqyrdy baqsy.

Orta yaguar tanbasymen boyanghan, búlshyq etteri bileulengen, sanynda, arqasynda tyrtyqtary bar, qauyrsyn qalpaqty, úzyn boyly, jas jigit shyqty.

- Kýnnen jaralghan adam balasyna júptasyp ómir keshu - búiryqty is, - dedi baqsy minajat qylghanday әndete dauystap. - Áygili qyzyl qabylannyng bel úrpaghy Kanato, sening qalaghan adamyng kim?

Kanato ottyng qarsy betindegi moynyna birónkey qyzyl týsti qauyrsynnan alqa taqqan, kýnge totyqqan, qan-kýreng júmyr denesi ot  sәulesimen jyltyrap kóringen әdemi qyzdy kórsetti.

- Endeshe kórset bizge jigit ekenindi.

Kanato jerde jatqan dәu toqyma qolghapty qolyna kie bas­taghanda-aq Kiyakudyng ishi qaltyrap qoya berdi. Ýitkeni ol qolghap ishindegi ýlkendigi barmaqtay uly qúmyrsqalardyng qalay shaghatynyn jaqsy biletin. Bir tistegenning ózinde... "Yby-by-by-y!". Kiyakudyng tisteri saqyldap, titirkenip ketti.

Baqsy qolghapty týbinen birneshe ainaldyra myqtap baylaghannan keyin:

- Otqa taqa, - dedi jigitti qolynan tartyp.

Kanato qolghap kiygen qolyn otqa taqady. Sodan keyin sýigen qyzyna tura qarap: - Men... - dey berdi de, kilt toqtady.

"Shaqty, shaqty" - dep sybyrlasty otyrghandar. Biraq jigit syr bergen joq. Qyzgha qarap, appaq tisterin kórsetip, kýlip qoydy.

- Men, - dedi sózin jalghap, - on ýsh jasymnan angha shyqtym. Bes yaguardy óltirdim. Tikandarmen soghysta arqamnan oq tiydi. Biraq men qúlagham joq, jauyrynymnan qadalghan sadaq oghyn júlyp alyp, atqan adamdy sayysqa shaqyrdym. Ol qorqyp, shygha almady... - Kanato júrttyng bәrin tang qaldyryp, taghy da jymidy. - Men jylan taypasynyng eng ataqty batyry - Sikuriydi jenip shyqtym... Úrys kezinde bir de bir ret qorqaqtyq jasap kórgen emespin. Men Tamaly qyzdy jaqsy kóremin. Sondyqtan ýilenuge rúqsat etinizder!

Júrttyng bәri jas jigitting tózimdiligine, aitqan әngimesine qatty riza boldy. Baqsy qolghapty sheship aldy da, balanyng basynday bolyp isip ketken Kanatonyng qolyn kórsetti.

- Kanato! Kanato! - dep shulady halyq bir auyzdan.

Baqsy Tamaly men Kanatony qatar túrghyzyp, bir ydystan balyq jegizdi. Sodan keyin ýilenu toyyn jasaugha rúqsat berdi.

Ortagha Sary shyqqanda toy bastalghannan-aq qorqyp jýrgen Kiyaku jýrek toqtatyp, boyyn erkin biylegen. Jәne osynysyn ózi jaqsylyqqa jorydy. Sary qolghap kiyisimen baqsynyng búiryghyn kýtpesten otqa qolyn ózi taqap ústady.

- Men ne aitamyn sizderge... Mening elden asqan erligim joq... - Sariyding betine qan qúiylyp, kýre tamyrlary adyrayyp ketti. Moyyn etteri jybyrlap, samayynan ter bilindi.

- Men ne aitamyn sizderge, - dedi Sary alghashqy sózin qaytalap. - Men batyr emespin. Men yaguar óltirgen ataqty anshy da emespin. Sayysta da jenbedim. Men әsheyin el qatarly balyqshymyn. Biraq Tomueni janymday jaqsy kóremin... - Sariyding dausy qaltyrap ketti. - Maghan... rúqsat etinizder... Men tek osy qyzgha ýilenem... Men tek...

Sariyding dausy jalynyshty shyqqany sonsha, ilkide júrt qalay dep qabyldaryn bilmey, antarylyp qaldy. Sodan keyin toptyng art jaghynda otyrghan bireu myrs ete týsti. Ekinshisi de myrs etti. Sodan keyin әldekim lekite kýlip jiberdi de, ile júrttyng bәri aranyng úyasynday gu ete qaldy.

Baqsy da selkildey kýlip, Sariyding qolghabyn sheshuge kiristi. Sary taghy da jalynyshty ýnmen birdene dep edi, baqsy onan sayyn kýlip, basyn shayqady.

Taghy da by bastaldy. Biraq Kiyaku biylegisi kelmedi. Baqsynyng Sariyge rúqsat bermegeni oghan kórineu kózge jasaghan zorlyq sekildi. Ol kýlgen adamdardyng bәrine renjidi. Tipti jylaghysy keldi. Sosyn ornynan atyp túryp, lashyq jaqqa jýgire jóneldi. Ishke kirgen boyda tósegine qúlay ketti. Kiyaku kýndizgi biyden әbden sharshaghan bolatyn. Sondyqta baqsygha da, Sariydi keleke qylyp, kýlgen adamdargha da ókpelep jatyp, úiyqtap ketti.

Týsinde ýilenu kәdesi qayta bastalypty. Júrt ulap-shulap, Sa­riyge taghy da qolghap kiygizip jatyr. Kiygizip jatyp baqsy: "Kiyseng boldy, eshtene demeseng de rúqsat etemiz", - dep sybyrlap jat­qangha úqsaydy. Osy kezde júrt ottyng basynan túra qashady. Qol­ghap ishindegi qúmyrsqalar Sariydi shaghyp óltiripti. Sheshesi sha­shyn jayyp, ottyng basynda jylap jatyr. Endi birde qaptaghan qúmyrs­qalar býkil eldi quyp jýr eken. Kenet Kumbany talap jat­qan qúmyrsqalardy kóredi. Jýgirip kelip, qolyn úsynady. Qúmyrsqalar Kumbany tastay salyp, onyng qolyna jabylady. Talap jatyr. Qoly auyrmaytyn sekildi. Tek dombyghyp, múz­dap, ýlkeyip barady. Kumbagha qarap, kýlip qoyady. "Eshtene joq, kýluge bolady eken ghoy" dep oilaydy ishinen. "Joq, bolmaydy, saghan bolmaydy" deydi baqsy búghan jýgirip kelip. "Nege bolmaydy?" deydi Kiyaku kemsendep. Kiyaku kemsendep jatyp oyanyp ketti. Ot sәulesi lashyq ishin jap-jaryq qylyp jibergen. Ákesi temeki týtinin búrqyratyp shóp qaynatyp otyr. Sheshesi ydystaghy dәrilerdi auystyryp qúiyp jatyr. Kiyaku aunap týsti. Qoly astyna týsip, úiyp qalypty. Dyzyldap, qan jýgire bastady.

- Sary әljuaz ghoy, - deydi sheshesi. - Kishkentayynan auru boldy. Tegi eshqashan da ýilene almas.

- Bizding túqymda ýilenbey ketken eshkim joq, - deydi әkesi qatulanyp. - Bizding túqym ajalynan ólmeydi, kek jolynda jaudan óledi. Jau qolynan ólmegen erkek erkek emes!..

- U-u-u! U-u-u!!! - Ózenning arghy betinen shyqqan dauysty keshki tymyq aua qaqpaqyldap, mazaq qylghanday birneshe ret qaytalady.

- U-u-u!!! U-u-u!!!

Bórene ýstinde otyrghan shaldar da, kýndelikti  kýsh synasugha dayyndalyp, biylep jýrgen paluandar da antarylyp túryp qaldy. Sadaq asynghan ýsh jigit jyldam qayyqqa otyryp, arghy betke jýze jóneldi. Kóp úzamay olar qaytyp oraldy.

- Vaura taypasynyng adamdary qonaqqa keledi, - dedi kósemge kelip. - Jandarynda aq adam bar.

Kósem lashyghyna kirip, qauyrsyn qalpaghyn kiyip, asyl tas­ty monshaqtaryn, qaru-jaraghyn asynyp, qayta shyqty. Sodan keyin jiyn ótetin alandaghy, kósemge arnalghan biyik oryngha otyrdy.

Kóp úzamay qonaqtar da keldi.

Búl Kiyakudyng aq adamdy ómirinde birinshi ret kórui  edi. Kýnning ystyghyna qaramastan túla boyyn orap qaptap alghan, kózining aldyna tanghajayyp jyltyr birdene kiygen (Kiyaku onyng kózildirik ekenin keyin bildi) aq adam jaydary jýzben qaruy joq, qúr qolyn joghary kóterip, dostyq, beybit niyet bildirdi.

- Atyng kim? - dedi oghan kósem.

- Paulo, - dedi aq adam.

- Týsinedi eken ghoy, - dedi kósem vaura taypasynyng adamdaryna qarap. - Búl araku tilin qaydan biledi?

- Meyirban aq adam kópten bizben birge ang aulaydy. Nau­kua, trumai, mainaku taypalarynda da bolghan.

- Ákeng bar ma? - Kósem aq adamgha qayta búryldy.

- Joq, - dedi aq adam vaura tilinde.

- Aty kim?

- Rikardo.

- Shesheng bar ma?

- Bar.

- Qay taypadansyn?

Aq adam ózining qay taypadan ekenin úmytyp qalghanday sau­saqtaryn jybyrlatyp, oilanyp qaldy.

- Qay taypadan deysiz be? - dep qayta súrady. - Men eshqanday taypadan emespin.

Onyng múnysy óte ersi jauap bolghandyqtan, kósem tanyr­qap, manayyna ajyraya qarady. Júrttyng bәri de bir-birine ajyrayysyp, tan-tamasha keyip bildirdi.

- Men... Men... - dedi abyrjyghan aq adam. - Ghafu ótinem, dúrys aitpadym... Men ispan taypasynanmyn.

- Ispan?!..

- IYә, iyә, Ispaniya!

Kósem onday da taypa bar ma edi degendey súrauly pishinmen taghy da manayyna kóz tastady. Olardyng jýzderinen de "onday taypa bar ma edi?" degen kýmәndi keyip bilindi.

- Qay jerdi mekendeysinder? - dedi kósem.

- Ispaniya ma? Ispaniya búl jerden qashyq, - dedi aq adam qo­lymen kýnshyghys jaqty siltep, - Atlant múhitynyng ar jaghyn­da.

- Atlant?! Ol qanday teniz?

Kósem úzaq súrady. Biraq eshkim eshtenege týsingen joq. "Ispan" degen ne qylghan taypa? Ol qay jaqta? Nege eshkim bilmeydi? Qadalyp súraghan sayyn jer, su attary tym bógde, jattanyp, qonaqtyng bir sózinen bir sózi qiynday berdi. Aqyry súraq toqtalyp, ot basynda otyrghandar qonaqpen sәlemdesuge kezekke túrdy. "Paulo" dep, bәri de qonaqtyng atyn atady. Aq adam qolyn keudesine aparyp, jyly jýzben iyilip, taghzym etti.

Kelesi kýni birneshe jigit aghash kesip, japyraq jinap, aq adamgha lashyq túrghyzdy. Syrttan sadaq asynghan birneshe jauynger kýzetke qoyyldy. "Aq adamgha eshqashan da senuge bolmaydy, - dedi eng kәri shal Yanumaka. - Aq adamda jyn-perining ruhy bar. Sondyqtan oghan eshqashan da senuge bolmaydy".

Biraq aq adam óte meyirban, aqkónil, jomart jan bolyp shyqty. Erkekterge qaghazgha oralghan temeki, balyq aulaytyn qarmaq, әielderge shyny monshaq, boyauly júqa mata, balalargha tәtti ýlestirdi. Al kósemge myltyghyn syilady.

Paulo az kýnning ishinde taypa tirshiligine etene aralasyp, sinisip ketti. Júrtpen birdey erte túryp, ózennen su әkeledi, kiyimderin juady, balyqshylar әkelgen oljadan ýles alyp, tamaq pisiredi. Keyin balyqshylarmen birge balyqqa da bardy. Tipti kiyimderin sheship, arakulargha úsap jalanash jýretin boldy.

Paulony qany sýimegen jalghyz adam Yanumaka shal. Yanumaka Paulonyng syigha úsynghan temekisin de almady. Manyna da jolatpady. Paulonyng opa bermeytini turaly týs kóripti.

- Kesiri tiyedi, - dep keyidi ol lashyghynda otyryp. - Aq adamnan perishte qashady... Perishte qashsa, baq ta qashady. Áruaqtar da jelep-jebemeydi.

Yanumakanyng aituynsha, óte ertede araku taypasy kýngey bettegi altyn ózenning qojasy bolypty-mys. Ózenning jaghalauy da, suy da sap-sary altyn eken. Aua da jyn-saytandar ruhynan ada, ólim-jitimdi bilmeytin, beybit el bolypty. Biraq kýnderding kýninde boy-basyn qaptap alghan, jýzi adam shoshyghanday súp-súr, qanghybas jannyng kesiri tiyedi. Súp-súr bәle kýngey betting bәrin kezip, tynystaytyn auany aramdaghan son, saytandar elinen ot shashatyn әsker jinap, qalyng eldi qyryp salghan. Sodan araku eli shegine-shegine ózenning bergi betine ótip, qalyng ormandy panalap qalypty. Endi taghy da aq adamnyng osy ólkeden balyq jep, su ishui jaqsy yrym emes...

- U-u-u!!! U-u-u-u!!! - Taghy da keshki auagha janghyryghyp qayta­langhan qiqu shyqty. Arghy betten dәl sonday jauap qiqu estildi. Kóp úzamay aghysty ózenning órinen vauranyng qayyghy kórindi de, aq adamdy birjola shygharyp salu ýshin, eki jigit qayyqqa otyrdy.

- Qosh bolyndar, dostarym! - dep aiqaylady Paulo arakulargha. Sosyn ótken jolghyday jayranday kýlip, dostyq niyetpen qolyn kókke kóterdi.

* * *

Kiyaku búdan keyin aq adamdy ekinshi ret kórdi. Bet-auzyn jýn qaptap ketken, taqyr bas, juan kisi birneshe serikterimen kelip, dostasu belgisi retinde kóp adamgha balyqqa qúratyn au, kip-kishkentay, ashyp, jabylatyn pyshaq ýlestirdi. Kósemning әieline iyissu syilady. Jiyn alanynda otyryp, taypa basshylarymen әngimelesti. Qaytarynda uaqytsha jolbasshylyq qyzmetke balyqshy shal Tukamony ózderimen birge ala ketti. Keyin olar jii keletin boldy. Ún, túz, qant, sabyn әkelip, annyng terisine, monshaq tastargha aiyrbastady.

Olardyng әkelgen zattary shynynda da kisi tanqalghanday, óte әdemi bolatyn. Sondyqtan aq adamdardyng qayyqtary kórinisimen erkekter de, әielder de qolda bar búiymdaryn kóterip, u-shu bolyp, jaghalaugha jinalatyn.

Jaghalaugha barmaytyn tek Yanumaka. Yanumaka - óte qorqaq shal. Sondyqtan aq adamdar kele jatyr degen habardy estisimen lashyq syrtyndaghy qalyng aghashqa kirip, tyghylyp qalady nemese lashyghynyng esigin bekitip, shyqpay qoyady.

Yanumaka jas kýninde óte qayratty, ailaker anshy bolghan desedi. Búl kýnde әbden qartayghan. Kýn sayyn keshkilik eresek balalardy alangha jinap alyp, araku tarihyndaghy úly kósemder turaly, taypalar arasyndaghy qyrghyn soghys­tar turaly anyz-әngimeler, ertegiler aitqannan basqa qolynan keleri joq. Ertegi tyndaugha Kiyaku qatarlas kishkentay balalargha deyin jinalady. Kiyaku shaldyng әngimesin jan-tәnimen berilip tyndaytyn. Aldynda otyrghan Kumbanyng iyghyna iyegin sýiep qoyyp, kózi jypylyqtap, әr sózin qalt jibermeuge tyrysady. Kumba әldenege jalt búrylghanda ekeui múryndarymen sýzisip qalady da, búlary ózderine eng bir qyzyq oqigha bolyp kórinip, ýn shygharmay, bulyghyp, úzaq kýledi. Kósemning erke qyzy shyday almay, dauystap kýlip jibergende býkil balalar, tipti qúlaghy shala estiytin Yanumakanyng ózi búlargha tanyrqay qaraydy da, sodan keyin ghana ekeui tynyshtalyp, qaytadan ertek tyndaugha kóshedi.

- Ertede, - deydi Yanumaka tamaq shaynaghanday iyegin qisandatyp, - elik pen adam dos bolypty. Elik adamdardyng izgi niyetti, meyirban ekenin bilgen son, qashpay, olardyng manayynda jýrgen. Olar elikke jem berip, su berip, asyraydy eken. Osylaysha әlgi elik ózge elikterden oqshau, baqytty túrmys keshipti. Biraq kýnderding kýninde qalyng orman ishinde adasyp, qarny ashqan bir adam әlgi elikti soyyp jemek bolyp, sadaqpen atady. Qatty jaralanghan elik, әiteuir, qolgha týspey, qashyp shyqqan. "Búl qalay boldy, - dep oilapty elik, - adamdar izgi tilekti, meyirban edi ghoy. Olar óltiruge tiyisti emes edi ghoy. Búl qalay?" Sonda perishteler ayan berip: "Ey, sorly elik, sen aghattyq jasap, adam balasymen dos boldyn. Olardyng izgi tilekti, meyirban ekeni ras, biraq sening jaryq dýniyemen qosh aitysuyng ýshin jýz meyirban adamnyng ishinen bir zúlymy bolsa, sol jetip jatyr emes pe?!" - degen eken. Elik óz ýiirine jetip baryp jan tapsyrypty. Óler aldynda: "Adamdardy mandaryna jolatpandar. Ýitkeni olardyng ishinde bir qanisher jýr", - dep ósiyet qaldyrypty.

Yanumaka ózimen ózi bolyp, oilanyp otyrady da, ertegini nege aitqanyn týsindiru ýshin qorytyndy jasaydy. - Bizder sol elik sekildi aq adamdarmen dos boldyq. Al olardyng ishindegi bir zúlym bizding týbimizge jetui mýmkin.

Keyde Yanumaka balalardy topyrlatyp, qalyng aghash arasyndaghy úshar basyna jalghyz banan ósken, biyik tóbege әkeletin. Tóbeden kóz jeter jerding bәri aiqyn kórinedi. Tayaghyna sýienip, әreng kóterilgen Yanumaka qúmgha qisayyp, demin alady.

- Búl, - deydi entigip otyryp, - búryn qarauyl tóbe bol­ghan. Anau jasyl taudy kórdinder me? Sonyng eteginde qasiyetti kól bar. Bes kýndik jer. Sol kólding jaghasynda óte ertede Kýn atty adam túrypty. Qazir kýn qúdiretti kýshke ainal­ghan. Biraq adam bolyp túrghan kezdegi sol orynda araku ýshin qasiyetti bir zat bar. Ol - ang men balyqtyng jany. Su tartylyp, augha balyq  týspegen kezderde, elik basqa jaqqa auyp, jer eskirgen kezde araku taypasy shapaghat tilep, sonda barady...

Búdan keyin Yanumaka ormandaghy ruhtar, o dýniyedegi ómir turaly әngimege kóshedi. Kesh týsip, ymyrt jabylady. Orman alqaby qarauytyp, kenet jogharghy jaqtaghy aq adamdardyng meken-túraghy túsynan qaz-qatar jyltyraghan ghajayyp ottar kórinedi. Olar janghan otqa úqsamaytyn, júldyzdar sekildi jymyng qaqqan, erekshe bir sәuleli, siqyr ottar edi.

- Tozaq ottary!.. - deydi Yanumaka kýbirlep, - Tozaq ottary jymyndaydy... Kórip túrsyndar ma?.. Tozaqtyng oty!!! A-a-a!!!

Yanumaka kózderi baqyrayyp, qyryldaghan qorqynyshty ýnmen: "Áne, әne, әne!!!" dep qolyn shoshaytyp, sýrine-mýrine túra qashady. Zәreleri úshqan balalar da tym-tyraqay jýgirip, lashyqtaryna jetkende bir-aq toqtaydy.

Yanumaka shal sol ýreyden aqyry aryla almady. "Azanyng aqyry" meyramynan keyin, kóp úzamay jyndanyp óldi. Jan tapsyrar aldynda: "Tozaq ottary jymyndaydy", - dep sandyraqtapty.

(Jalghasy bar)

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