Day 88: Catching a Swarm on the Birch
At a dacha near Ryazan in June, a city man who has bought the next plot and two hives runs to Stepan Ilyich, an old beekeeper, for help.
How to study this lesson 3 steps
- Read the situation under the title.
- Read the dialogue and its translation. The audio for this lesson is coming soon.
- Spend at least 30 minutes listening to native Russian audio, for example from the Resources page. It doesn't matter if you don't understand it yet.
Dialogue
Audio for this lesson is coming soon. For now, read the dialogue and its translation.
Keys: E hide English · ← → previous / next day
-
A
Ты чего, сосед, ко мне на пасеку бегом, будто за тобой медведь гонится?
What's up, neighbour, running to my apiary like there's a bear after you?
-
B
Степан Ильич, беда! Мои пчёлы вылетели из улья тучей и повисли на берёзе огромным клубом. Они что, от меня уходят?
Stepan Ilyich, disaster! My bees came pouring out of the hive and they're hanging on the birch in a huge clump. Are they leaving me?
-
A
Да не от тебя, это рой. Тесно им у тебя стало, вот старая матка с половиной семьи и отправилась искать новый дом.
It's not about you, it's a swarm. They got too crowded at your place, so the old queen set off with half the colony to look for a new home.
-
B
И что теперь делать? Я в интернете читал, что надо греметь кастрюлями, тогда они сядут.
So what do I do now? I read on the internet that you should bang pots and pans, and then they'll settle.
-
A
В интернете, в интернете... Кастрюли оставь для борща, а мне принеси роевню, ящик такой в сарае, и дымарь не забудь.
On the internet, on the internet... Save the pots for borscht, and bring me the swarm box, the crate in my shed, and don't forget the smoker.
-
B
Бегу! А они не покусают? После вчерашнего у меня до сих пор глаз как слива.
On my way! But won't they bite? After yesterday my eye still looks like a plum.
-
A
Пчёлы не кусают, а жалят, городской ты человек. А роевые, наевшись мёду в дорогу, смирные, как телята, им не до тебя.
Bees don't bite, they sting, you city boy. And swarming bees, having filled up on honey for the road, are as gentle as calves, they've got no time for you.
-
B
Хорошо. Лестницу поставил, роевню держу. Дальше что, Степан Ильич, просто трясти?
Right. Ladder's up, I'm holding the box. What next, Stepan Ilyich, just shake it?
-
A
Подставь роевню под самую гроздь и резко, одним движением, стукни по ветке. Стряхнёшь, сразу накрывай, не зевай.
Hold the box right under the cluster and knock the branch sharply, in one go. Once they drop in, cover it at once, don't dawdle.
-
B
Есть! Почти все внутри, только несколько десятков кружат вокруг, будто совещаются.
Got them! Almost all inside, just a few dozen circling around, as if they're holding a meeting.
-
A
Раз матка в ящике, остальные сами подтянутся. Видишь, у летка встали и крылышками машут? Это они своим сигнал подают: сюда, мы дома.
If the queen's in the box, the rest will come by themselves. See them standing at the entrance fanning their wings? That's them signalling to the others: this way, we're home.
-
B
Удивительно: никакого начальства, а всё работает. Надо нашему тимлиду показать, пусть поучится у пчёл.
Amazing: no bosses, and everything works. I should show our team lead, let him learn a thing or two from the bees.
Your progress is saved in this browser only, with no sign-up. The course page and the menu show where you left off. Well done! Next up: Day 89: The Guest Who Stayed Three Weeks
If this free course has helped you in your Russian journey, please consider supporting the project. It's a one-person effort, and even small contributions help keep it running and free for everyone.