The Giant Named Menesk - Legend of Minsk, Belarus

In the country of Belarus and its rolling hills on a slope stands its capital of Minsk. The Svislach River meanders across the city. Its calm water brushes the banks of the waterway. Sometimes the wind rushes the water, which whispers remind the locals of a giant, who once lived on the banks of the river and it is said that he was the founder of the city.

A very long time ago, in the area of rolling hills and meandering rivers lived a man named Menesk. He was a very big and strong man. He was so strong and so big that some people thought he was a giant. He lived in a mill by the river. It was said that he grinded stones and rocks instead of rye to make flour for bread. He felt that he was misunderstood by people. So he traveled in search of a new place many times until he found this place.

Menesk settled at the banks of Svislach River among pine and spruce trees, which created a perfect quiet place he longed for. He loved sitting by the river, watching the ducks pass him by, feeling the breeze brush his face and listening to the chirping birds above his head. He could sit by the river for hours, appreciating his peaceful place.

The nights were even more serene. The sound of the leaves swaying on the trees and the water flowing in the river lulled him quickly into sleep every evening.  However, it didn’t take long till his peaceful nights were disturbed by bashes. Loud voices, singing and laughing coming from the river would break his soundless sleep one night, then another. On the third night he grinded his teeth and said to himself, “I’ll give you a piece of myself at the break of the dawn.”

With the first sun rays on the horizon, Menesk wandered to the nearby villages looking for those who dared to wake him up at night. He knocked on many doors and windows until they vibrated with rusty noise. He hollered at anybody who appeared from around the corner, scaring the innocent souls. Those unlucky ones, who stumbled upon him, ran in the opposite direction as soon as they saw his huge hunched body covered in tattered clothes, unruly hair and crooked nose. He went from village to village, but nobody would come forward to face a giant.

Those, who were scared to face the giant during the day, were not so afraid to continue their bashes on the river during the night. After more unslept nights, Menesk thought to himself, “Maybe I need to try a different tactic. Maybe I should invite them in instead of trying to scare them away.” So one night, he lit the place with many candles, made lots of sweet bread and waited by the river hidden in the bushes.

When the party on the river approached Menesk’s house, they were surprised to see the place so bright. As the river currents slowly moved them closer and closer to his house, there was no turning back. “Welcome, welcome,” said Menesk coming out of the bushes, when they neared him. The boys and girls drifting on the river, by the tone of Menesk’s voice were not sure if he was trying to be nice or mean. Their lips went from arching up to now arching down making their faces looked like they were very scared. The giant sensing the problem added, “Why don’t you stop by and we could continue the celebrities together. The sweet bread is already awaiting you.” The companions hesitated a bit, there was still time to think before they passed the giant and before it was too late to stop by his house as the river doesn’t stop for anybody to make a decision, but when the smell of freshly baked bread reached their noses, it convinced them to stop. Still with some hesitation, they stepped out of the boat following Menesk to the house.

The music, singing and laughter echoed in the woods and it didn’t stop until the mugs and plates were empty. And only then everybody decided it was time to go home and thank the host for such memorable night.

In the morning, only the crumbs reminded Menesk of the last night party. All bread was gone. The giant never enjoyed such company before. As much as he appreciated his quiet place during the day, now he also relished his company at night. More nights followed in the company of his new friends.

Months passed and seasons changed. During that time Menesk and his new companions became close friends. He always fed them well with the bread he made himself. And they always provided good entertainment, complementing each other.

One spring, when the first leaves appeared on the trees after a long, cold winter, the giant invited his friends to settle near his house. The invitation was accepted and as soon as the last frost was gone, the first houses started appearing near the giant’s house. The moment the houses were finished, one of the companions spoke out, “Menesk, now that we are settled here, it just occurred to me that we never asked you how you named your place?”

Menesk’s eyes bulged out. A big guy seemed to be shrinking in size now, with blushing cheeks and shy smile his lips were tight as not wanting to escape a word. “I never thought about it,” the giant admitted reluctantly after what seemed like a long awkward moment.

“No worries,” Rushed another friend to the rescue suggesting, “How about naming the settlement after our good friend, who invited us here?”

“Yeah!” Cheered the rest.

“How about naming the settlement Minsk?” Continued the friend.

“Yeah!” Another cheer. So it was decided right there and then that their new place would be called Minsk.

With time the new settlement composed of the circle of friends became known as a safe one, attracting new people. With more time, it grew into a village, then into a small town and now into a big city.