The waterman

There is a beautiful lake somewhere in the Russian woods, where the water is clean and clear, and the rocks can be seen beneath the surface, set against a turquoise background. The place is incredible, and people come for picnics and bike rides to get some fresh air and escape the city.

That day, the noisy crowd of campers flooded into the forest clearing by the lake: laughing, shouting, tossing trash and blasting music. The air was thick with smoke and the scent of grilled meat. When the sun went down, they started packing up. They loaded their bags into the cars and were just about to leave when an old man in a red shirt and a straw hat appeared out of nowhere. He examined the clearing, shook his head and looked said:

’’This lake is not yours to disturb.

Go and clean up your mess! ‘’– he growled.

But instead of fear, a few of them chuckled. One of them muttered,- “Crazy old fool!”

The old man shook with rage:

“You were warned!”

The lake began to churn violently, as it was boiling from the depths. The surface split, and an enormous catfish rose from the water — towering, monstrous, its scales black as night and eyes glowing like twin lanterns.

The mocking laughter vanished. The campers screamed and ran in every direction. The old man transformed: his green hair wild, beard tangled, pop eyes bulging, a fishtail trailing behind him, crow’s feet wrinkling his face. He was still wearing the red shirt and the straw hat. He climbed onto the giant catfish’s back and raised one hand.

‘’Let this be your lesson!’’ he thundered.

With a single gesture, the lake surged forward and swallowed tents, fires, cars and voices. The campsite was gone. No people. No bags. No tent. The lake was calm and peaceful again. Just fifteen stumps remained in the clearing, arranged in a perfect circle-weathered, as if they’d stood for years.

No footprint led in or out.

Locals say the lake took them. The waterman does not like to be mocked. He is a water spirit living in the waters of Russia. They call him Vodyanoy or Water Grandfather.

No one sees those fifteen guys anymore.