Long ago by the swift-flowing River Amur lived Mergen, a bold hunter. Though he would never slay more than met his needs, his table never lacked for food.
One day, deep in the forest, he found a deer stuck in a swamp. As he aimed his arrow, the deer spoke: "Spare me, Mergen, please pull me out." Mergen helped it, and the grateful deer promised aid if ever called.
Later, he freed an ant trapped under a branch. The ant also pledged its help.
By the river, he saved a stranded sturgeon. The great fish, too, vowed to come when summoned.
Continuing his journey, Mergen came upon an unfamiliar camp. An old man greeted him and showed him his beautiful daughter. Mergen wished to marry her. The old man agreed, but only if Mergen could complete three impossible tasks, or else become his slave.
The first task was to wear out a pair of iron boots in one night. Mergen called the deer, who wore them out by dashing across the hills.
The second task was to gather five scattered sacks of millet in one day. Mergen called the ant, who summoned its tribe to collect every single grain.
The final task was to find a golden ring lost in the river long ago. Mergen called the sturgeon, who gathered all the river creatures and found the ring.
Astonished, the old man kept his word. Mergen married the maiden and declared that all should live as brothers in peace. From that day on, the Nanai tribes lived in harmony along the Amur.