English Original
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.
中文翻译
很久以前，在湍急的黑龙江畔住着一位勇敢的猎人，名叫莫尔根。他从不滥杀，但餐食从不匮乏。
一天，在森林深处，他发现一头鹿陷在沼泽里。正当他拉弓瞄准时，鹿开口说话了：“饶了我，莫尔根，请把我拉出来。”莫尔根救了它，感激的鹿承诺，只要呼唤它就会来帮忙。
后来，他救了一只被树枝压住的蚂蚁。蚂蚁也承诺会提供帮助。
在河边，他救了一条搁浅的鲟鱼。这条大鱼同样发誓，只要召唤就会前来。
莫尔根继续前行，来到一个陌生的营地。一位老人接待了他，并向他展示了自己美丽的女儿。莫尔根想娶她为妻。老人同意了，但条件是莫尔根必须完成三个不可能的任务，否则就要成为他的奴隶。
第一个任务是在一夜之间穿破一双铁靴。莫尔根呼唤了鹿，鹿穿上靴子在山间飞奔，将靴子磨破了。
第二个任务是在一天之内捡回五袋撒得到处都是的小米。莫尔根呼唤了蚂蚁，蚂蚁召集了整个蚁群，捡回了每一粒米。
最后一个任务是找到很久以前掉入河中的一枚金戒指。莫尔根呼唤了鲟鱼，鲟鱼召集了河中所有的生物，找到了戒指。
老人惊讶不已，信守了诺言。莫尔根娶了少女，并宣布所有人都应如兄弟般和平相处。从那以后，赫哲族部落就在黑龙江畔和睦地生活着。