Skazka - Zmeya I rybak - a bull's hide

[Hugh McLean]

It seems perfect to me, except the word "all" has been omitted before 
the land sowed. I first had doubts about whether 'slaughter' was of the 
right stylistic register, thinking that perhaps zarezhet was more 
anthropomorphic, like 'slit my throat', but some dictionary exploration 
convinced me that zarezat' is exactly the word for what human beings do 
to animals.
> Dear all,
>
> This is from a Cossack skazka about ingratitude.
>
> Have I translated the last words correctly?
>
>  --Злом платят за добро люди. Я своему хозяину землю пашу, и всю посею, и
> воды
> навожу. Время придет -- хозяин зарежет меня, мясо сварит, шкуру снимет,
> расстелет и по мне ходить будет.
>
> The bull replied, ‘People repay good with evil.  I plough my master’s land
> for him, I sow it and I fetch water for him.  But when the time comes, my
> master will slaughter me, cook my meat, take off my hide, spread it out on
> the ground and walk on me.’
>
> This give the impression that the bull’s hide will be used to cover a floor,
> which I find a little surprising.
>
> Am just wondering whether it really means that his hide will be stretched
> and made into shoe leather.
>
> All the best,
>
> Robert
>
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