Mankind perished by the flood, and there was only one who survived,
and this was Kranyatz. Kranyatz fled higher and higher, till the
water flooded the last mountain. The poor wretch saw how the pines
and shrubs were covered; one vine, and one only, was still dry. To
it he fled, and quickly seized hold of it, not from necessity, but
from excessive terror; but how could it help him, being so slender
and weak? Kurent observed this, for the vine was his stick, when he
walked through the wide world. It was agreeable to him that man
should be thought to seek help from him. It is true that Kurent was
a great joker; but he was also of a kindly nature, and was always
glad to deliver anyone from distress. Hearing Kranyatz lamenting, he
straightened the vine, his stick, and lengthened it more and more,
till it became higher than the clouds. After nine years the flood
ceased, and the earth became dry again. But Kranyatz preserved
himself by hanging on the vine, and nourishing himself by its grapes
and wine. When all became dry, he got down, and thanked Kurent as
his preserver. But this didn't please Kurent. 'It was the vine that
rescued you,' said he to Kranyatz; 'thank the vine, and make a
covenant with it, and bind yourself and your posterity, under a
curse, that you will always speak its praises and love its wine more
than any other food and drink.' Very willingly did the grateful
Kranyatz make the engagement for both himself and his posterity, and
to this day his descendants still keep faith, according to his
promise, loving wine above all things, and joyfully commemorating
Kurent, their ancient benefactor.