The satirical fairy tale by Fazil Iskander "Rabbits and Boa Constrictors" (1973) was published only 13 years after its creation, when the "rabbits" became a little bolder, and the "boa constrictors" slightly loosened their grip. However, to see in a profound philosophical parable only the malice of the day would be too superficial and frivolous. In conditions of political unfreedom, hypocrisy and double morality, hunters and victims form bizarre and ugly communities from which it is not easy to escape. And this path is very long and thorny, several decades may not be enough for it.… As always, Iskander is wise and aphoristic. "Your hypnosis is our fear. Our fear is your hypnosis." "Cruelty is the bravery of cowards." "Those who have lost the ideal begin to idealize victory. Remember: where there is a lot of talk about victories, either they have forgotten the truth or they are hiding from it." And finally, again and again relevant: "They swallow us, but we sing!"