The border run
Once upon a time, the Urner were feuding with ther neighbours, the Glarner, ober the border separating their lands. Every day they would get into skirmishes and hurl insults at one another. Finally, they agreed on a way to settle their dispute: Early in the morning of the equinox, as soon as the cockerel began to crow, a hardy and knowledgeable runner from each side would be sent out in the direction of the Klausenpass. The point where the two walkers meet, would mark the boundary between the two lands.
The athletes were selectet with great care. Likewise, great pains were taken to choose a cockerel who could be relied upon to announce the coming of the morning the very second it arrived. The Uner folk gave their cockerel as little sustenance al possible, believing that hunger an thirst would wake him earlier. They also made sure to separate him from his hens, lest they rob him of his sleep. Conversely, the Glarner chose the fattest cockerel and let him eat his fill an more, to give him the strength to crow with all his might.
As the day of the decision came, the people lay awake at night in their beds, awaiting the cockerels' call. The Urner cockerel in Altdorf woke first after a terrible night's sleep and crowed at the Break of dawn. The Urner mountainclimber set off at once, while the fat Glarner cockerel was still sleeping soundly. Finally, he too spread his wings and crowed. The Glarner runner set off, already at a considerable disadvantage. This spurred him on to take bigger strides an he raced up the mountain quicker than anyone ever had done before. But then he saw the Urner runner below the ridge, striding up toward the valley; the Glarner picked up the pace once more, wanting to salvage what he could from the situation for his people. Underneath the pass, the men collided with one another and the Urner cried: «Here is the boundary!»
«Neighbour», spoke the Glarner sorrowfully, «be just and give me one more piece of the pasture that you have gained!» The Urner was unwilling, but as he saw his exhausted opponent look so despairing, he began to fell more generous and made the following suggestion: « I will give you as much lands as you can cover while carrying me on your back up the mountain.»
The valiant herdsman from Glarus lifted the Urner runner onto his shoulders and climbed another step up the rock. He managed a few more steps bevor his breath suddenly failed him. He drank cold water from a stream, with the Urner still on his back, who had only allowed him to drink on this condition. Then he fell dead. The border ist still marked today by the stream to which the Glarner carried the victorious Urner. The Urner were pleased with the land that they had gainded. but the Glarner also gave the herder the honour he was due and are sure never to forget his great efforts.