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Contributing Storytellers:
Karen Chace
Carol Connolly
Vicky Dworkin (Story 10, The Sorceress)
Yvonne Healy
Ofra Kipnis
Audrey Kopp
Marilyn McPhie
Rose Owens
Neppe Pettersson
Kevin Strauss
Yvonne Young
Compiled by Jackie Baldwin
CONTENTS
(Scroll down or click on the title of the story)
1) - The Frost
2) - The Hunter and his Wife
3) - The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship
4) - The Golden Fish
5) - Who Lived in the Skull?
6) - A Chapter of Fish
7) - Little Master Misery
8) - Salt
9) - Baba Yaga and the Little Girl with the Kind Heart
10) - The Sorceress
11) - The Tale of the Silver Saucer and the Transparent Apple
12) - Sadko
13) - Alenoushka and her Brother
14) - Vassilissa the Beautiful
15) - The Fire-Bird, the Horse of Power and the Princess Vasilissa
16) - The Firebird
17) - Vasilissa the Priest’s Daughter
18) - The Tzarevna Who Never Laughed
19) - The Singing Tree and the Talking Bird
20) - Jemelia, the Fool
21) - Who’ll Wash the Pot?
22) - Three Rolls and One Doughnutt
23) - The Little Round Bun
24) - Sharing the Reward
25) - Daydreams
26) - Ivan Gets It Wrong
27) - The Golden Vase
28) - The Three Daughters
29) - Two Lazy Brothers
30) - Who is the Mightiest in the World?
31) - The Poor Man and his Thousand Tanga
32) - The Cat and the Fox
33) - The Lute Player
34) - How the Bear and the Chipmunk Stopped Being Friends
35) - Ayoga
36) - Seven Fears
37) - A Thousand Thoughts
38) - The Twelve Months — A Slavic Tale
Glossary
Themes/Motifs
Keyword Index
Sources
Clip Art of Russian Illustrations from late 1800s
1) - THE FROST (from Old Peter's Russian Tales
Bones:
Old widower had pretty daughter, Marfousha; he married new wife with two daughters of her own. Cruel stepmother fed her greedy daughters kissel jelly and honey every day; Marfousha got leftovers, sometimes nothing at all. She worked all day every day fetching wood, tending fire, drawing water, sewing clothes, washing, mending, cooking, cleaning. Nothing made stepmother happy; she screeched and screamed. Marfousha, a happy girl, sang every day, except when she was beaten. Old father afraid of wife, did not dare intervene. Stepsisters mean, too.
Marfousha reached marriage age; stepmother selected bridegroom; ordered Marfousha to ready herself for trip to meet husband-to-be. Marfousha hoped for handsome Fedor Ivanovitch, a musician and dancer. She packed all her possessions; they fit in one tiny box.
Father prepared mare and sledge. Wicked stepmother ordered father to leave Marfousha alone in the icy, snowy forest to wait for her fiancé Frost, a bogatir, who owned all the forest. Father drove sledge for hours, while Marfousha, huddled in her worn sheepskin coat, wept bitter tears. He left her deep within the forest, told her to greet Frost with kind words, drove away in tears himself. Poor Marfousha shivered, shook in despair, teeth chattering between frozen lips.
Marfousha heard Frost approaching, leaping from tree to tree, branches crackling as he came. Approaching closer and closer, he asked many times if she was cold. Remembering her father’s advice, Marfousha assured him over and over that she was warm, even though she was nearly frozen. Impressed by her courage and grace, Frost leapt down, covering her with rich furs and warm blankets.
Wicked stepmother sent father back to spy on the couple; he discovered Marfousha and Frost laughing merrily, singing songs together. He also saw furs, blankets and a trunk filled with splendid jewels, gold and silver that Frost had given young Marfousha. Father brought Marfousha home with all her new possessions. Stepmother enraged. Insisted that father immediately take her two daughters to Frost to get their own gifts. Father delivered stepsisters into forest, left them there as he had Marfousha.
Jealous stepsisters quarreled about who their bridegrooms would be, complaining they would die in the cold before the men arrived; they fought, scratched each other, their cloaks fell open, cold entered their bosoms. Frost overheard, laughed as he froze the girls’ hands; still they continued calling each other names “ugly mug” “dirty nose”; finally their bodies began to freeze in earnest. More names came: “slut” “tooth-chatterer” “blue nose.” They heard Frost approaching through the trees, crackling, laughing, leaping from tree to tree. He leaned down from a treetop, “Are you warm, little maidens?” They screamed, “Are you blind? Our hands and feet are frozen. Go to the devil!” Frost came closer, crackling louder than ever: “How about now, little pigeons?” “Into the pit with you, you fiend! you ugly wretch.” The girls cursed and little by little they froze to death where they sat. Frost chuckled and left.
Next day, evil stepmother drove father out into cold to fetch girls with their new riches; he found girls dead under fir tree with anger and spite frozen on their ugly faces. He placed them onto sledge, drove home. Stepmother flew into rage at father, accusing him of murdering her daughters, threatening to beat him to death with a poker. Father remained silent. Stepmother screamed, scolded, screeched, then finally made peace with father as she realized she herself had sent her daughters to their deaths.
Fedor Ivanovitch proposed to sweet Marfousha, they married and had many kind and loving children.
~~~~~
2) - THE HUNTER AND HIS WIFE (from Old Peter's Russian Tales
Bones:
Hunter had wife, two dogs. Wife forever asking questions; he was glad to go into forest to hunt. Wife did not like dogs, so dogs glad to go, too. One day Hunter and dogs roamed through forest all day, saw no game. They went deeper into forest, smelled burning wood, saw flickering of fire. Hunter found clearing with wood pile in middle, burning fiercely; he could scarcely approach.
In middle of blazing timbers sat great snake, curled round and round upon itself, waving its head above flames; it called to Hunter in loud hiss: “Pull me out and you will understand the language of all birds and beasts” Hunter asked how to rescue him; snake told him to put barrel of gun in fire, it wound itself around the barrel, escaped from fire. Snake told him never to tell anyone about this gift or he would die the death instantly; then snake disappeared.
That night Hunter made small fire of twigs and broken branches, lay down to sleep; overheard one dog say to the other: “Brother, you stay here with our Master. I will run home to look after house and yard. When the Master is away, it is time for thieves.” And away he bounded.
Next day, dog returned; Hunter overheard dogs exchange cordial greetings. First dog said: “It was bad at home. Mistress screamed because Master was not with me, threw me a crust of burnt bread, so burnt that I snuffed and snuffed, but couldn’t eat it. Then she up and beats me with a poker, nearly broke all of my ribs.” He said thieves came into yard, but he howled loudly, leapt upon them so angrily and viciously that, terrified, they ran away. Hunter vowed to berate wife when he got home. That day he caught two hares and four woodcocks, took them home.
At home, Hunter asked Wife what she fed dog who came home; she lied, said she gave it whole basin of milk and crumbled loaf of bread for it. Hunter accused her of lying, told her what he had overheard from the dog. Wife asked how he knew that; Hunter refused to tell her, but did tell her he would die the death if he did. Wife entreated him, calling him “dear one” “little pigeon” “my dearest”; promising him that nothing could possibly happen to him for sharing such a small secret. Exhausted Hunter decided to give in and tell Wife everything.
But first, Hunter put on clean white shirt, laid down on bench under sacred images, got ready for death. Just as he was going to tell Wife the truth, he heard a great clucking in yard, some hens ran into cottage followed by cock, who was scolding hens and then boasting about it. Hunter overheard: “That’s the way to deal with you hens; I am not such a fool as our Master here, who cannot keep a single wife in order. I have 30 of you, and if you do not obey me, you hear from me sharp enough.”
Hunter decided then and there to be a fool no longer; he jumped up from the bench, took his whip, gave his wife such a beating that she never asked him another question ever again. But she never learned how he knew what she had done in the hut while he was away in the forest.
~~~~~
3) - THE FOOL OF THE WORLD AND THE FLYING SHIP (from Old Peter's Russian Tales
Bones:
An old peasant and his wife had three sons, two of whom were clever, one of whom was the Fool of the World. He never harmed anyone, but he was simple as a child. The parents favored the two older boys, could barely remember to feed the Fool; he never held a grudge.
Tsar sent messengers throughout country announcing that he would give the Princess in marriage to anyone who could bring him a flying ship with wings that could sail through the sky. Two older brothers set off to build such a ship and thus become rich and powerful. The parents gave them the best clothes and loads of food: soft white rolls, cooked meats, bottles of corn brandy. Mother waved goodbye long after they were out of sight. They were never heard from again.
Fool wanted to go, too, but parents told him he was so stupid he would walk into bear’s arms or be eaten by wolves; Fool decided to go anyway: “I am going. I am going. I am going.” Off he went in his rags, with nothing to eat but crusts of black bread and water. Mother turned her back on him as he left the house; parents were glad he was gone.
Fool sang as he went to seek his fortune and marry the Princess; met an ancient Old Man with bent back, long beard, eyes hidden under bushy eyebrows. Fool told Old Man of his mission; they sat down together to share his meager rations. But when he opened his bag, there were fresh white rolls, cooked meats, corn brandy, which he gladly gave to the Old Man to eat. Old Man said, “God loves simple folk. Even though your own mother does not love you, you will have your share of good things.” The Fool and Old Man ate, drank, sang joyous songs together. Old Man instructed Fool to continue journey, make a sacred sign of the cross three times at the first big tree, strike it with his little hatchet, fall backwards on the ground, lie there until someone woke him up. The flying ship would be constructed and all ready to fly. Fool was to sit in it and fly off anywhere he wanted; the Fool followed instructions.
Something jogged him awake, his hatchet was worn out, big tree was gone, in its place stood a flying ship. Fool got on board, seized tiller, instantly ship leapt up into air, sailed away over treetops.
Fool sailed above roadway for fear of getting lost. Looking down, he saw man lying on road below with his ear to the damp ground, man said he was listening to all that was being done in the world. Fool invited Listener aboard; they went on, singing songs. Down below was man with one leg on ground, the other tied to his head, man said that if he had both legs untied he would step across the world in a single stride. Fool invited Swift-goer aboard; they all went on. Down below was man with gun taking aim, man said he only shot at bird or beast 1,000 versts away. Fool invited Far-shooter on board; they went on. Down below was man with heavy sack of bread on his back, man said he was searching for more than the “scrap” of bread he had on his back. Fool invited Eater aboard; they all went on. Down below was man walking round and round lake; man said he couldn’t find any water, that all the water in lake was no more than a drop. Fool invited Drinker aboard; they all went on. Down below was man walking toward forest with wood on his back, man said if wood was scattered about a whole army of soldiers would leap up out of ground. Fool invited Wood-tender aboard; they went on. Down below was man carrying sack of straw, man said that if magic straw was strewn around in heat of summer, weather would instantly turn into snow and frost. Fool invited Moujik aboard; they went on, singing happily and cracking jokes.
They reached the palace of the Tzar; flew down and cast anchor in courtyard. Tzar heard them singing, saw them land the flying ship, sent servant to find out who this great prince was; servant returned with news they were all dirty peasants. Tsar immediately plotted to get out of promise of marriage to his daughter; decided to set impossible tasks.
Tzar ordered Fool to bring him magical water of life before he finished his dinner. Fool in despair. Swift-goer untied his foot, immediately leapt out of sight, found water of life, put some in bottle, sat under windmill, fell asleep. Tsar nearly finished with dinner, no sign of Swift-goer. Listener put ear to ground, discovered Swift-goer was asleep under windmill with fly buzzing, perched on windmill close above his head. Far-shooter stepped in, picked up gun, aimed at fly on windmill, woke Swift-goer with thud of bullet, Swift-goer leapt up and ran in less than a second back to Tsar’s palace. Fool gave magic water of life to servant who presented it to Tzar just before he left table.
Tzar now commanded Fool and companions to eat 12 oxen roasted whole, as much bread as could be baked in 40 ovens—in one meal. Fool terrified, but Eater said this would be just a little snack for him; he gobbled it up, still hungry.
Then Tzar commanded Fool and companions to drink 40 barrels of wine, with 40 bucketfuls in every barrel. Fool dismayed, but Drinker said it would be nothing for him; he drank everything down in one gulp, still thirsty.
Tsar agreed to wedding, but told Fool to bathe in bath-house first, instructed servants to heat iron bath-house so hot Fool would stifle and frizzle. Nervous Fool entered red-hot bath-house with Moujik and his straw; straw made everything so cold that Fool had scarcely enough time to wash before cauldrons froze to solid ice; they slept on the top of stove, shivering all night, but still sang songs.
Tzar in rage; demanded Fool prove he had regiments of soldiers to protect Princess; Fool hopeless, but Wood-tender reminded him of the soldiers inside his wood; so Fool challenged Tzar that if he put him off again, he would make war on his country and take Princess by force. Fool and his companions sat in flying ship singing, laughing, making jokes all night while Wood-tender scattered sticks. Gigantic army appeared instantly—cavalry, foot soldiers, guns, men in dazzling uniforms.
Next day, Tzar awoke to find himself surrounded by Fool’s troops; Tzar terrified, immediately sent rich jewels, fine clothes to Fool, begged him to marry Princess. Fool put on fine clothes, became most handsome man in country, presented himself to Tzar, fell in love with Princess and she with him, got married same day, received rich dowry, became so clever that all respected him. Tzar and Tzaritza grew to like him; Princess adored him.
~~~~~
4) - THE GOLDEN FISH (from Old Peter's Russian Tales
Bones:
?Long ago, near shore of blue sea, old Fisherman and Wife lived in tiny hut made of earth, moss, logs; never had a rouble to spend, not even a kopek! Fisherman caught fish with his net; Wife cooked fish; so they lived. They sold only a few fish. On summer nights, they sat outside hut on broken bench as he mended holes in his net.The Wife patched their clothes, complained bitterly.
One day Fisherman caught nothing until he threw net for last time. As he pulled his heavy net to shore, he thought he would find at least 100 fish, but instead, glittering brightly, a golden fish now lay in his net and began speaking.
Fish begged for its life, promising Fisherman that he could be of use to him. Astonished Fisherman found out that fish’s heart felt pain. Fisherman threw golden fish back into sea. Fish stayed there with its tail slowly flapping water to keep its head up, looked at Fisherman kindly, spoke again, telling Fisherman to make a wish and it would be granted. Fisherman could not think of anything he wanted, he had everything he needed. Fish told him if he ever wanted anything, to come to the shore and ask for it; in flash of gold, Fish disappeared.
Fisherman returned to his hovel and Wife; told her everything. Wife was furious; she ordered him to go back and ask for bread. Back the Fisherman went to the shore, called out
Head in air and tail in sea;
Fish, fish, listen to me.
Golden Fish appeared; Fisherman asked for bread, Fish told him to go home and dove back into sea. Sad Fisherman trudged home, discovered excited Wife with huge loaf of rare, delicious white bread. Happy Wife beamed as they cut into loaf, dipping bread into hot tea.
Wife decided she wanted trough to keep bread fresh, so she ordered Fisherman to seek out fish again. Nervous Fisherman returned to shore, calling for fish. Up came Fish, golden in sun’s rays. Hearing Fisherman’s request, Fish said, “Go home!” and dove into sea. Fisherman returned to find bread in beautiful trough. Wife still not happy. Now she ordered him to ask for a new hut. Reluctant Fisherman returned to shore, called again. Fish said, “Now what?” Request was made, he said “Go home!” Fisherman returned to finest hut God ever built, new inside and out.
Wife miserable; now she wanted to be a lady living in a fine house with other people to do all her work; she ordered sad Fisherman to return to the fish. One again, Fish said, “Go home!” Fisherman came home to huge brick house, servants everywhere. Wife sent him to stables; he was not good enough for her now. Servants mistreated him, grooms whipped him, he ate in kitchen, swept courtyard.
Wife tired of this, too; wanted to be Tzaritza, with generals and courtiers doing her bidding. Fisherman returned to sea. Fish getting annoyed, but said, “Go home!” Fisherman returned to find Wife dressed in gold/silver, in palace with golden roof, flower gardens. Still not satisfied; under penalty of death Wife sent him back to shore to make her ruler of all the seas. Three times he called for the fish; nothing happened. A huge storm descended upon him, angry waves, roaring wind. Fish appeared in fury; did not respond to request; dove back into water.
Fisherman went home, discovered Wife in rags sitting in their old hovel, cleaning pans, singing songs. They sat down together on bench, drank tea without sugar; they had no money. Fisherman caught many fish after that, but never another golden one.
~~~~~
5) - WHO LIVED IN THE SKULL? (from Old Peter's Russian Tales
Bones:
Horse’s skull lay on open plain, picked clean by ants, shone white in sunlight.
Little Burrowing Mouse came by, twirling his whiskers; saw white skull, thought it as good as a palace. Mouse stood in front of skull, called out: “Who lives there?” No answer. Mouse decided to live there himself. In he went, set up house.
Croaking Frog jumped along, three strides, then another jump; saw skull, inquired: “Who lives there?” Answer: “I am Burrowing Mouse; who are you?” He invited Croaking Frog to move in, which he did; the two set up living together.
Hare Hide-in-the-Hill appeared, called out, identified himself, was invited in with the others.
Fox Run-about-Everywhere came running by, identified himself, was invited in.
Wolf Leap-out-of-the-Bushes prowled by, identified himself, was invited in.
All five began to live together.
Along came Bear, very slow, very heavy; spotted skull house, asked who lived there, the five identified themselves, asked him who he was. “I am Bear Squash-the-Lot,” laughed the Bear; sat down on the horse’s skull, squashed the whole lot of them.
Note: The way to tell this story is to make one hand the skull, and the fingers and thumb of the other hand the animals that go in one by one. When it comes to the end, and the Bear comes along, squash one hand over the other or hug whoever is around and squeeze tight.
(This note appears in the book.)
~~~~~
6) - A CHAPTER OF FISH (from Old Peter's Russian Tales
Bones:
On the night of Ivanov’s Day (the day of Saint John, which is Midsummer), the first pike, a huge fish, was born with sharp teeth like no others. At the sharp-toothed pike’s birth, waters of river foamed, raged; ships in river were swamped; pretty young girls playing on riverbanks ran away terrified by the roaring waves, black wind, white foam.
Pike grew hour by hour, each day two inches longer than before; in two months, 12 feet long; in three months it raged up and down river like a tempest, eating all other fish. Any fish in its path suffered the pike’s rage and was swallowed like a sunflower seed. No one knew what to do.
The bream, perch, roach, dace, gudgeon, ersh and others met in a quiet pool; they knew the great pike would eat them all in time; they needed to stop it. The fish argued violently. Some wanted to kill the pike, but none knew how or were too small or had no teeth. They discussed many foolish ideas.
The tiny but wise ersh, with its spiny back and big front fins, its head shining in blue, gold, green, began to talk. He reminded the others that the pike did not give any little fish a chance, rather crunched them all with its sharp teeth, swallowed them 10 at a time. He pointed out that none of them was strong enough to kill it. He suggested starving the pike to death by all clearing out, living and hiding in the small, quiet rivers flowing into the big river, places where they could hide among the weeds, bring up their children in peace, only be in danger when visiting one small river to another. He guessed that the pike’s teeth would grow blunt for lack of food.
The other fish danced with delight at this suggestion; they all departed for the small rivers. There they lived in peace, though clever fisherman spied and caught many of them. The pike swam up and down the great river, but found no food. Pike began to eat worms; finally, fisherman’s hook caught it. Fisherman made soup of it—best fish soup ever created.
~~~~~
7) - LITTLE MASTER MISERY (from Old Peter's Russian Tales
Bones:
?Two brothers, peasants, one Kind, the other Cunning. Cunning made money, got so rich he thought himself too good for village. He moved to town, dressed himself in furs, his wife in brocades, made friends among merchants, ate rich foods all day long; Got richer.
Kind lent money to neighbor, who never paid it back; sowed before last frost, lost all his crops; horse went lame; cow gave no milk; hens’ eggs stolen; all fish in his night-line stolen; got poorer and poorer. No food in house, wife and he were thin as sticks, children crying all day long for lack of food; he worked all day to no avail.
Wife sent Kind to brother to ask for help. He arrived at brother’s rich house, servants everywhere, food in abundance. He begged Cunning for money; Cunning hummed, stroked his beard, agreed to help if Kind worked for him and earned it. Kind thanked him, bowed, kissed his hand, praised God for brother’s kindness, set to work. Slaved for week, scarcely slept, cleaned stables, cut wood, swept yard, ran errands for cook. Cunning gave him one loaf of bread, saying that he had fed Kind all week.
Cunning invited Kind and wife to name-day feast. Kind said he and wife had only rags to wear, straw slippers, he would shame Cunning before his friends. Cunning insisted. Kind went home with bread, wife very upset at small payment, but pleased about feast. They walked to town next day, all guests making merry, eating, laughing, drinking, talking. Cunning barely greeted Kind, forgot he was there. They got nothing to eat or drink, sat with empty plates, glasses, watching others; they tried to join in.
Guests went home, drunk, joyful, shouting jokes, singing songs. Kind and wife walked home very sad, hungry. Kind urged wife to sing with him; wife called him foolish, they had no reason to sing, but Kind sang anyway so people would think Cunning had treated them well. Kind heard another voice join in, a sad, weak little voice.They listened, the miserable little voice came from under the trees. In answer to Kind, voice identified himself as Misery. Kind invited “Master Misery,” a wretched little man with such a miserable face, thin arms and legs, to join them as they walked. At home, Master Misery urged Kind to go to tavern with him, suggested that since it was spring, Kind could trade his winter jacket for vodka They drank the night away.
Next morning Misery’s head ached, his eyes stuck shut, complained about weather, crying children, no food; urged Kind to go to tavern again. Kind protested “No money.” Misery told him to exchange his sledge and cart for vodka. Tavern-keeper soon threw them out; they crawled home drunk. Next day Misery complained, wanted to go back to tavern. Kind traded his harrow and plough, so he could no longer work his land. Day after day for a month they went to tavern until Kind had nothing left. He even gave away his humble hut. He was unhappy, had no willpower left; Misery winning out.
Misery begged Kind to go to tavern every day; he said there he was not wretched, he could sing, dance, make merry noises. Kind had nothing to trade; Misery said sell one of wife’s two dresses, so weak Kind traded dress. Misery laughed, danced, but Kind was destitute. Next day Misery groaned, complained, ordered Kind to borrow cart and pair of oxen from neighbor, promising to work a week for him for nothing; neighbor agreed but warned them not to carry anything heavy. Kind and Misery drove off, Misery holding his head, moaning. He ordered Kind to drive to huge stone that stood in nearby field; Kind did so. They pushed stone aside; hole underneath filled with gold. Misery made Kind load all the gold onto the cart, while he sat and moaned, groaned, complained. Kind took everything out of hole, asked Misery to jump into the pit to be sure. Misery did so; instantly Kind rolled stone over hole to shut Misery in, saying that Misery would sooner or later have drunk up all the gold. Kind drove home, hid gold in cellar, took oxen and cart back to neighbor with thanks, worked a week for his neighbor, thought about what to do now that he had plenty of money.
At end of week, Kind bought forest, built himself fine house, began to live twice as richly as Cunning. He bought his wife new dresses with gold and silver braid, necklaces, bracelets, sparkling rings. His children drank milk, ate kissel jelly, mushrooms with sauce, soup, cakes with egg and meat hidden in middle. They had toys to play with.
Kind’s name-day drew near; he invited Cunning and wife to feast. Cunning unaware that Kind was now wealthy. He and wife journeyed to village, found that Kind now lived in richest house there. Old man informed them that Kind was now Ivan Ilyitch, whose kind heart riches had not spoiled; he had invited whole village to the feast. Cunning astonished, overheard villagers praising Kind as they walked to enjoy the feast.
Kind greeted Cunning with joy, kissing him on both cheeks, giving him and his wife best seats, feeding them the best food: smoked salmon, beetroot soup with cream, slabs of sturgeon, many meats, game, sweetmeats. They drank red and white wine, beer, mead in great barrels. All plates and glasses were constantly filled and refilled. Cunning, perplexed and envious, coaxed truth out of Kind; plotted revenge on Kind for being generous with his riches
Cunning raced to field where Master Misery lay buried; determined to let Misery out so he could tear Kind to pieces. He moved stone, bent over pit, Misery sprang up out of pit, seated himself on Cunning’s shoulders, squeezed his neck with his wiry little legs, pulled out handfuls of hair. Misery screeched, screamed, accused Cunning of trying to kill him. Cunning tried to explain, but Misery pulled his hair, twisted he ears until they nearly came off. “Liar, liar,” he shouted, “you’ll never get rid of me this time, lying will do you no good, home we go.” Cunning trotted home, crying with pain, while Master Misery rode on his shoulders, driving him on.
Once in merchant’s house, Misery commanded Cunning to go to tavern with him every day, drink away all his riches, his clothes, his horses, carts, sledges—everything he had—until Cunning was as poor as Kind had been in the beginning. Misery moaned, groaned, complained, found fault with everything. Cunning plotted how to get rid of Misery; finally tinkered with cart wheel one night. Next day he told Misery that he had nothing left, that they would have to spend their time playing hide-and-seek in the yard; Misery agreed, but said Cunning would never find him. Cunning hid first, Misery found him immediately. Misery said he could get inside the hub of a wheel if he wanted to; Cunning declared he was a liar. Misery made himself little, little, little and sat on hub of wheel; smaller still, he popped into hole in the hub. Cunning instantly took wedge and hammer, drove wedge into hole; Misery was trapped inside hub. Cunning carried wheel on shoulders, threw it into river where it floated out to sea.
Cunning set out next day to make money again, hired himself out just as Kind used to do.
Misery floated down river, stuck in the hub of the wheel where he should have starved to death. Instead, some silly, greedy fellow wanted to get a new wheel for free, pulled out the wedges and out came Misery, ready to wander the world once again, making people wretched and miserable.
~~~~~
8) - SALT (from Old Peter's Russian Tales
Bones:
Two brothers, peasants, one Kind, the other Cunning. Cunning made money, got so rich he thought himself too good for village. He moved to town, dressed himself in furs, his wife in brocades, made friends among merchants, ate rich foods all day long; Got richer.
Kind lent money to neighbor, who never paid it back; sowed before last frost, lost all his crops; horse went lame; cow gave no milk; hens’ eggs stolen; all fish in his night-line stolen; got poorer and poorer. No food in house, wife and he were thin as sticks, children crying all day long for lack of food; he worked all day to no avail.
Wife sent Kind to brother to ask for help. He arrived at brother’s rich house, servants everywhere, food in abundance. He begged Cunning for money; Cunning hummed, stroked his beard, agreed to help if Kind worked for him and earned it. Kind thanked him, bowed, kissed his hand, praised God for brother’s kindness, set to work. Slaved for week, scarcely slept, cleaned stables, cut wood, swept yard, ran errands for cook. Cunning gave him one loaf of bread, saying that he had fed Kind all week.
Cunning invited Kind and wife to name-day feast. Kind said he and wife had only rags to wear, straw slippers, he would shame Cunning before his friends. Cunning insisted. Kind went home with bread, wife very upset at small payment, but pleased about feast. They walked to town next day, all guests making merry, eating, laughing, drinking, talking. Cunning barely greeted Kind, forgot he was there. They got nothing to eat or drink, sat with empty plates, glasses, watching others; they tried to join in.
Guests went home, drunk, joyful, shouting jokes, singing songs. Kind and wife walked home very sad, hungry. Kind urged wife to sing with him; wife called him foolish, they had no reason to sing, but Kind sang anyway so people would think Cunning had treated them well. Kind heard another voice join in, a sad, weak little voice.They listened, the miserable little voice came from under the trees. In answer to Kind, voice identified himself as Misery. Kind invited “Master Misery,” a wretched little man with such a miserable face, thin arms and legs, to join them as they walked. At home, Master Misery urged Kind to go to tavern with him, suggested that since it was spring, Kind could trade his winter jacket for vodka They drank the night away.
Next morning Misery’s head ached, his eyes stuck shut, complained about weather, crying children, no food; urged Kind to go to tavern again. Kind protested “No money.” Misery told him to exchange his sledge and cart for vodka. Tavern-keeper soon threw them out; they crawled home drunk. Next day Misery complained, wanted to go back to tavern. Kind traded his harrow and plough, so he could no longer work his land. Day after day for a month they went to tavern until Kind had nothing left. He even gave away his humble hut. He was unhappy, had no willpower left; Misery winning out.
Misery begged Kind to go to tavern every day; he said there he was not wretched, he could sing, dance, make merry noises. Kind had nothing to trade; Misery said sell one of wife’s two dresses, so weak Kind traded dress. Misery laughed, danced, but Kind was destitute. Next day Misery groaned, complained, ordered Kind to borrow cart and pair of oxen from neighbor, promising to work a week for him for nothing; neighbor agreed but warned them not to carry anything heavy. Kind and Misery drove off, Misery holding his head, moaning. He ordered Kind to drive to huge stone that stood in nearby field; Kind did so. They pushed stone aside; hole underneath filled with gold. Misery made Kind load all the gold onto the cart, while he sat and moaned, groaned, complained. Kind took everything out of hole, asked Misery to jump into the pit to be sure. Misery did so; instantly Kind rolled stone over hole to shut Misery in, saying that Misery would sooner or later have drunk up all the gold. Kind drove home, hid gold in cellar, took oxen and cart back to neighbor with thanks, worked a week for his neighbor, thought about what to do now that he had plenty of money.
At end of week, Kind bought forest, built himself fine house, began to live twice as richly as Cunning. He bought his wife new dresses with gold and silver braid, necklaces, bracelets, sparkling rings. His children drank milk, ate kissel jelly, mushrooms with sauce, soup, cakes with egg and meat hidden in middle. They had toys to play with.
Kind’s name-day drew near; he invited Cunning and wife to feast. Cunning unaware that Kind was now wealthy. He and wife journeyed to village, found that Kind now lived in richest house there. Old man informed them that Kind was now Ivan Ilyitch, whose kind heart riches had not spoiled; he had invited whole village to the feast. Cunning astonished, overheard villagers praising Kind as they walked to enjoy the feast.
Kind greeted Cunning with joy, kissing him on both cheeks, giving him and his wife best seats, feeding them the best food: smoked salmon, beetroot soup with cream, slabs of sturgeon, many meats, game, sweetmeats. They drank red and white wine, beer, mead in great barrels. All plates and glasses were constantly filled and refilled. Cunning, perplexed and envious, coaxed truth out of Kind; plotted revenge on Kind for being generous with his riches
Cunning raced to field where Master Misery lay buried; determined to let Misery out so he could tear Kind to pieces. He moved stone, bent over pit, Misery sprang up out of pit, seated himself on Cunning’s shoulders, squeezed his neck with his wiry little legs, pulled out handfuls of hair. Misery screeched, screamed, accused Cunning of trying to kill him. Cunning tried to explain, but Misery pulled his hair, twisted he ears until they nearly came off. “Liar, liar,” he shouted, “you’ll never get rid of me this time, lying will do you no good, home we go.” Cunning trotted home, crying with pain, while Master Misery rode on his shoulders, driving him on.
Once in merchant’s house, Misery commanded Cunning to go to tavern with him every day, drink away all his riches, his clothes, his horses, carts, sledges—everything he had—until Cunning was as poor as Kind had been in the beginning. Misery moaned, groaned, complained, found fault with everything. Cunning plotted how to get rid of Misery; finally tinkered with cart wheel one night. Next day he told Misery that he had nothing left, that they would have to spend their time playing hide-and-seek in the yard; Misery agreed, but said Cunning would never find him. Cunning hid first, Misery found him immediately. Misery said he could get inside the hub of a wheel if he wanted to; Cunning declared he was a liar. Misery made himself little, little, little and sat on hub of wheel; smaller still, he popped into hole in the hub. Cunning instantly took wedge and hammer, drove wedge into hole; Misery was trapped inside hub. Cunning carried wheel on shoulders, threw it into river where it floated out to sea.
Cunning set out next day to make money again, hired himself out just as Kind used to do.
Misery floated down river, stuck in the hub of the wheel where he should have starved to death. Instead, some silly, greedy fellow wanted to get a new wheel for free, pulled out the wedges and out came Misery, ready to wander the world once again, making people wretched and miserable.
~~~~~
9) - BABA YAGA AND THE LITTLE GIRL WITH THE KIND HEART (from Old Peter's Russian Tales
?(In this book, Old Peter told the children that Baba Yaga was a witch, a terrible old woman, who was only sometimes kind. She had iron teeth, like poker and tongs; she ate little Russian children whenever she could capture them. Usually, she ate the bad children, because the good children got away. She was bony all over, her eyes flashed, she drove about in a mortar, beating it with a pestle, sweeping up her tracks with a besom, so you could not tell which way she had gone.She lived in a little hut that stood on hen’s legs; sometimes facing the forest, sometimes facing the path, and sometimes walking solemnly about. In other stories, she lived in a hut with a railing of tall sticks, and a skull on each stick. All night long fire glowed in the skulls and faded as the dawn rose. Old Peter then told the story of one little girl who got away, so that children who heard this story would know exactly what to do if Baba Yaga ever caught them.)
Bones:
Old widower lived in hut with daughter; all went well until he remarried. No more bread/jam, no more playing, no more tea. Stepmother blamed girl for everything; old man believed new wife; stepmother threw girl crusty bread, ordered her to eat outside; girl ate in shed, moistening dry bread with tears.
Scratch, scratch! Little grey mouse emerged, stared; she gave him bread. Mouseykin nibbled, nibbled, ate until bread was gone.
Mouse thanked girl, warned her that stepmother was sister to Baba Yaga, the bony-legged, the witch; said to tell him if stepmother ever sent her to Baba Yaga; girl grateful, returned to never-ending chores.
Next day, old man left on trip, stepmother ordered girl to visit “aunt” in forest to borrow needle/thread.
Girl handed stepmother needle/thread from their house; woman gnashed teeth, pinched girl’s nose, commanded her to go into forest to fallen tree, turn left, follow her nose to “auntie.” Gave her food in towel. Girl could not tell Mouseykin because stepmother was watching her. Girl reached fallen tree.
Suddenly, Mouseykin jumped out from under tree; girl told all. Mouse instructed girl to save everything she found in road; thus, she would escape Baba Yaga.
Girl offered mouse food, but found only stones in towel; mouse changed stones to bread/jam; they ate together; Mouse told girl to keep towel as it would be useful.
Girl continued journey, picked up new handkerchief lying in road, bottle of oil, scraps of meat, blue ribbon, loaf of bread.
Arrived at Baba Yaga’s hut. With oil, girl fixed squeaky gates, gates grateful; inside girl saw hut walking around on hen’s legs. Baba Yaga’s servant cried because of difficult tasks she had to perform; girl gave servant handkerchief to wipe eyes; servant grateful. Huge dog lay nearby, gnawing on tiny crust of dry bread; girl gave him loaf of bread; dog grateful.
Baba Yaga, weaving at loom, snapping her iron teeth, invited girl inside. Girl took over weaving, B-Y went to get needle/thread. B-Y ordered servant to scrub girl in boiling hot water so she could eat her. Girl begged servant to take long time to ready bath; grateful servant did. Girl continued weaving, kept loom going clickety-clack;. B-Y checked up on her frequently.
Girl saw starving black cat eyeing mousehole, gave scraps of meat to him; grateful Catkin offered girl way to escape; instructed her to take comb and towel while B-Y was in bathhouse, must run run run; when B-Y drew close, throw towel at her, it would turn into a wide river, then run run run more. When B-Y closed in again, throw comb at her, it would turn into forest too dense for B-Y to get through. Grateful Catkin sat at loom, kept it going clickety clack, clickety clack.
Girl saw B-Y in bathhouse, ran ran ran. Huge dog leaped at her, but lay down when he recognized her. Newly oiled gates opened quietly.
Birch tree whipped branches in girl’s eyes; girl tied them up with pretty blue ribbon. Ran ran ran.
B-Y checked on girl, “Are you weaving, my pretty?” Cat answered; B-Y discovered Catkin weaving, grabbed him, beat him, threw his broken body in corner.
B-Y screeched at gates, dog, birch tree, finally reproached servant for being so slow in preparing bath. Each pointed out what girl had done for them that B-Y never had. Furious, B-Y jumped into mortar, ground it with pestle, swept up tracks with besom, flew away after girl, gnashing her iron teeth.
Girl ran ran ran, heard B-Y approaching bang bang bangety bang! very close! Girl threw towel on ground; instantly broad deep river appeared; B-Y drove mortar into river, but it could not cross; B-Y went home, got all her cattle, drove them to river, ordered them to drink river dry; she crossed.
Girl ran ran ran, heard B-Y approaching again bang bang bangety bang! nearer and nearer!. Girl threw down comb, it turned into thick forest; B-Y, screaming with rage, could not get through.
Girl got home, hid in shed, Mouseykin comforted her. Father got home, breathless girl told him all. Stepmother turned yellow, her eyes glowed, teeth ground until they broke.
Angry father drove stepmother out of hut; live thereafter with little girl only. Mouse came out of shed, ate crumbs at table with family, warmed little paws on girl’s teacup; all lived happily ever after.
~~~~~
10) - THE SORCERESS
?[Bones taken from Russian Fairy Tales
Bones:
King’s daughter was a sorceress.
Priest at court had a son who took lessons from an old woman.
Son saw princess remove her head, wash her hair, and comb it. Told other people she was a sorceress.
Princess fell ill, told father that if she died, priest’s son must read blessings three nights in a row.
Princess died, king asked priest to have son read the blessings.
Son was afraid, told his teacher. She told him to draw circle around him with a knife, keep reading prayers no matter what happened.
At midnight, coffin opened, princess sat up and threatened him, couldn’t cross circle. Went back into coffin at dawn.
Next night, same thing.
Old woman warned, third night will be worst. Hammer coffin closed with nails, keep hammer by you in circle.
At midnight, coffin opened, princess threatened him with all sorts of terrors, church seemed in flames. Couldn’t cross circle. Son kept reading blessings.
At dawn, princess back in coffin, fire vanished. King finds coffin open, princess face down. Boy explains. King drives aspen stake through princess’s chest, buries her, rewards boy.
[Another version of this tale, "The Sorceress," is found in The Magic Egg and Other Tales from Ukraine, retold by Barbara J. Suwyn, World Folklore Series, Englewood, Co: Libraries Unlimited, 1997, 163-169. In this version, the hero is the priest’s daughter.]
Contributed by Vicky Dworkin, Kailua HI
Coordinator, Moonlight Storytellers of Oahu
dworkin@hawaii.edu
~~~~~
11) -THE TALE OF THE SILVER SAUCER AND THE TRANSPARENT APPLE (from Old Peter's Russian Tales
Bones:
?Old peasant, like a merchant, took things to sell every year at big fair of Nijni Novgorod. He had three daughters, the youngest by far the prettiest. Younger one had to do all the work, they called her Little Stupid, because she was so good. Father prepared for yearly fair, asked “Little Pigeons” what they wanted. Oldest: rich necklace. Second: new dress with gold hems. Youngest: (after much coaxing) a silver saucer and transparent apple. Father shook head: “Long hair, short sense.” But he promised to try.
As they waited for his return, elder daughters admired themselves in mirror; Little Stupid took care of old mother, scrubbed, dusted, swept, cooked. Older sisters complained about everything.
Father returned with gifts for two older sisters; told Little Stupid that he bought silver saucer from an old Jew, transparent apple from Finnish hag. She said she would spin apple in saucer; Merchant laughed. Older sisters put on new gifts, strutted around, preening like herons on one leg, then the other. Little Stupid sat beside stove, spun apple in saucer; round and round it spun, faster, faster, apple became mist like little whirlpool. Elder sisters mocked her. Little Stupid talked to apple: “Spin so I may see the world. Let me have a peep at the little father Tzar on his high throne. Let me see the rivers, ships, great towns far away.!” And she saw all these things in the little whirlpool in her saucer: Tzar, ships, Moscow with white stone walls, painted churches, market at Nijni Novgorod, Arab merchants with camels, Chinese with blue trousers, great river Volga, even sturgeon asleep in deep pool.
Elder sisters peered over her shoulder, saw all; old father looked and saw market at Nijni Novgorod. Little Stupid kept spinning apple and looking at all the world before her. Sisters sick with envy. Each tried to exchange gifts with her, Little Stupid refused, just kept spinning. Sisters plotted against her.
Next day they invited her to go berry picking; she was astonished, but agreed. She entrusted Father to take care of saucer/apple; Father locked them up. Little Stupid ran after sisters. Deep, deep into forest they went; sisters blocked Little Stupid’s way, holding axe, staring at her with evil eyes, threatened her with axe, demanded saucer/apple. She told them she left them at home; they grabbed her hair, swung the axe, Little Stupid was dead. They searched in vain for saucer/apple, then buried body under birch tree. Evil sisters returned home, rubbed eyes with dirt until tears came, reddened eyes and noses with berry juice, told Father and Mother that little sister wandered off, they thought wolves had eaten her. Mother and Father mourned, cried like rivers in springtime. Evil sisters asked for saucer/apple; Father refused, wanted to keep them in memory of youngest daughter.
Winter came, snow fell, followed by Spring People almost forgot Little Stupid. Evil sisters hated that now they had to do all the work. A shepherd boy chased a stray lamb into forest, came upon birch tree with mound underneath, out of which grew a reed. He plucked the reed to make a whistle-pipe, cut and carved it, cut out holes and brought it toward his lips. Before he could blow, out came a girl’s sweet voice: “Play, play, whistle-pipe. Bring happiness to my dear father and my little mother. I was killed—yes, my life was taken from me because of a silver saucer and transparent apple.” Shepherd in shock, returned to village with whistle-pipe singing the plaintive song all the way; shepherd told all. People crowded about; father of Little Stupid listened with the rest. Father recognized his daughter’s voice; despondent, he ordered shepherd to take him to mound. They dug up mound; Little Stupid lay there as if asleep. Father wailed, wept, wrung hands. Now the whistle-pipe changed its song, told Father that sisters had taken her into forest to look for red berries; they killed her for saucer/apple. She begged Father to wake her by fetching water from Tzar’s well.
Villagers turned on evil sisters; sisters fell on knees, confessed; were imprisoned. Father begged for mercy; asked them to wait while he got water. Whistle-pipe pleaded again for Tzar’s water and asked villagers to cover her with black earth in the shade of green birch tree; they did so.
Father drove to Tzar’s palace. Tzar, with rings on fingers, gold crown on head, greeted him. Father begged on knees for water, just a drop, to wake his daughter from her tortured sleep; he told all.
Tzar, very curious about silver saucer and transparent apple; gave Father glass of holy water, instructed Father that when daughterkin awoke, he was to bring her to palace, along with sisters, the silver saucer and transparent apple. Father kissed ground, returned to forest with water; he and shepherd exposed grave; Father sprinkled holy water over girl. She opened eyes, leapt up, crying, laughing with joy. Shepherd wept too, fell in love.
Father placed Little Stupid on cart, fetched sisters from prison, drove to Tzar’s palace. Tzar greeted them, fell in love with Little Stupid. Father unlocked box with saucer/ apple, gave to Tzar. Little Stupid showed Tzar how to spin apple; Tzar enchanted with what he saw. She begged that sisters be forgiven; Tzar did so; proposed to Little Stupid; everyone agreed to marriage. Such a wedding! Every city in Russia sent silver plates of bread, golden salt-cellars, good wishes. Shepherd boy sadly turned away, returned to forest.
Little Stupid begged that her father, mother and sisters be allowed to live in palace; Tzar agreed; Tzar and Little Stupid Tzaritza lived together many years, had many children, were very happy. Whenever they wished, they spun transparent apple on silver saucer and saw what was happening all over Russia.
Even shepherd boy became happy because if he had married Little Stupid, he would have had to live with everyone in a tiny hut and never would have been able to get away from any of them.
~~~~~
12) -SADKO (from Old Peter's Russian Tales
Bones:
Rich merchant in Novgorod lost all his money, died, leaving son, Sadko, penniless. Sadko played dulcimer at dances, earned only a few kopeks. Strong, handsome, blond and blue-eyed, he was bored; could not dance with pretty girls because he had no money to marry. No Novgorod girl longed for Sadko; they only issued orders for him to play so they could dance with their wealthy boyfriends. Poor Sadko—all alone with his dulcimer.
He loved to play music on banks of little river Volkhov or nearby lake, watching pale mists rise over water at dawn and sunset. He loved river, helped fishermen, earned fish for supper. One night he watched nets while fishermen went to Novgorod to sell fish. Sadko sang love songs about lake and river; suddenly saw whirlpool in lake with deep hollow in middle; great man with blue hair falling to his waist, gold crown, rose out of water—Tzar of the Sea. Tzar told Sadko that his daughters loved his music; instructed him to throw nets into water for payment; if satisfied with reward, Sadko invited to play at green palace of the sea. Tzar sank back into water, disappeared as waves roared. Sadko cast out nets; played, sang until moon glowed; pulled in nets, nothing, but at last moment pulled in huge coffer full of precious jewels. After hiding coffer, he continued playing, singing, while deciding what to do.
Next morning, fishermen returned, gave Sadko little fish for his efforts; he cooked and ate fish as always, knowing it was his last meal as poor man. He hoisted coffer on shoulders, entered Novgorod, sold some jewels, set up shop, soon became rich trader. Now all girls longed for Sadko with his golden hair, blue eyes. He did not change; played his dulcimer and sang every night by his river. Sighed: “There is no girl in all Novgorod as pretty as my little river.” The river was his sweetheart.
For 12 years unmarried Sadko bought, sold, near and far, got richer, richer; many a pillow wet with tears of sweet young girls who longed for him. Always, he threw jewelry as gifts into river he loved. In twelfth year, in Caspian Sea, Sadko sat on deck of ship singing of his river; suddenly, ship stopped in middle of sea; more sails hoisted, wind strong, but ship did not move, only shivered, creaked, groaned. Sailors drew lots to find unlucky one to throw overboard; Sadko drew shortest piece of string. Sailors cursed him; he willingly took dulcimer, jumped overboard, sank, ship shot forward, flew over waves like swan’s feather, straight to nearest harbor.
Waves closed over Sadko’s head; he sank to bottom of sea, arrived at palace built of shipwrecked timbers, guarded by two giant sturgeons. Tzar greeted Sadko, requested him to sing; Sadko played and sang of little river Volkhov, of winds whistling over lake, ripples of water on shore. The underwater palace rang with his music, stirring all the sea creatures. Tzar rose, towered like mountain; he danced! Tzar offered his 30 daughters to Sadko, promising to make him Prince of the Sea. But Sadko said he loved his river more than any maiden. 29 lovely maidens passed by to no avail; but 30th captured his heart with her dark hair, eyes shining like stars reflected in his river. The girl’s name was Volkhov; like his river; she wore a necklace he had thrown into river; he discovered she had saved all the gifts he had given river. They kissed, married by Tzar. On wedding night, Princess made him promise to remember her always, to play and sing to her sometimes. That night he touched her with his left foot, found her cold as ice in January; he awoke near Novgorod with one foot in river. Ever after, Sadko wandered near river, playing, singing. Some say he plunged into water, seeking his Princess; some say he found her and huge storms arise when Sadko plays and sings in the deep sea—and Tzar of the Sea dances.
~~~~~
13) -ALENOUSHKA AND HER BROTHER (from Old Peter's Russian Tales
Bones:
?Two orphaned children, boy Vanoushka, girl Alenoushka, set out to walk barefooted through whole world. On a hot, treeless plain, they longed for water, their throats parched, dry as sand on a stove. Vanoushka found horse’s hoofmark in ground, full of water; Alenoushka warned he would turn into foal if he drank. They continued walking under burning sun. Vanoushka found cow’s hoofmark; again, Alenoushka warned he would turn into little calf. They continued walking, blisters on their feet; close to death. Vanoushka spied tiny footprint of sheep filled with water; said nothing to sister, knelt down, drank. Whoosh! he turned into lamb, frisking, leaping, little tail tossing in air, trying to lick girl’s face.
Alenoushka guessed what had happened, sat down, wept. Little lamb felt sorry for her, but soon had to leap, frisk around again as little lambs do. Fine gentleman rode by on big black horse; surprised to see Alenoushka weeping and frisky lamb licking off her tears. Alenoushka told all. Man skeptical, but took Alenoushka with him, dressed her in fine clothes, set silver ornaments in her hair, bracelets of gold on her little wrists; took little lamb, too, promising that nothing would ever part her from her lamb.
Marriage followed; they all lived happily together; playful lamb never grew, stayed near Alenoushka always. Husband left on trip, ugly old witch with one tooth came to do evil, Alenoushka invited her to dinner; witch put spell on wine. When husband returned, wife was pale as snow, thin as old stick. Alenoushka hoped to get well, but each day when husband left to tend fields, witch returned to keep girl under spell. Old witch promised to cure Alenoushka; told her to bathe in river secretly and she would cast a spell on the waters. Girl disguised herself and, telling no one, slipped out of house, went to river. Lamb followed her. Old witch was waiting, tore off girl’s dress, tied stone around her neck, threw her into deep water, dressed herself like Alenoushka. Lamb saw all.
Husband returned, found Alenoushka well again, plump pink cheeks, smile on rosy lips; but lamb knew all. Got sad, melancholy, went to river morning and night, cried “Baa, baa” to river, answered only by sighing of wind in reeds. Witch watched lamb, hated him, ordered sticks cut, iron cauldron heated, steel knives sharpened—time for lamb stew. Husband astonished, for he knew how much Alenoushka loved her lamb, always caressing/kissing it; he decided mind of woman was like wind in summer.
Lamb watched feast preparation, realized what was happening, ran away to river, sang farewell song:
Alenoushka, little sister,
They are going to slaughter me;
They are cutting wooden fagots,
They are heating iron cauldrons,
They are sharpening knives of steel.
Alenoushka, lamenting, answered from bottom of river:
O my brother Ivanoushka,
A heavy stone is round my throat,
Silken grass grows through my fingers,
Yellow sand lies on my breast.
Servant overheard magic voices, crept away, told all to Husband. Together they snuck back to river, overheard weeping, singing. Husband recognized wife’s voice, ordered men to drag nets through river. They recovered Alenoushka’s body, bathed her, dressed her in white clothes. She awoke, embraced lamb, who changed back to brother Vanoushka; all praised God and wept with joy. Husband turned out witch, who went shrieking away into deep woods.
Husband, Alenoushka, Vanoushka all lived happily together eating white bread, honey and milk.
Here's one of the bare
bones from Volume 2, Russia:
#12 - Sadko
(from Old Peter’s Russian Tales)
Rich merchant in Novgorod lost all his money, died, leaving son, Sadko, penniless.
Sadko played dulcimer at dances, earned only a few kopeks. Strong, handsome,
blond and blue-eyed, he was bored; could not dance with pretty girls because
he had no money to marry. No Novgorod girl longed for Sadko; they only issued
orders for him to play so they could dance with their wealthy boyfriends. Poor
Sadko—all alone with his dulcimer.
He loved to play music on banks of little river Volkhov or nearby lake, watching
pale mists rise over water at dawn and sunset. He loved river, helped fishermen,
earned fish for supper. One night he watched nets while fishermen went to Novgorod
to sell fish. Sadko sang love songs about lake and river; suddenly saw whirlpool
in lake with deep hollow in middle; great man with blue hair falling to his
waist, gold crown, rose out of water—Tzar of the Sea. Tzar told Sadko that
his daughters loved his music; instructed him to throw nets into water for payment;
if satisfied with reward, Sadko invited to play at green palace of the sea.
Tzar sank back into water, disappeared as waves roared. Sadko cast out nets;
played, sang until moon glowed; pulled in nets, nothing, but at last moment
pulled in huge coffer full of precious jewels. After hiding coffer, he continued
playing, singing, while deciding what to do.
Next morning, fishermen returned, gave Sadko little fish for his efforts; he
cooked and ate fish as always, knowing it was his last meal as poor man. He
hoisted coffer on shoulders, entered Novgorod, sold some jewels, set up shop,
soon became rich trader. Now all girls longed for Sadko with his golden hair,
blue eyes. He did not change; played his dulcimer and sang every night by his
river. Sighed: “There is no girl in all Novgorod as pretty as my little
river.” The river was his sweetheart.
For 12 years unmarried Sadko bought, sold, near and far, got richer, richer;
many a pillow wet with tears of sweet young girls who longed for him. Always,
he threw jewelry as gifts into river he loved. In twelfth year, in Caspian Sea,
Sadko sat on deck of ship singing of his river; suddenly, ship stopped in middle
of sea; more sails hoisted, wind strong, but ship did not move, only shivered,
creaked, groaned. Sailors drew lots to find unlucky one to throw overboard;
Sadko drew shortest piece of string. Sailors cursed him; he willingly took dulcimer,
jumped overboard, sank, ship shot forward, flew over waves like swan’s
feather, straight to nearest harbor.
Waves closed over Sadko’s head; he sank to bottom of sea, arrived at palace
built of shipwrecked timbers, guarded by two giant sturgeons. Tzar greeted Sadko,
requested him to sing; Sadko played and sang of little river Volkhov, of winds
whistling over lake, ripples of water on shore. The underwater palace rang with
his music, stirring all the sea creatures. Tzar rose, towered like mountain;
he danced! Tzar offered his 30 daughters to Sadko, promising to make him Prince
of the Sea. But Sadko said he loved his river more than any maiden. 29 lovely
maidens passed by to no avail; but 30th captured his heart with her dark hair,
eyes shining like stars reflected in his river. The girl’s name was Volkhov;
like his river; she wore a necklace he had thrown into river; he discovered
she had saved all the gifts he had given river. They kissed, married by Tzar.
On wedding night, Princess made him promise to remember her always, to play
and sing to her sometimes. That night he touched her with his left foot, found
her cold as ice in January; he awoke near Novgorod with one foot in river. Ever
after, Sadko wandered near river, playing, singing. Some say he plunged into
water, seeking his Princess; some say he found her and huge storms arise when
Sadko plays and sings in the deep sea—and Tzar of the Sea dances.
Stories
that are Funny • Surprising • Adventurous • Poignant • Imaginative
• Thought-provoking
DETAILS:
Size: 8-1/2
x 11
Spiral bound
Plastic covers front and back
38 detailed story skeletons from Russia from the late 1800s on
Glossary of Russian words
Breakdown of Themes/Motifs
Keyword Index
Clip Art (b/w) of Russian illustrations from 1919
Includes one FREE 5 x 7 glossy print ready to frame (you
have a choice between two illustrations)
Price: $15.00 plus shipping
| You get your choice of a 5x7 glossy print ready to frame: BABA-YAGA |
or... FIREBIRD |
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